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!

This was a pivotal read. I could not recommend this book any more. I recommend this book if you have a middle schooler, or a high-school kid and want them to learn more about activism, racial injustice & police brutality. I highly recommend this book if you would like to read an interesting, gripping and timely read that deals with issues that continue to plague this country. This book had an unexpected surprise twist at the end which I was not expecting and a lot of readers would love or not love, and that’s okay! My mind was just in awe, and I was taken aback by how stunning this book was, how exciting it was, heart pumping and just how freaking awesome it was. I was speechless. I can’t stop thinking about it. It was everything!

It deals with family, death and grief, social and racial injustice, systemic racism, internalized racism, sisterhood & friendships, it deals with LGBTQ issues as well, I mean it has it all. Great writing, a great story, a thrilling read, and a timely and pivotal book for young adults and for adults as well. Please read this book!

You can check out my full written review & YouTube review on the links below.

Thank you to Inkyard press for my arc of this beautiful read.

At first, I was really into this book. We're looking at the complexities of public grief and racism. Fame and modern protests. Families and the secrets they keep from one another. Classism. Social media. All timely topics well worth discussion and explored in a nuanced way in this plot. And I loved the use of the Green Book road trip as a method for these characters to better understand Kezi and their family history. I felt a bit betrayed by the second half of the novel, though. We never got the full exploration of that phrase "one of the good ones". I wanted to see the characters address how the media seems to value a "good kid" over another innocent.The pieces are all there but don't come together to the degree I was expecting. Even so, this is a book worth discussing in a group setting as it may prompt those conversations I expected from this narrative.

Wow! What a book! One Of The Good Ones is a must-read for everyone. It's a gripping story about family, relationships, activism, religion, and race. This book has it all - top notch writing, interesting and unforgettable characters, and an unputdownable story that will haunt you for days after. It is simply put, terrific. I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you won't want to miss out!

Written by sister duo, Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite, One Of The Good Ones, focuses on sisters, Kezi, Happi and Genny. Kezi is the activist - she's popular on Youtube, gets great grades and is set to attend a top university. Unfortunately, Kezi's life is cut short when she dies at social justice rally. Reeling from such a huge loss, Happi and Genny decide to honor Kezi' life by taking a road trip. Apparently, Kezi had mapped out a trip following a guide set out by The Negro Motorist Green Book. Of course the trip turns out to be more than a just a trip - the sisters wind up learning about so much about each other, themselves, and Kezi. And, I just LOVED reading all about their journey through grief, self-discovery, and what it means to be family. Such a great story!!

How do you know when your one of the good ones? This is a question Happi must struggle to answer after the death of her sister. Before her death, Kezi wanted to explore her history and roots by going on a cross country road trip , a trip her sisters will now take in her honor. Will they discover what makes the good ones or travel deeper into a world they will not survive. One of the Good Ones examines how society places different labels on individual based on race or culture instead of their true merits. Moulite brings the racial injustices that are current and weaves the uncomfortable feeling of self discovery from secrets kept. The book has four narratives, giving a well rounded perspective of Kezi and the road trip. Each perspective pulls the reader deeper onto the tangled web Moulite weaves. One narrative felt a little out of place for most of the plot until the very end where Moulite connects everything with an expert hand. The only caveat is the twist at the end seemed half hearted. I would have liked to see more of an invisible connection between event. While the history was there, the execution failed.

This was a really impressive debut! 4.5 stars!

This story is about Kezi and her sisters Happi & Genny. Kezi is a teen activist with a decent sized following on YouTube where she has a lot of devoted fans and admirers and one really really creepy subscriber... Kezi and her girlfriend decide to go to a peaceful protest when Kezi finds herself being wrongfully arrested. After that, her family never sees her again.

This book was such a touching, mysterious, and interesting tale that featured a lot of really great present-day social commentary. It panned out so differently than I was expecting and I love that it didn't take the route that I was expecting it to.

