If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur

If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I loved Kiran and Sahaara's voices as they relate their stories in prose, poetry and illustrations! The author, Jasmin Kaur weaves an all to real plot about being undocumented, sexual assault, fear, and deep seated anxiety. Kiran is Sahaara's mom, an undocumented immigrant. She never speaks of what happened to her daughter, but the reader knows Kiran was raped, thrown away by her mother who labels her a liar, and arrives in Canada to begin college. Staying with her aunt, Kiran reveals to her mother and aunt, she is pregnant. Her aunt will not help her and go against the Punjabi family rules and Kiran's awful mother does not believe her and blames her. Kiran wants to keep the baby and her mother orders her to get an abortion. Kiran wants something of her own, not to be judged as less than and with this in mind, Kiran confides in her friend, Joti, and Joti and her mother take her in where she lives in a real family (that she has never known) of strong, loving women and Sahaara has a best friend in Jeevan and a love of art as the best way to express herself. I ached as I read the lives of this mother and daughter; so many mysteries, secrets, and questions silenced. I could not put this deep examination of what it is to be a woman who does not matter in a man's world that includes lies. I loved being a part of Kiran and Sahaara's journeys and urge adults as well as young adults to read this story. Highly recommended!

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Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro

Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this debut book since I had seen this title on many lists and recommendations from bloggers, like Pernille Ripp. This is an urban fiction book with many diverse characters; I thought of the many diverse students in my high school and was reminded of many students and their friendships, circles, and culture. I rooted for Moss, he suffers from panic attacks and a sense of foreboding and negativity due to seeing his father shot as a youngster. His friends were all supportive of Moss as he was of them and I was so happy and surprised by his mother's unwavering love and support. The police situation and the school's attitude were unnerving and I questioned the awfulness but so much coverage in the news makes it a sickening reality and ripped from the headlines news coverage. Especially important to read is Moss's mom and her advice about Anger- "Anger is a gift. Remember that.You gotta grasp on to it, hold it tight and use it as ammunition. You use that anger ti get things done instead of just stewing in it. Trust me, y'all."

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I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina

I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, Tony Medina's graphic novel sheds a light on the Black Lives Matter Movement, racial profiling, police violence, and minorities who are senselessly beaten, attacked and murdered and no one is held accountable. I liked the foreword by Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director 0f the Equal Justice Initiative, and delves into the horrid history of being of color in America. Tony Medina's Author Note is compelling and the Real Life Ancestors who appeared in the book. But I think even more impressive are the authors (on the back cover) who sing the praises of this graphic novel, the need for all to read it, and the power of this book now! I will certainly be reading Tony Medina's Resisting Arrest book too. I read this for #yabookchat and we will be discussing this heartbreaking book Monday 2/5 at 9PM EST, come join the discussion!

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Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Dear Martin by Nic Stone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s and Crown Books for Young Readers, for the ARC, Dear Martin by Nic Stone. Debut author, Nic Stone, has crafted a realistic fiction and urban fiction novel all teens will be clamoring to read. With the ripped from the headlines news of teens being shot by police and police violence, Stone has written a powerful, hard hitting novel I could not put down. I ached for Justyce, a black teen in a mostly white prep school who is unjustly judged by a white cop; roughed up and handcuffed, as he tries to help his drunk, white girlfriend. The title, Dear Martin, comes from the letters Justyce writes to Dr. King as a project to himself, as he tries to emulate King’s style and words to sort through racism, oppression, and injustice he encounters. Justyce’s problems intensify as he becomes more and more embroiled in incidents that involve him, his school friends, and his neighborhood acquaintances. As Martin leans on friends, his debate teacher, and debate partner (love interest), he becomes more and more disillusioned. Stone’s writing, her characters, and plot were all powerful reminders that there is still a great divide in our world and she raises many valid questions about problems our society needs to solve. Justyce’s world and struggle brings many needed diverse voices and issues to all readers. Today’s teens care about the heated, frustrating questions and concerns Nic Stone tackles in her haunting debut novel. Highly recommended!

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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Debut author, Angie Thomas does a superb job of exposing the racism, frustration, & heart of Star's family, life & community in her project where she lives. But Star lives between 2 worlds because she attends a prep school where she is one of the few black students. As she lives in 2 worlds the reader sees her confusion and irritation as friends make judgments. I really loved her relationship with her white boyfriend, Chris and her family's reactions to Chris were all very different. But it is the night she rides home from a party after gunshots are fired, that changes her life forever. With her best friend, Kahlil, they are pulled over by a white officer things escalate (through no fault of their own) and her friend is shot dead. As Star grapples with losing him, she is also reminded of her best friend being shot when they were 10 years old & playing with fire hydrant spray. What will she do? Angie Thomas explores honestly & deftly injustice, police violence, families, gangs & change. I could not put this book down, highly recommended.

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All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what an emotional roller coaster! This book is unique and special because Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely collaborated on this diverse story and as a result the reader is plunged (again and again) into the moment Rashad leans down to get money from his bag and a woman accidentally falls on top of him-- when BAM, this African American ROTC teen is beaten to a pulp by a white police officer. In a ripped from the headlines news story, video is found and played continuously for days inciting anger, fury, and sympathy. Quinn happens to be there and sees Rashad being beaten by a cop who has been a father figure to him since his father died. This book reminded me of 2 other books that deal with racism, prejudice and unreliable narrators - Fade to Black by Alex Flinn and How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon. Reynolds and Kiely do an awesome job of encouraging readers to stand up to police brutality and racism and continue to work toward being aware and educating others to fight the fight.

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