This is a powerful, multi generational book that is perfect for the disturbing times we are living in. I was connected and invested in the characters and was happily surprised by the ending. It was unexpected but truly not where you see this book going when you start reading it. Books about strong black women are always a win for me.

This book was not my favorite. I appreciate the message it was trying to send but the book could have been split into 3 separate books. It felt disjointed. The twist took away from what I believe was the central message in the story. And the constant switching of narrators was confusing and interfered with the novel's flow.

Thanks to NetGalley and InkYard Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

When middle daughter and straight-A student, Kezi is tragically killed by police, her family is left grasping to accept her death. How could this happen to their daughter and sister? As surviving sisters, Genny and Happi decide to head out on a trip mapped out by Kezi, they examine key relationships, prejudice, and the grief of losing someone that you love.

This YA novel had me hooked from the very beginning and although I haven't read the debut novel by the author sisters, I certainly want to ensure that happens in the future. As the storyline began to accelerate I was fearful that we wouldn't have a resolution but the ending was indeed fantastic.



Goodreads review 11/02/21
Publication Date 05/01/21

#OneOftheGoodOnes #NetGalley

Kezi Smith was a high-achieving teen activist and youtube personality, until her mysterious death on her eighteenth birthday while in police custody. Now her younger sister, Happi, and older sister, Genny, are going on the road trip Kezi planned to celebrate her graduation. Featuring stops and points of interest from the The Negro Motorist Green Book, a book published to help African Americans travel safely in the Jim Crow era, the sisters plan to film a series of videos to post to Kezi’s channel in their sister’s honor, finishing the project she lovingly planned for the three of them.

A lot of my thoughts and feelings about this book are tied up in the twist that the publisher’s blurb teased, so my actual review will be limited to avoid spoilers. My best descriptors for the book are intense and powerful. Plan on it bringing up some heavy questions, either in your own internal response or in discussions about the book. Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by this writing team was fantastic, but with One of the Good Ones the Moulite sisters have done something incredible for the moment we are all living in. Strongly recommended.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

While reading this book I had a nightmare of my own sister dying, which made me think of the trauma and grief we all experience and is captured so eloquently in One of the Good Ones. This book teaches so much about black history and our current views on justice without ever feeling preachy or like a problem novel. A major accomplishment.

This is 100% one of my favorite books of the year. I love the portrayal of complicated sister dynamics and the way history is woven throughout the book. If you like books with unique structures and/or multiple POVs and timelines, you will love this book. I will absolutely recommend this book to my teens. Great for fans of Angie Thomas and Tiffany Jackson.

"I know that existing as a human being on this earth should be enough to deserve respect and justice. But it isn't. Instead, we focus on those we deem worthy, for whom we allow ourselves to feel the weight of their loss. We mention potential not reached or promise a f greatness gone unfulfilled, while others are erased from existence all together.
But we are more than the good ones.
We are the bad ones.
We are the okay ones.
We are the amazing ones.
We are the nothing-to-write-home about one. We are the beautiful one.
We are just...ones"
This a powerful passage that sums up the theme of this book. I attended a virtual book event in which the authors discussed the book. I enjoyed and would recommend this book. The book is told in different perspectives days before and since the arrest, a moments important event. Kezi, Happi, and Genny are sisters and our main characters. Kezi is an influencer with YouTube followers. She had planned a road trip using the Green book. Her sisters and friends embark on this trip in her memory. I love the themes, connections of past, present, and family histories. I liked the slow reveals and twists.

This book was so close to being perfect...but then I feel like the story went in too many directions and didn't feel cohesive. It's like 60% was great, 30% was an interesting direction, and 10% was...I'm not sure what.

The main story gives the book its title. When a tragedy strikes, people looking at it make a decision as to whether or not the people involved were 'one of the good ones,' and therefore worthy of being mourned or fought for, or really weren't in that good group and, well, what did they expect? It's an excellent point. Aren't all of us worthy of respect and care?

And then there's the internet safety portion of the book. From there, it got a little far fetched, I thought, with the relationships between the families. I mean, I guess it could have been like that, but it felt like a stretch.

At first I was raving about this book, but by the end, I had to amend my suggestion a little. Without spoilers. I hope I did it justice.

My thanks to Inkyard Press/Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You’re one of the unfortunate ones if you have not yet picked up a copy of One of the Good Ones by the sister-writer duo Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite. In their YA novel, they craftily weave an intergenerational story of sisterhood, racial trauma, respectability politics, and systemic racism into a digestible, heartfelt, and touching indictment of what it means to navigate blackness in America.

