This book did a wonderful job telling the history of an event that is not often talked about in depth or covered much in history classes. The love story between Isaiah and Angel is wonderful, and watching the events of the Tulsa Race Massacre through their eyes was eye-opening.

Beautiful and tense and many readers will love this book and the juxtaposition of so many themes and issues!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this free ARC.

This book was everything. I only recently heard of the Tulsa Race Massacre and this did such a wonderful job explaining what it was and how it all went down. I used this for my Young Adult Book Club for Adults.

I enjoyed a trip back into the past (I love historical fiction) though I knew what was coming. I will say that I have read other books on this topic that had stronger tension, though I am sure young people will enjoy getting to know these young folks and their families.

This book should be taught in all schools in the United States. Blending history and characters that you can't help but love will create a connection and teach lessons far better than any textbook can.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Posted on Goodreads:

I found it interesting that the way this historical fiction book is written is that it feels like it's old, even though it was released recently in 2021. If someone had said this was published in the '50s I'd totally be inclined to believe them. I think it works for the setting and tone of this story, although it definitely requires getting yourself into a particular mindset to get used to the cadence of the tale.

I don't know if I personally got a lot of enrichment from this book for various reasons (I didn't quite connect with our main characters, and the writing is very poetic, which, if you know me, just isn't my thing) but I think YA books that focus on prominent moments in history are so important in putting real faces to historical "facts" and "dates", and, most importantly, encourages people to practice the art of empathy (apparently not something many are innately born with, judging by the state of *gestures to the world*).

Spending time getting to know this prosperous town and to then watch so many lives get upended or cut short and experiencing that destruction of livelihoods and families, it was devastating. Narratively it wouldn't have fit the story, but I was curious to see what became of those who survived five or ten years later (off to Google!). The amount of strength it must take to come back from such injustice, having to still live in a country that perpetuated this violence and then turned a blind eye to it, is humbling.

This feels like the kind of book that needs to be taught alongside a high-school history course, which sadly feels like a 'charged' and 'controversial' statement to say in front of our bigoted state government like the one we're currently experiencing in Florida (did a certain shitty governor's face appear in my head as I read about some of the white characters featured in this novel? Who can tell through the flickering of so many torches...).

Just this morning I was reading about what Desantis is doing to New College, one of our state colleges that is known for its inclusivity and diversity, as he recently appointed a new and entirely conservative "Christian" board of directors who are going on a massive firing spree in order to "root out" the "wokeness" from this safe space for many queer students. There may not be literal torches and bombs being dropped, but I imagine the rottenness of the souls involved looks much the same. Something something doomed to repeat it...

This was good story. Not great, but good. I struggled a bit and I know this is a classic case of, “it’s not you, it’s me,” since everyone I know that read it, loved it.

This was a welcome addition to historical fiction that will help introduce young readers to a time of our past that might be neglected while learning history in school. There is a great friendship between the children in the novel but I didn’t care for the relationship aspects, as it felt forced. Hopefully readers will feel interested to learn more about this event with nonfiction texts that will flesh out this fictional telling. Remember this is told for teens, so their attitudes are that of children.

Thank you for the free ARC NetGalley, it didn’t influence my review.

This book would be great in a classroom. There's so many lessons that could come from it. The book is very well written and extremely engaging!

A must-read!

The cover is just as stunning in person.

The ignited fury reading this book along with astounding pride of Greenwood.

Isaac, Muggy and Angel are stellar characters. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend to everyone.

Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing for the eARC via Netgalley

I knew nothing about the Greenwood Massacre before reading this book, which I can’t believe but also I absolutely can after finding out how it was hushed up. What struck me about this story is that it was mostly just a sweet romance between two seemingly different characters in their community that ended up finding that they connected on an incredible level. It was sweet and adorable. But everything was interrupted by the utter devastation and heartbreak of this very real historical event. It was a jarring juxtaposition, but I think that was the point. Come for the romance and stay for the history, and never forget.

The Angel of Greenwood is poignant story about a time not so long ago told through the eyes of children who witnessed a horrible crime of pure hate. This story is based on the event that happened in Tulsa Oklahoma to Black Wall Street, a thriving and bustling black community. The horror of having your whole entire world shattered because some people hate to see others thriving. Even though I knew the outcome, I was nonetheless quite disturbed. Here’s to the author for trying to soften the blow through kids’ lenses.

