Every once in awhile the hype (generally in addition to an audiobook from the library) convinces me to read a book, and that’s what happened with Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles, but I’m glad it did. This is the story of Marvin, a teenage boy whose brother Tyler is involved with some bad people and goes missing after a party. The synopsis tells you this is because he has been killed by the police, and my major issue with the book is that you get two thirds into the book before that happens.

I really appreciated the complexity of Marvin, his journey is incredibly interesting and thought-provoking. Some of the other characters lacked the same complexity as Marvin and I think the writing could still use some improvement, but I really enjoyed the audiobook narration and recommend that format if you’re looking to pick up the book. Coles tackles a lot of different issues in the book it is an important perspective to read from. Of course the topic makes it hard not to compare to The Hate You Give, and while the writing and the pacing means it doesn’t quite reach that level of success to me, if you’re looking for a book to read next after THUG, I’m definitely recommend Tyler Johnson Was Here.

In the era marked by police brutality and injustice to POC, especially young black men, books like Tyler Johnson Was Here can be a catalyst to conversations that need (and must) be told.

A timely and difficult topic: unarmed boys of color shot by law officers. This one is told from the perspective of a victim's brother. It explores the nuanced nature of innocence, the right way to protest, and when violence and anger are justified.

Strong story of the aftermath of police violence in communities of color. Although some plot points felt contrived, readers will feel the struggle to make sense of how to deal with this issue and find peace when there is no justice.

What a heartbreaking story! I loved all the references to past television show A Different World. The struggle of our young hero is moving and quite topical today. The terrible heartbreak of losing his twin and his struggle to be seen as a good kid. The depiction of the way the police treat him and his friends is frightening. This certainly shines a light on the the danger young black men feel in American today from our police force. I loved this book! A great read!

3.5
Although this book was extremely enjoyable and fast paced, it felt a little disjointed and too fast paced for me. A situation would happen, you would read about it for a couple pages and then just as quickly, it would be over and we’d have moved onto the next situation that was normally set days or weeks after. Because of that, I found myself not completely connected to the story because it didn’t feel like I was getting all of the information. I constantly just wanted the book to slow down a little and not rush through everything.

Furthermore, I really wish the summary didn’t reveal that Tyler was found dead seeing as how that scene wasn’t revealed in the book until it was halfway over. I found myself waiting for that moment for 150 pages when I could have been enjoying the suspense of them not being able to find Tyler.

Overall, it was an entertaining book that I think is a crucial topic to discuss in our society now, I just think there are other books that do it better.

I’d read that this book was a bit grittier than other books with similar storylines, so I was ready for that when I started reading it. I would agree with that assessment, but I don’t think that it necessarily made the MC less relatable. The story is told from the POV of Tyler’s twin brother, Marvin. Marvin realizes his brother has flaws and has gotten himself involved in some things he shouldn’t, but he also knows the person Tyler is—he knows him in a way no one else can. So, when Tyler is killed, Marvin has trouble reconciling people’s reactions—both the people who want to paint Tyler as a thug and people who want to use him as some sort of symbol of oppression. Marvin wants justice for his brother’s death. It’s personal to him, and it changes his whole outlook on life. While I thought that Marvin was a likable and relatable MC, I never really got emotional over the book like I expected to. Still, I flew through the book (which is a plus for me lately, since I feel like some of my reading has been plodding) and I was invested in the story. I enjoyed the romance aspect of the book as well—though the connection was made relatively quickly, I thought that was believable given the high emotional stakes. Sometimes tragedy can bring people together. I think this book is definitely a worthwhile read and I give it 4/5 stars.

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

I wanted to like this as much as The Hate U Give but it just bothered me a touch. Amazingly haunting story that feels all too real these days, I was irritated and actions characters would take knowing that people really do and act that way... but something holds me back from 5 stars. Still a must read.

First of all, look at this absolutely beautiful cover. I have to admit that this is what first drew me in before the premise. I was really excited to read this book because after loving THUG, I wanted something similar to that. The story follows Marvin and his twin Tyler. I really liked the dynamics of the twins so it was nice to see that story unfold. Unfortunately, after a night at a party, Tyler goes missing, only for Marvin and his family to learn later that Tyler was murdered by a white policeman. The book is incredibly timely with the race relations and political climate happening in the states. This book made me angry and sad, and definitely had me crying on a few occasions. Police brutality is very much present and this depiction of it was incredibly powerful. I think it would be a great book for fans of THUG, but also something to use in the classroom when discussing political issues. The story also has a nice focus on applying for universities, friendship, and family.