But, wait, hold up, the sisters don’t just stop there. They give us so much to chew on in this novel because our young black and brown women face issues at an alarming rate that put them at risk for depression, anxiety, and suicide that need to be addressed. Furthermore, the book takes on the black church and its indictment on homosexuality as well. One of the Good One does not hold anything back and it shouldn’t because our young adults must stand up and speak out against the things affecting their right to exist as full beings. This novel speaks to their ability to be just that: HUMAN.

In One of the Good Ones, the characters Kezi, Happi, and Genny allow us to breathe in the beauty of sisterhood while also fathoming the bone-chilling remembrance of the past and the reality of American prejudice. We all deserve humanity—black lives matter—the novel reminds us: “I pause at the ones who have made their marks in our society through the grave, through their ashes drifting in the wind, through their bodies in the rivers, necks on the line. Something was taken from them. Life was stolen from them.”

I did not expect this book to go where it did, but I love it. This definitely feels like it should be a must read for everyone, just like The Hate U Give. Fabulous book.

WHY DID I LISTEN TO ONE OF THE GOOD ONES BY MAIKA MOULITE AND MARITZA MOULITE?
Honestly, I ended up listening to One Of The Good Ones by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite because I stumbled across the audiobook on Hoopla rather than physically read it. And straight up, I do not regret that decision one little bit. Overally, I had picked up this book to read because I am trying to prioritize reading books that are both MORE diverse and books that interest me (there’s a huge overlap between interesting and diversity for me). I am so glad I took a chance and listened to this book because it’s one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to in awhile.

WHAT’S THE STORY HERE?
One Of The Good Ones follows sisters Happi and Genny whose other sister Kezi died under mysterious circumstances after being arrested attending a Black Lives Matter rally. Happi and Genny take a road trip following an itinerary Kezi left behind which uses a guidebook called the Negro Motorist Green Book. Basically, it points out attractions for Black people as well as Black Owned businesses and safe places to stop. The narrative then also includes another young woman who is trying to make it in LA as an actress.

The book explores how the people who pass away due to police brutality and racialized incidents can be perceived. Kezi was a Youtube social justice star. She made excellent grades. Her family seemed like a good family too. So, Kezi is perceived as One Of The Good Ones. Which is in contrast to how some people are perceived as criminals or “thugs” because they maybe committed one little crime or weren’t raised in the same economic class. But still, ultimately the differentiation is racist. And whether someone is “good” or “bad” shouldn’t factor into whether they get to live when interacting with police or not.

HOW DID I LIKE ONE OF THE GOOD ONES?
I know we aren’t super far into 2021, but I feel fully confident in saying that One Of The Good Ones by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite is one of the best books I’ve read this year. Each character is wonderfully written and has interesting character development and progression. There were a few things that I did not see coming. Oh, and there is a huge twist. I saw that some people were divided on the twist. For me, I liked that it took this book into a different genre, almost, but still allowed for exploration of the core message. Oh, and I felt like the twist really made this book stand out to me as well.

The relationship between Kezi, Happi, and Genny is complex. It’s also well written and one of the best factors of this book. As someone with sisters, I love a good sister story. This book does that piece so well, especially during the road trip that Happi and Genny take.

HOW’S THE NARRATION?
The audiobook of One Of The Good Ones has three narrators – Bahni Turpin, Carolyn Smith, and Jordan Cobb. It is 9 hours and 49 minutes long. This audiobook goes by so fast. Like, I was so absorbed in the story and what was happening. There is not one weak link among the three narrators. All three sound different. They narrate their chapters to perfection. This is one audiobook that you seriously cannot miss. It will have you thinking and considering and examining. Plus you will be so sucked into the plot and the twist – hanging onto every word. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

The story alternates between two sisters, Happi and Kezi. Kezi, a passionate social advocate, who is killed while attending a social justice protest, sparking anger and outrage over police brutality and injustice. Happi is her younger sister and is working through the grief and loss of losing her sister. I did not get a chance to finish reading the entire novel before it was archived but what I did read (more than half) was so good! The characters were genuine, raw, and real. My emotions were all over the place while reading. I will definitely be purchasing this book so that I can finish it and share with others!

Thanks to NetGalley, Maika & Maritza Moulite, and Inkyard Press for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.

I finished this book and had no words to describe how I feel about it. Of course, this is a good thing, because all I want to do is yell “PLEASE READ THIS BOOK, IT’S AMAZING AND YOU’LL LOVE IT!” The book in question this time is One of the Good Ones, written by sisters Maika and Maritza Moulita.