Didn't capture my attention and engagement. I'll hopefully try again in the future. Didn't capture my attention and engagement. I'll hopefully try again in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, Feiwel & Friends, and the author, Randi Pink, for sending me this e-arc copy of ANGEL OF GREENWOOD to read and review.

TW+CW: death, racism, child abuse, violence, blood, arson and fire, death of parent, bullying

ANGEL OF GREENWOOD by RANDI PINK is a historical young adult fiction novel following the two teen perspectives, Angel and Isaiah, that have opposing views on how black people should rise in power, when they take on summer job with their English Teacher. Over the summer, they work a mobile library that is a bike with only has three wheels and two seats. Even though Angel and Isaiah have different opinions and reasons why they took the summer job, they can't help but grow intrigued by the other and wanting to spend more time together, creating a budding romance. But then their life is changed on May 31st, 1921 when a white mob arrives in Greenwood armed with anger and vengeance leaving many people displaced, distraught, and decided on who their true enemies are.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and feeling a bit disappointed in myself for not reading it sooner. I think it's a wonderful read, giving readers some insight on some black history many probably haven't learned about in school. I didn't know about the Greenwood Massacre, aka Black Wall Street, and thanks to this book, I plan to take some time researching it and other books that is written about black history like this. I liked how the story was written because it felt like you were there. Everyone was living their life, gossiping, working, etc. when there was an unexpected event and your life is changing, flashing before your eyes. As the reader, it felt like I was watching the tragic events unfold before me. I don't typically read historical fiction but this book has me reconsidering. It is an emotional and impactful story that I will be thinking about for awhile.

I recommend this book to anyone that is interested in reading a historical fiction, reading about the Greenwood Massacre of 1921, or just interested in reading a story about two teenagers with opposing opinions on how black people should rise coming together to form a friendship and then a romantic relationship (the romance is not the main focus of the book.)

Randi Pink’s debut Angel Of Greenwood is stellar and not like anything I have read this year. After reading this book, I find that I wish there was more noise around it. It feels like not a ton of people have read this and that is a travesty. However, given that historical fiction is not the IT genre at the moment, I guess that makes sense. If you are someone who loves historical fiction, pick this book up. If you like a good redemption story or a good love story, pick up Pink’s debut.

Angel Of Greenwood is set in the year 1921 in Greenwood Oklahoma which is a suburb of Tulsa. Greenwood was dubbed Black Wall Street. In 1921, it was a place where Black people were prospering. There was such a strong sense of community and culture. One resident of this community is Angel. She’s graceful and a dancer. Also, she is kind and thoughtful and truly lives up to her name. Life at home is not easy — as her father is slowly dying. As the book opens, there is an incident where Angel is confronted by a pack of white boys. Witnessing this incident is Isaiah. He goes to school and church with Angel.

Isaiah lives with his widowed mother. You see, his father died in the Great War. Isaiah hangs out with Muggy who is the town bully. So, he is a bit guilty by association. As it turns out though, Isaiah is secretly a poet. He also is obsessed with the philosophy and writing of W.E.B. DuBois. Isaiah ends up interacting much closer with Angel when he and Angel are hired for a job running a bookmobile into the poorer neighborhoods of Greenwood. Isaiah also comes to terms with his deep feelings for Angel.


Angel Of Greenwood is so good for such a compact read. The story does involve the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, however, much of that happens off page. There are a few events of violence, but it is NOT the entire book. At heart, this book is about two Black teens who fall in love. It is about Isaiah who has a redemption arc – as well as his friend Muggy. This book is about an actual community that existed that white people just couldn’t stand to see thriving. The author’s note at the end gave so much insight into the why of this book. Do not miss out on Angel Of Greenwood by Randi Pink for a spectacular historical fiction about an event that history textbooks often skip over.

This is one of those books that should be a must read for young people in school. Such an important and fantastic story.

Randi Pink does an amazing job of telling a story that though difficult is necessary. The reader is absorbed into the story and finds themselves to continue it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC digital copy. I have not been compensated for my opinion and this is an honest review.

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish reading this ARC digital copy before needing to switch to other books that were being archived. The book remains on my Goodreads "want to read" list, and I will update my review to reflect an updated opinion when I finish it at a later date..

A look at the Tulsa Race Massacare through the eyes of young people. Multiple Narrators really bring this story to life. It is an emotionally hard book to read.