The ONLY thing I didn't like is that it was too short!! It wrapped up way too fast and I could've used additional chapters from the girls' ancestors to tie everything together even tighter. Otherwise, this book was great and such a gripping, realistic tale. I can't wait to see what else these authors put out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Hate You Give meets Get Out is right! One of the Good Ones follows the lives of YouTube social activist Kezi, her sisters Happi and Genny, flashbacks to 1937 to the family's matriarch Evelyn, and unrelated to the family is the narrative of aspiring actor, Shaqueria. This novel explores the concept of being "one of the good ones" many POC face as being the "exception" of your race or culture through the lens of out protagonists. After the mysterious circumstances of Kezi's death (no, not a spoiler), Happi, Genny, and Kezi's friends Ximena and Derek, go on a cross-country road trip using Kezi's itinerary and The Negro Motorist Green Book (used by Black citizens in order to identify Black owned business and lodging in order to safely travel through the US especially through sundown towns).
I absolutely loved this book: the cover, the various perspectives, the concept just *chef's kiss*. I enjoyed seeing Happi's character growth and how Shaqueria's life is interwoven with Happi's and Kezi's. Yes, this book identifies social injustice and police brutality as well as grief, identity, and the importance of recognizing the history of the US. However, ultimately, it is the story of a family's grief and loss and the journey to recovery and reconciliation. It can be difficult writing from the perspectives of so many characters, but Maika and Maritza Moulite do an amazing job of identifying each chapter's narrator as well as orienting readers to the time in relation to the major event (Kezi's arrest). I really could go on about how much I loved this book and many of the flawed characters (teenagers, amiright), but instead just go read it!

I was very excited to read the Moulite sisters’ sophomore novel, One Of The Good Ones, after enjoying their debut novel so much. This time around the story is centered around three sisters. Told in varying perspectives and through different timelines the story focuses on Happi, Kezi, and Genny. When Kezi dies after going to a social justice rally their family is shook to the core. Struggling to grieve, the remaining sisters deal with the loss and try to heal while Kezi is painted a martyr, “one of the good ones” due to her civil rights activism work .

In honoring Kezi’s memory they decide to complete her trip of visiting locations mentioned in their grandmothers Green Book. The journey brings new revelations, healing, and a sense of togetherness while remembering Kezi. This book packed a powerful punch from beginning to end and even threw in some unsuspecting twists in its narrative. It was difficult to read at times and overall had a very heavy tone. Most of all the novel unpacks important discussions about race, civil rights history, and the media. The book dismantles the notion of being labeled as “one of the good ones” and the stereotypes Black people face and how we are portrayed through what others see on media.

“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 ones. We are the beautiful ones. We are just… ones.”

Through the journey Happi and Genny learns more about their sister and becomes closer to her by learning more intimate details about her life. I think the Moulite sisters are such great writers and I love the stories they craft. I can’t wait to read more from them. This book is written beautifully and I felt connected to the text deeply. One of the Good Ones had me go through a rollercoaster ride of emotions but it was so good. I highly recommend this novel!

This book was incredibly good. There were some elements that I was not expecting and that made for an excellent read. Although the topics are heavy yet necessary, the enjoyment of the book is very high.

I’m shaking at this point. This book was absolutely amazing. Not only does it tell the story of a young teen activist and the severity of police brutality but it is a story of friendship, love, and lineage. The novel was difficult to read at times but packed a great I punch and it's definetly a worthwhile read. Not to mention that plot twist! OMG!

This books was absolutely shocking and phenomenal. So well crafted...I’m honestly rendered speechless by the plot and didn’t see the place this book went to coming at all. Great characters, great writing, one of the best plot twists I’ve ever read. Perfect for fans of Jordan Peele. The multiple narrators perfectly craft this chilling story about racism, the internet, and society.

From the author note:
“One of the good ones” is usually code for a person our country seems worthy. That importance is usually tied to level of education, income, class, zip code, gender identity and sexual orientation. If most or all of those acceptable boxes are checked, then we care.

This right here!!!

EVERY time a Black person is killed in this country a background check is done to see if they are “one of the good ones” and use that to determine if they should receive justice. When George Floyd was killed in broad daylight, folks brought up that he had a criminal record. What does one have to do with the other? You mean to tell me he deserved to die the way he did just because he had a record? I think not. Floyd deserves justice. Along with countless other unarmed black folks. Period.

Then on the other hand you have Kyle Rittenhouse who crossed TWO state lines armed with a gun and shoots up a BLM rally and they plastered his Boy Scout photo all over the internet to make him less threatening. See the difference. 😒

This book covered a lot of themes and also informed me of events in Black History that I wasn’t aware of and had me researching as well. After reading this book, I ordered a copy of The Negro Motorist Green-Book. Despite the circumstances Black folks faced we ALWAYS overcome the obstacles placed in front of us and that’s one thing I love about my people.

In their sophomore novel came swinging and held NO punches!! The authors note alone had me in my feels so I knew reading this book was going to be intense. I did find the ending to be a little rushed, but overall I really enjoyed this impactful story that made me stop, think and reflect on the stereotypes and prejudices of this country.