The necessary conversations and approaches to telling stories of police brutality, violence, but also hope and perseverance are important to the story but it felt cliche. There wasn't fantastic character development, beautifully heart-wrenching imagery or setting, a gripping plot, love-to-hate characters that make you want to hurt someone, instead it was a shallow.

It does not negate the story itself that needs to be told and shared. But I don't have one thing that I can really use as a talking point for the book that differentiates it from some of the others that I wished it had (though the cover is a start!)

Family plays a role that endears the characters and Marvin's experiences, but the narrative was dislocated in ways that I felt I missed something or something wasn't explained to allow me to continue to move on with the story. I needed more depth.

The first thing you should know is that the shooting doesn't take place until well into the story. It's an interesting choice that the narrative is well underway before Tyler dies. And it's clearly deliberate, because the story ends before we learn the outcome of the trial against the police officer who shot Tyler.

I mention that because what's reiterated over and over in the novel (both actually said and via subtext) is that what matters about Tyler's life is his life and not his death. Tyler Johnson was more than a hashtag and more than a cause. He was a person, and he was loved. And a lot of times, that gets incredibly lost. It's easy to focus on how someone dies, especially if that death is violent and unjust...but it's also wrong to lose sight of who the person was. 

This is an amazing, powerful story. I don't see how anyone who reads it could be unaffected. Highly recommended.

This book tries to be The Hate U Give but just falls short. Like many novels that are novels written about movements or political issues, the plot is secondary to the agenda of the author.

"Hate is too ugly of a thing for some people to acknowledge, but the thing about hate is you can't throw it on someone else without getting a little bit on yourself."

This was such a horrifically emotional read. I can't help but feel a bit helpless and hopeless in seeing what to do about the real life problems people are facing that this book portrays. It was an amazing read, and I can only hope that with stories like this, more minds can be opened to the very real world problems we still have.

Tyler Johnson Was Here--did not come to be politically correct, or racially ambiguous. Tyler Johnson came to tell an ugly truth, and made no qualms about sharing its blackness, in it's raw and true form.

Tyler Johnson Was Here is an experience I found both realistic and painful. It wasn't very verbose--or even eloquent for that matter. But, it was well-written and specific in it's story telling.

Tyler Johnson was here is about a set of twins, Tyler and Marvin. Marvin and Tyler go to a party--a shooting ensues, and Tyler goes missing. Only to later find out, Tyler was killed by a cop on his way home.

An accurate depiction, of the current race-related police brutality issue--that has plagued the African American community for some time.

What works for this novel, is not that it has some predestined plot, with very specifically placed characters--what works is that it's real.

In that regard, the story works for telling an otherwise unheard of story in a real way. Teenagers, and adults alike will feel the pangs of Marvin's grief in ways that will shatter and change you. As authors continue to approach this subject both cautiously, and incautiously, readers will be changed.

Readers will get to know each character, in an intimate way, allowing for a deeper, more intimate connection with the author, the characters and themselves. The book is genius for the fact that it will tug the heart strings--but most importantly, it will open your eyes.

As I'm finally sitting down to right this review, another unarmed black man was killed--and it's a story I feel completely confident and saddened to say won't change, until the world does. Until the world, truly understands that black lives matter--not specifically because we/they are black but in spite of it.

So many reviews talk about how much better THUG was in comparison to this book, because it was more fleshed out--and had better writing.

Please allow this novel to stand on it's own two feet--because it's strong enough do so--despite it's flaws.

THUG was good for what it was good for, but Tyler Johnson Was Here, is not meant to simply be a good novel--that people can have cups of tea, and quietly argumentative discussions of and over.

This book is the gritty version of that novel's story , the version I think people need to hear. The truth in all it's ugliness. The truth hurts but it must be told.

Let me also briefly touch on the "romance," aspect of this novel.

I am literally taking the heaviest of sighs, because I read a review that called the romance insta-lovey, and they totally missed the mark here.

Yes, there is romance that blossoms, but the initial companionship is a shared relationship based on grief. There was an understanding among the characters--loss and the feeling of being misunderstood. It was more about Marvin finding someone he could rely on for comfort, that wasn't in his immediate circle. It wasn't about love, and falling in love immediately.

