I would read this with 11/12 graders due to language but you could use many of these poems in the classroom, Marshall has a way of inviting you in to his poems without sacrificing the authenticity that rings in them.
For example, I am a white lady in Florida. I do not know every slang word he references when speaking of Chicago, but I can appreciate the poem and realize that I am not the intended audience for every poem. I think this collection will speak to many young Black students in ways that others texts will not.

I always feel like I'm taking a chance when I read a poetry collection. If I'm not lucky I find myself twelve layers deep in metaphor with my eyes glazing over and no idea what the poet was going for. That is not this book. This poetry doesn't pull the punches and it's great.

This was absolutely gorgeous. I think I highlighted more phrases than I thought possible. There were so many moments that stuck with me as special, and the collection of poems flowed beautifully throughout the book. I could feel the connection between the author and history and setting, and I loved every moment of it.

Expanding on themes of racism, history, vernacular, and relationships, this book left a lasting impact even after I put it down. The approach to language and repetition, especially when it came to names, really drilled in the importance of what we say and how we say it.

I'll be recommending this to everyone I know and likely re-reading it ASAP.