I had such high expectations of this book -- it was on everyone's must read list, it highlights the role of women and the LGBTQ+ community in social justice; and I am always looking for books that are both entertaining and educational for my students.

It started off great -- the writing is beautiful, character development incredible -- I could picture each of the characters easily. I thought the topics were meaningful -- everyone could identify with someone in this novel. It explores the murder of Black people by law enforcement from a very different perspective -- how the families react and cope -- which I really appreciated.

I was particularly taken with the premise that some lives, and deaths, matter more than others, and the idea that there should be no blaming the victim in instances such as these. Which is why, I think, I found the ending so disappointing. The "good one" who has been mourned by a nation survives, while the "bad one," the one who made poor choices that "led" to her imprisonment, dies, anonymously and seemingly unmissed.

That said, I look forward to discussing this with my students, to get their perspective.

Kezi Smith, a teenage vlogger and activist, was killed during a social justice rally. Her younger sister, Happi, and her older sister, Genny, are left to their grief. Kezi is called “one of the good ones,” and is recognized as an idol by the media because she wasn’t a troublemaker. Kezi had planned on doing a road trip after she finished high school along Route 66, following the guide book The Negro Motorist Green Book. Genny and Happi decide to do this trip with two of Kezi’s best friends to commemorate her life, but what they find is something only Kezi could give them.

This was a fantastic story! I already know it’s going to be one of my favourites of the year and perhaps of all time. It brings up some important questions that are timely but also have historical significance. Why are some deaths condemned because the victim was “one of the good ones”? Just because someone has made some mistakes, does that mean they deserve to be brutally murdered? Since Kezi was popular and fighting for social justice, she was called “one of the good ones,” who didn’t deserve to die as a result of the rally. That implies that the “bad ones” deserve those deaths. It also brings into question, what determines if someone is good or bad, and who makes this decision.

This book blended many different genres. There were some historical chapters, which looked back on Kezi’s ancestors and the way they were treated because they were Black. Most of the story had a contemporary setting. The final part of the story was extremely suspenseful. There were some thriller aspects which I wasn’t expecting, but they just made this story even more tense and exciting.

I could not put this book down. It had something for everyone and I believe everyone should read this book!

Thank you Inkyard Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a great introduction for teens regarding topics like police brutality, Jim Crow laws, and social justice. The authors do I great job showing the seriousness of Black history in America while making it still age appropriate. I really enjoyed reading Happi, Kezi, and Shaqueria’s different perspectives throughout the novel. It was interesting to see how they thought, or didn’t think, of themselves as “one of the good ones” and the varying timelines created suspense and drive. Part 2 was a little slow with the road trip, but the twist sucked me back in! It seemed to come a little out of left field, but it was well executed. A bit of an abrupt ending as I would’ve like to have seen Kezi reunite with her family, but overall a great read. Definitely will recommend this to those interested in reading more Black voices

Systemic racism is, well, systemic. It’s bred into the bone and built into the systems that are supposed to serve us all. Except the systems are only as good as the people who made them. And the people are flawed. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, right?

YouTuber Kezi has had enough & won’t be stopped from protesting the death of another Black man. Well-versed in the history of Black America, she is compelled to take a stand and do her part. Until she, too, becomes a victim under mysterious circumstances.

Grief envelops her family in myriad ways and coping for her younger sister comes in the form of a Black America pilgrimage that Kezi planned before her death.

I think it’s two sister authors writing together for me. The dialogue flowed—even with shifts in time and narrator. The infusion of historical elements was flawless. The interruption in the logical arc was invigorating.

This was a great read.

The really got me with this book. As I was reading it, there were so many twists and turns that I was not expecting. Written through the eyes of sisters, the story tells a tale that is woven in truth and mystery. This story kept me on the edge of my seat, and that doesn't happen often with YA stories. But this is one of the few that captured my attention from beginning to end. Amazingly well done job with the book. I enjoyed the writing style as well as the flow of the story.

I was excited for this book, but I also wasn’t sure what to expect. But oh my did I love it. There’s so many amazing things to say and it is honestly one of the best books I’ve already read this year. It was so powerful. It is told with many perspectives and multiple timelines, which was something I really loved. The characters were dynamic and the familial relationships were realistic. And what a plot twist that was! I could not have guessed it if I tried. This is just such a fantastic book!

Rating: 5*