This is an important and powerful book in which Jerome, who was 12 years old, a young black boy playing with a toy gun, was shot by a white police officers. It pulls in some other cases, but most specifically the one of Emmett Till. The author portrays feelings and perspectives from a group of characters. I think it will be a book that many kids will read, and hope that it will lead to conversation, empathy, and maybe even changes in attitudes or even action.

This story about an unarmed African American boy who is shot to death in a park by a police officer is topical and interesting, but Parker Rhodes weaves history and current events in a powerful story about race relations and the potential for change. I can't recommend this one highly enough.

This is a powerful and timely story. Each point of view is represented- Jerome, his friend, Carlos, his sister, the cop, and even the cop’s daughter. The story does not point blame which reinforces the hope that the story will bring about discussion, understanding, and forgiveness.