The book follows the story of Kezi, a Black teen activist, who is arrested and killed. The story flips back and forth between different perspectives, and also goes back and forth from “before” and “after” the arrest. You see a glimpse of her life before her death, and how her family grieves and processes the tragic event afterwards.

I’ll admit I was a bit confused by all the back and forth, and various characters, but it does come together. Everything will make sense once the twist is revealed, and !!!!!, I did NOT see this one coming. It literally made me scream out loud; I was shocked and horrified and also hopeful at the same time.

One of the Good Ones tells an incredible story, and discusses racism, activism, the Black Lives Matter movement, and themes of grief, loss, and hope. It’s a powerful, important story, and I hope it finds its way into the hands of many readers.

If you’re looking for a book that covers social justice themes, has a wicked twist, or will challenge you to think, add this one to your list.

Thank you Harper Collins Canada for a digital review copy via NetGalley. One of the Good Ones by Maika and Maritza Moulita came out on January 5, 2021, and can be purchased wherever books are sold.

I’m here to write about a new YA book out this month that was a fantastic read — One of the Good Ones. This story, told in several different voices and across time, centers on three sisters and the ties that bind them. Middle sister Kezi is a social media influencer and social activist when she is arrested during a protest. Her family is told that she has died in police custody when a fire breaks out at the jail where she is held. Happi, the youngest, is striving to be an actress and her tensions run hot with her sisters and her family. She is self-centered and strong and determined to succeed. Reeling from Kezi’s death, the remaining two sisters decide to head out on a road trip that Kezi had planned using the “Green Book” for Black motorists published in the first half of the 20th century. This book provided a guide to “safe stops” for Black motorist and their families seeking gas, food, and lodging while driving through America (on Route 66) in the days of segregation and sundown towns. I found this fascinating as this was based in fact – a fact that I did not know. This story has peaks and valleys and subplots and also some twists and suspense. I can’t say more without spoilers, but I’d highly recommend it to high schoolers and adults who enjoy YA (like me!). There is so much to talk about regarding racism, prejudice, and the overarching issues of how we blame the victim or turn them into a martyr. This was a thoughtful and provoking read.

Thank you for having me be part of the tour and for my review e-copy!

A beautiful novel that touches on the current issues we as African-Americans still face today. The voices of the characters and the writing was executed extremely well. Especially the book was written from multiple characters POV. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I was so impressed with the building of this story and the dynamics of the characters. This novel highlights the importance of standing up for what is right. One of the Good Ones speaks on police brutality and systemic racism, US history (the non whitewashed version), lynching, slavery. I loved learning more about the Green Book, and how important it had been to Black people traveling through the South during the Jim Crow era. Kezi is killed under suspicious circumstances in police custody the day of her 18th birthday after she is arrested when she participates in a march against police brutality. She already had an established YouTube channel where she documented topics ranging from police brutality to racist teachers. Kezi had two sisters, Genny, and Happi, as well as loving, albeit somewhat overpowering, parents, and two very close friends, Ximena and Derek, amongst others. When Kezi dies the family tries to pick up the pieces of their lives, but as we can all imagine, this type of trauma is not one that can be hidden and forgotten. I love the fact that this novel was written for YA because this is truly an impactful story and came at a great time.

At first, I was unsure of this book. It seemed like a lesser version of The Hate U Give and I couldn’t get into it in the first few chapters but I’m so glad I pushed through because it was beyond worth it. The story intertwines multiple themes and storylines from the 1930s/1940s to modern day and how generations of a family can shape the present and the future. The story tackles issues such as social justice, racism, LGBTQ rights, first amendment rights, and the inner conflict of growing up in a religious household while forming ones own opinions.

The story had lots of plot twists and was historically factual while also being captivating. The characters were very complex and had you empathizing with them at every turn, even when Happi was being her stubborn and flippant self. This story really has it all from bringing to light important issues to including jaw dropping edge of your seat plot twists. I really enjoyed that the book included the perspectives of Shaqueria, Evelyn, Kezi and Happi and how it brought all of them together flawlessly in the end. I think it would have been very interesting to also see Genny’s perspective and I would love to see a second book just about her because her character seems very multifaceted.

The only reason I am giving this a four star and not a five star was because the beginning seemed a little disorganized and was slow to grab my attention. This story seems like it’s a story of a girl whose life was taken too early by police brutality and the suffering that was caused in the wake of her premature death but there is MUCH more to this story. Get ready for a wild ride.

