This book was heartbreaking to read, especially after the summer of 2020. It remains a very important account of Black families' experiences with police in America. Important read.

Reading this story, written by his parents, in their own words, with their first person recollections of events, from when they first heard the news through the trial itself, you can't help but acutely feel the injustice of this all over again. It is a heartbreaking read, and I keep putting it down because it pulls no punches, it walks you through what they said and heard as they accepted this horrible event and tried to move forward through it. But even as I put it down, because it was just too hard to read after yet another shooting or unnecessary death, I also kept going back to it and felt encouraged remembering where this movement really began, how important it is, and why some seem determined to re-label groups like Black Lives Matter as “terrorist” groups or football players taking the knee as “anti-American” for their own partisan reasons while ignoring the real reason for protest.

I had started reading this book as a NetGalley ARC and set it aside because I thought the parents were trying too hard to present their son as a saint. I did not feel Trayvon's life needed sanctification, his death was unjustified regardless of his past.

I purchased a copy of the book after reading The Hate U Give. Ironic that a fictionalized account would lead me back to this nonfiction, but the author of that book highlighted how the media and law enforcement agencies dig through the victims' background to paint a scarier picture.

I am glad I read it. I am still in shock that the killer was set free, but reading about how the prosecutors did not push hard enough it is easy to see why. The killer is a vile man whose actions after the murder make is obvious he is repulsive. Nonetheless, the death of Trayvon Martin in rife with injustice and miscarriages of justice.

Trayvon's parents want his son's legacy to live on and I know he will. I #SayHisName in my classroom, along with other victims of #WalkingWhileBlack and #DrivingWhileBlack . If you want to expand your knowledge of his life, death, and the birth of a movement; read this book and keep him alive in your thoughts, words, and actions.

I began reading REST IN POWER by Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin this past Sunday, Feb. 5th on what coincidentally would have been Trayvon Martin's 22nd birthday. He was killed in 2012 just a few weeks after turning 17 and this story, told in alternating chapters by his parents, tells of the days before the shooting and the trial afterwards. Readers will be moved by the understated tone and calm presentation of Trayvon's story and his parents' efforts to not forget and to find meaning in his death. They say REST IN POWER was written "in the hope for healing, for bridging the divide that separates America, between races and classes, between citizens and the police."

This message clearly resonated with Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy, who noted, "Not since Emmett Till has a parent's love for a murdered child moved the nation to search its soul about racial injustice and inequality. Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin's extraordinary witness, indomitable spirit and unwavering demand for change have altered the dynamics of racial justice discourse in this country. This powerful book illuminates the witness, the grief, and the commitment to reform that Trayvon Martin's death has mobilized; it is a story fueled by a demand for justice but rooted in love."

REST IN POWER received starred reviews from both Booklist and Kirkus.

The online review continues with comments on THE BLOOD OF EMMETT TILL by Timothy B. Tyson, also recently released.

Five years ago, a neighborhood watch volunteer shot and killed seventeen-year-old Trayvon Martin as he was walking back to the residence he was staying at with his father. The shooter was quickly released, but Trayvon's parents fought to have him tried in a court of law: "We’re not looking for revenge. We’re looking for justice—the same justice anyone would expect if their son were shot and killed for no reason.” They won their day in court and the battle played out in both in the media and the courtroom. The shooter maintained he was acting in self-defense. The trial lasted twenty-four days and ended with a "not guilty" verdict.

The chapters alternate between the writing of Trayvon's mother Sybrina Fulton and his father Tracy Martin. They've been divorced for many years, but they maintain a close relationship and have supported each other during this tragedy. There's occasional overlap in their stories, but it was helpful to read both their perspectives. Most of the book is devoted to the time period between the evening of Trayvon's death on February 26, 2012 to the verdict on July 13, 2013. They give us a fuller portrait of the son that never had the chance to grow into adulthood, an adventurous young man who had an interest in aviation. It's very thorough, giving a clear picture of what was happening at the time, as well as their reactions. I thought it was surprisingly candid, given the parental perspective. They write about the difficult questions asked during the deposition and Sybrina talks about the painful realization that the state hadn't proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. They address many of the controversies and rumors that arose, including the pictures used by the media, Trayvon's texting history, and the controversial testimony of their star witness Rachel Jeantel.

So many out-of-the-ordinary events lined up to result in this tragedy. There are so many questions that will never be answered. The altercation happened on a rainy evening which muddied the eyewitness accounts, which are already notoriously unreliable. Of the two people who know exactly what happened, only the shooter is alive to tell their account. Trayvon's parents describe their journey to find answers and get justice: the building of a movement to bring the case to trial, gratitude for the opportunity to have their case heard, their personal reactions to the grueling legal process, frustrations with the prosecution's strategy, the sinking feeling of defeat, and their efforts to help others who have gone through similar tragedies. While the media coverage played a large part in the pressure to bring the case to trial, having their personal tragedy becoming national news also had a negative side. There were vicious attacks on the characters of Trayvon and his parents and passionate support for the shooter. False stories and mischaracterizations still circulate about the case and distract from the central issues.

If Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things made an impact on you, I recommend reading this book. Rest in Power is a real-life account of how far lawyers will go to avoid mentioning race and how damaging the consequences of mentioning it can be in the courtroom and with public opinion. It also addresses racial prejudice in jury pools and the challenges of ensuring a fair trial. There was a sickening moment during jury selection where a potential juror stated that "Trayvon would be alive today if his father was involved in his life,” a statement that was clearly based on prejudice and speculation rather than fact. In terms of the initial investigation, it seems that the police made assumptions about what type of this case was and it wasn't as fully investigated as it could have been. The shooter was taken at his word, despite the suspicions of the investigating detective.

I jumped at the opportunity to read this book, because I've never stopped thinking about this case. We have no way of knowing exactly what happened that night, but it seems very clear that there was ample opportunity for that evening not to end with Trayvon Martin's death. While I was already familiar with most of the details on a surface level, it was enlightening to read the parents' perspectives and it brought me to tears several times. It had me crying from the introduction! Unfortunately, this story does not stop with Trayvon. Stories like his have made the news frequently, including the murder of Jordan Davis (his killer is currently serving life without parole after a retrial). Trayvon's parents continue to keep their son's name alive through the Trayvon Martin Foundation, an organization that works to prevent similar tragedies from happening and offers support to those who've been affected by gun violence.

Living in Australia I was not aware of the Trayvon Martin case.   Having just finished reading  Rest In Power the book written by Trayvon's parents, Sybrina Fulton & Tracy Martin, following his senseless death in 2012 I have a strong desire to know more.  

Trayvon was a 17 year old African American boy, walking from the local shop and returning to the place he was staying at when he was shot and killed.    The book tells of Sybrina & Tracy's experiences in learning of their sons death and subsequently trying to bring justice for him.   As a mother I could only imagine the horrors they had experienced, the anger, the sorrow.     It made for heartbreaking reading.     Several passages brought me close to tears but there were a couple that really stood out for me.    Whilst it may have appeared to be an example of racial profiling  that lead to his murder,  Sybrina indicated it was not about black and white but about right and wrong.      Toward the end of the book they quoted President Obama's words, spoken at a press conference after the verdict was passed.    His words made me admire the man who has just finished his term as American President and somewhat fearful of what might transpire under the new one.    

As I was reading I was impatient to know the outcome of the trial.  This was indeed a powerful story.  I felt their frustration and was inspired by their faith and their willingness to turn their loss into an opportunity to help others.    I admired what they set out to achieve, I hope they are successful and trust that five years on they are finding a way to fill the gap left by the loss of their beloved son.

Many thanks to the publishers Spiegel & Grau together with NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rest in Power by Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin tells the heartbreaking story of their 17 year old, murdered son. I think everyone in the world has heard about the tragic death of Trayvon Martin. I remember hearing about hit right after it happened. The international media covered it though I didn’t get to know about the facts about the case but I definitely knew the name Trayvon Martin.

The book begins with background stories on Sybrina and Tracy. We get to learn about how they met all the way to Trayvon’s birth. Through the pages, we also get to learn about the events that took place on that day when the young man’s life was violently ended just a few meters from his house. The story is narrated is through the two POV’s and this made it even tougher to read because as a reader, I experienced the two narrator’s grief. I can’t even imagine just how much pain his parents went through. I learned about how they found out about their son’s death and how their worlds were shattered in one evening.
One thing that struck as being odd is how the police broke the news to Tracy. Trayvon’s dad had filed a missing person’s report after Trayvon failed to come back home after going to the store. The police then came over and showed him a photo of his son lying dead on the grass and asked him to make identification. I can’t even imagine what he went through at that moment. This just felt wrong. I don’t know the procedures followed there but that must have been devastating. I was also angered by the focus on the victim during the investigation. A young man is killed and the investigation starts with a background check to establish whether he has a criminal past? Why? The character assassination was devastating to his parents. There were a lot of heartbreaking incidents throughout the book.

The marches, protests, media campaigns following the death of Trayvon are covered through the chapters. Through it all, we get to learn about his parents fight for justice even as they went through the devastation of having lost their son. The book gives detailed insight into the trial in the final chapters. The part that stood out the most for me was about Rachel’s testimony. She was Trayvon’s friend who was the last person that he spoke to before he died. He was actually on the phone with her when he got killed. I felt sorry for Rachel especially when I went online and read the comments that people made about her after the trial.

There is a lot that I can say about this book but I think it is better if you read it for yourself. I definitely recommend Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin by Sybrina Fulton, Tracy Martin to everyone.

I remember when I first heard about Trayvon Martin and was saddened and enraged by this story of injustice. Shortly after I attended a Million Hoodie March event, which ignited a Anti-Racism Network in my city. I became involved in that organization, which is still active in one of the local housing projects and works with residents and law enforcement to promote peace and nonviolence. Trayvon Martin's story isn't the first of its kind and it certainly hasn't been the last, but what happened to Trayvon sparked a movement and helped wake up America to how much racism and injustice still persists today. The impact lives on, like with the organization in my community.

When I found out Trayvon's parents wrote a book, I knew it would be a gut-punch, but also that I had to read it. From the first sentence I had tears in my throat. In the days I read this book I was always on the verge of crying because Trayvon's story has always stayed with me and this book brought it to life in a whole new way. I know Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin's story will stay with me for a long time.

The book is written by both Trayvon's mother and father, told in alternating chapters, and follows the aftermath and trial. The writing isn't always spectacular, but the tone and story are heart-wrenching and extraordinary. The book is both difficult to read and put down. Overall it's a very strong portrayal of the tragedy behind Trayvon's death and George Zimmerman's trial, and I'd argue essential reading.