Again, Tyler Johnson Was Here is a needed story. It's realistic, it's raw and unfiltered. It's not THUG.

No matter which you prefer, focus on what's important here--and that is the black lives matter movement, and the validity, and importance of black lives in general.

Read it, because it's important, because you want to--don't look to it for comparisons--and that's all.

Though I didn't enjoy this title as much as some of the recent similar titles, it is still a timely and touching book that I will be recommending to my high school students. This is the kind of book that I can give to my reluctant readers and they will come back and tell me that they actually enjoyed reading it.

A great story about family, racism, social media, and social politics. The writing was spot on and the characters were well developed. Overall, a solid read.

This book is a mix between The Hate U Give and Dear Martin. The Black Lives Matter movement is addressed as well as police brutality all in a cohesive and realistic way. The author wrote from his own experiences, so it is clear that this own voices book is personal. I highly recommend this book, and I will definitely be purchasing it for my library. The story was relevant and deep, and the only aspect I disliked was the romance that didn't add to the story.

Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles hit my radar via Twitter, I think when everyone was tweeting out the cover. FYI, that cover is PERFECT. Like, how could it not catch your eye immediately? So, I knew I had to read this book. Also, I am trying to learn more about the Black Lives Matter Movement via fiction and non-fiction. Frankly, this book with the most gorgeous cover really made me think and also check my reactions.

Here are the biases and perspectives I bring to the table while reading this book, so that we have full transparency. I am white. I live in the suburbs. My husband is a police officer as well as a commissioned officer in the military. Our social group consists of other officers – both military and police. I do not come into this book with negative connotations of BLM. However, I did come into it with my background of positive experiences with law enforcement. I want to stress that I am a white lady reviewing this book and my perspective is basically irrelevant, but I am obligated to review this book as I obtained it from Netgalley.

Jay Coles’s Tyler Johnson Was Here is about this teenager named Marvin who has a twin named Tyler. Marvin is kind of a nerd, but actually really awesome. I mean, he and his friends are really into this TV show. My name blanks on it right now. Anyways, so Marvin has these big dreams. He wants to go to MIT and major in engineering. Only his principal is a total douche and tries to prevent Marvin from achieving this dream. Meanwhile, Marvin’s brother is kind of drifting from him. He’s hanging out with this guy named Johntae who is not really a savory character. One night, Marvin and his two friends go to a party along with Tyler. The party gets busted. Marvin and Tyler get separated and that is the last Marvin sees of Tyler. And so, the book grapples with where it is that Tyler went. Of course, we all know what happened because it is on the jacket copy.

Marvin’s journey is SO interesting. I mean, he has a lot to grapple with. He’s thinking about his father who is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s worrying about his brother. Also, Marvin is trying to decide if he is making the right choices for his future. For awhile, MIT seemed like the best choice. Yet, is that because it is a white school and we value white things more? There’s this shift in Marvin as a person when he begins to think about Howard and sets his sights on that school. There’s a lot to unpack and think about and discuss.

I feel like Tyler Johnson Was Here really adds something unique and new to books that examine the lived experiences of Black teenagers. Straight up, this book caused me to really have to do the work of examining my biases and my perceptions. There were times I was reading it and could feel myself kind of pushing back a little with regards to the antagonism of law enforcement and the principal. I remember thinking, wow, that is a bit much. Then I had to stop and say to myself, no. No, this is my ingrained racism and just because I have had positive experiences, does not mean that is the reality of Black people. I think if you’re reading this book and you are white, you’re going to find yourself doing the work. By that I mean, you will examine your biases. You will question your perceptions. This is absolutely a book that will make you think and is well worth your time.

Even more raw than The Hate U Give, Tyler Johnson Was Here tells an unfortunately familiar tale of police brutality. Marvin's twin brother goes missing after a party, and video later surfaces showing his death at the hands of a police officer. Marvin tries to overcome the loss of his brother while figuring out how to move forward with his own life.

Reading this book broke my heart. It is painful to read the scenes of police brutality (before Tyler's murder) and know that this book has to be written. That this book has to tell the truth of the racism that is happening in America. This book needs to be read by so many. It's importance can't be described. I can't wait to share this book with my students!