“‘Stop resisting!’ they shouted. Even though I lay as still as a body of water on a cold winter day, as death. I didn’t fight as they dug their knees into my back, as they pushed my head down, as they broke my spirit. All I could do was cry, the noise that erupted from my body an ancient sound, one of pain, loss, hopelessness.”


It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that I loved this much and there are seriously no words that would do this book justice. I could not put this book down that I was reading it during my lectures and meetings and while I was supposed to be writing a paper.

The authors address extremely important issues including racism, homophobia, and police brutality in a very thought-provoking approach. At times it was a little heavy that I needed to take a break but it is so well written that it pulls you in and only leaves you wanting more.

I loved the characters and truly felt connected to all of them. I loved that it was told from different perspectives and timelines. The way that each relationship connected was really enjoyable. I have to say though, there is a lot going on but everything connects and comes together beautifully.

This is a very important read that I think everyone should pick up. I truly wish I had a book like this when I was a teenager because it would’ve taught me so much of what I should’ve already known at that age. It is heartwarming but also heartbreaking. The characters will stay with you and you’ll feel so connected to them. There is a twist which shocked others but sadly I saw it coming (I hate that about me). I kind of found the twist a little too much but it did keep me hooked! I also did feel that the ending was a little rushed and I wanted more but that just might be because I get too attached to characters. Overall I highly recommend this and look forward to read more books by the Moulite sisters!

This is exceptional. The Moulite sisters are excellent writers, bringing together pieces of stories that I, though not most, have read about before: the Black woman's experience in America, activism and how it can go sideways, the Green Book, the terrorism of Black communities (both currently and historically), the potential pitfalls of existing in an online space. But the way it's done, with multiple narrators and timelines coming together to create a whole is different than than all of those other stories.

And the "twist" is worth staying unspoiled for, truly.

What an incredible read to start out the year with!

*spoilers*
This book feels like two separate books to me. I went into to it knowing that the MC, Kezi Smith’s death, would be the centerpiece of the book, as she attended a BLM protest that went sideways and that the book would focus on the aftermath of the friends and family grieving along with commentary on police brutality.

BUT this book was so much more than that.

Part one has multiple chapter perspectives with flashbacks to the Smith family’s ancestors dealing with racism, white violence, and particularly the lynching of a family member that really affects the trajectory of the family and the present day descendants.

Part two however, brings that trajectory back around for the karmic retribution and closure that, for me, was completely unexpected and where the book goes from a book about BLM and the grieving loved ones left behind after a person has been murdered by the police, to a mystery and story of retribution and karmic balancing.

The depiction and exploration of grief, loneliness, and feelings of regret that Happi, the youngest sister, felt in the face of such a loss was beautiful and felt deeply personally for me, as someone who also lost a sibling recently and with whom my own relationship was fraught and at times tenuous. I also really loved how the religious tensions between pastor parents and rebellious daughters was shown.

The writing was sharp, the characters fully formed and written in all their flawed beauty, and I couldn’t put it down.

I also really loved how the authors explored what “one of the good ones” meant in a variety of contexts that showed how society places value on people, particularly black people, only when they fit the criteria that white society has stated makes some one “a good one” ie that they were making good grades, went to college, had a job, or stayed out of trouble. But the authors make a point to show how flawed and dehumanizing this standard, and frankly racist, classist, sexist, anti-queer, etc that this can be, and how all humans regardless of their race, gender, orientation, accomplishments, degrees, where they were raised, etc should be valued as humans whose lives are both precious and valuable.

Part two and the ending really came out of left field a bit for me and made the book feel like two separate books in some ways. There were definite ties that brought both halves together but the switch to a mystery/thriller from a reflective commentary was a little jarring at first.
The twist did feel like it took away some from the legitimate and raw depiction of the special grief one feels when someone has been murdered by the state without consequences to the officers involved, and in which most families usually never get closure. However, I loved both parts a lot and it was probably the twist that made the book truly memorable for me.

Overall, it was an absolute 5/5 and a book that I will definitely recommend for others in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

I love the perspective of this story. It's not often enough that we dive into the story of the ones that were left behind in the wake of tragedy. We are all affected when racist action leads to a death, but the aftermath of the media sensationalism on the families of the victims, is a necessary viewpoint.

Maritz Moulite does a brilliant job drawing the reader into the familial change that happens in the wake of such a tragedy. She also expands our capacity for ongoing empathy.

Loved this book!