Great book and touched on many important topics and I feel like a lot of teens will enjoy this book. Loved the poems ALOT.

If You Knew My Name has a really strong premise, but for me it just didn’t deliver enough to get me into the book. I really wanted to get into this, but I think I was just the wrong audience.

A great loyalist to Jason Reynolds, if I could hear his recitation at some slam poetry meeting it would be a great experience, however, I am not a native speaker of the language, but I appreciate all the undertones that are denounced against white supremacy in the context of North America.

i found this book to have a lot of impact, the story really stood out to me. the thing i had a hard time with most of the book was the flow of writing, i found myself getting tripped up with the prose but i always do love a novel in verse. I just wish some connections were made a little deeper.

The verse novel format makes the information in this book very digestible. We are given large swathes of race theory in rap battles and quick conversation. So reading this book gives you plenty to think about, but it doesn't especially work as a narrative. There isn't much in the way of character development or plot.

A much needed story about the impacts of racism on our country today told through the eyes of teenagers in a poetry class. It is all about understanding each other’s perspective and having an open mind. Can’t wait to share this with my students.

DNF @ 72 pages

I hope to come back to this book one day because I was enjoying it, but there were parts introduced that I wasn't interested in so decided to put it down for now. I will try to pick this one up again in the future.

This novel in verse format tells the story of a bipoc teen seeking to be a rap artist, going into his last year of high school. His big dream is just that, a dream, unless he manages to pass a poetry course and convince his mom, as a BLM activist that being a rapper is possible for good kids. The flow of the book works well, as the teen introduces the reader to many BIPOC individuals harmed by just being black, and no rap involved. Until an incident in town hits close to home and he has to find the value in a poetry course and his moms beliefs.

I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to any black boys I know. Great Job on this book!

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*

Carter's novel is written in poetry form, which is fitting given its content. It's about a young Black man taking a poetry class and discussing all things Black Lives Matter but also struggling with classmates, the political climate in the US and ultimately finishing school / growing up. The spoken word / poetry slam vibes are strong and I enjoyed how poems from other classmates were also part of the narrative. The discussion of BLM but also Critical Race Theory and racism in general was very approachable and befitting the form of the narrative.

5 stars

As I started reading this, I thought this writing was very YA… which makes sense since the protagonist is 17. The story has a strong voice because of it, capturing teen lingo and their conversationalist style with lyrical rhymes.

This all helps to hit home themes of racial injustice, protesting through art, and what it’s like to be a young Black man who is finding his words have power.

If You Knew My Name by Lisa Roberts Carter is a free verse novel that initially stood out to me because of the cover. As a high school English teacher, I am always on the lookout for Young Adult books about activism and inequality. I recently read Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds with my students, and many of them loved the format. They thought it was an "easier" read because of the free verse format (even though the ideas were still complex). Since then, I have made it a mission to add more free verse novels to my classroom library. This is why I decided to request If You Knew My Name.

The novel follows Mason, a senior in high school who has dreams of becoming a rapper. He is determined to graduate high school, and after realizing he needs his poetry class to graduate, he begins to be an active participant in the class. The poetry class doesn't come without its issues. While it is a class on Black Poetry, there are students enrolled who do not believe in CRT or BLM protests. There are even students he suspects joined the class to openly mock and disagree with everything being said. Even so, Mason starts to use the class to work on perfecting his poetry and learning more about himself in the process.

I enjoyed the novel overall, even though I have a few critiques. Let's get into my thoughts!

While the purpose shown in the book's blurb is that Mason needs to learn to become a voice for the community, it is not completely clear in the novel. There are times when I felt that there was too much time spent without changing the setting of the story. For example, the first section of the novel focuses on introducing Mason, his friends and family, his passions, etc. Then, after the poetry class began, there was a massive section dedicated to the class and all of the students enrolled.

I did enjoy the conversations Carter created within the poetry class. There were poems from both sides, but I think that young adults reading would be able to see the ignorance in many of the anti-CRT students' poems. I think these poems are where her character development of Mason really shines. His reactions to the other students' poems are telling.

However, I wish we could have seen more poems from Mason in the class. I enjoyed the inclusion of other students' poems; I just wish there could have been more Mason (basically, I wanted the book to be a little longer). I think this contributed to the pacing issue of the book. This first poetry class section took up a lot of space, and because of all the other views, I didn't feel Mason's changes as strongly. As I said above, Carter's character development in some of these sections is strong, but there isn't enough of it to justify the massive change in life values Marcus faces.

When I first started reading, I found it really hard to find a rhythm. Because I had trouble finding a rhythm throughout many of the poems, I believe hearing the poems as they were intended would be beneficial. I do not know if an audiobook is in the works, but one is not currently available. This issue got better as the novel progressed. Actually, it was when Mason started his poetry class that I felt the rhythm became more consistent.

These complaints might make it seem like I did not like the book, which is not true. I think this book is extremely important. It tackles issues that many parents, school systems, communities, etc., want to ignore, which is why I believe this should become an essential book in any high school classroom.

Many poems stuck out throughout the novel. The section of the book that included poems about the multiple real-life scenarios that have happened in recent years (George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tamir Rice were three of them) was incredibly powerful. The flow of those poems, in particular, packed a punch. The poem If You Knew My Name, also the title of the book, felt like a perfect conclusion to the novel. It really did stand out. 

Overall, even with its flaws, You Knew My Name is a book that needs to be read. I really do think this could have a major impact on any type of reader. I have already requested an order of two copies of this book for my classroom library and added it to the reading recommendations binder I have for my students.

* Blog post scheduled for June 5th

I received this book during a busy period in my life. I look forward to completing this soon and giving it a review. The cover draws you in as well as the title.

This book was written in verse and covered all the major issues that are happening in young adult children's lives right now. There is different point of views and the book was well-written. It would be a great book to share with high school students.

✊🏿 BOOK REVIEW ✊🏿

Synopsis: Mason Zy’Aire Tyndall has big dreams. Dreams of sick beats, epic mic-drops, sold out stadiums. Mason’s going to be a rap star—and you don’t become a rap star by hitting up BLM protests with your mom or sitting at a desk. Mason wants to get out there and make a name for himself, but he’ll have to graduate high school first. And he can’t do that if he fails his senior year. Convinced his poetry class is a waste of time, Mason’s teacher helps him see just how valuable a couplet and a rhyme can be. But when an unarmed Black man is killed by the police in his city, tensions start to rise—among the cops, the community, and even Mason’s peers. Caught in the middle of increasingly violent conflicts, Mason will have to find a way to use his voice for change…and fast.

Review: A super unique twist on poetry and fiction writing. It certainly was special, but it just wasn’t right for me. After reading 70% of the book I found myself skimming to the end. I do have a tendency to get impatient if there’s a lack of plot, and this story was all character based. However there was an incredible range of diversity and character growth. While this slow paced gem wasn’t for me, if you’re looking for something emotional, reflective, informative and sad I highly recommend you pick this up.


My sincerest thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review

2.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️💫



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Mason is entering his senior year of high school. He wants to be a rapper and often participates in rap battles. His mom is a Black Lives Matter activist. At the advice of his guidance counselor, he reluctantly signs up for a Black poetry class. When the teacher turns out to be a white woman, Mason really starts to question his decision to take the class. Even worse, several of his classmates are right-wingers with racist ideals. When Mason almost finds himself another dead Black male at the hands of police, he knows he needs to use his voice to speak out.

I really wanted to love this book. It's got representation in spades, it's written in verse, the teacher is a transracial adoptive parent - all the things I usually go for. It just didn't flow well for me. It was often difficult to tell which character's voice I was reading and it jumped around a lot. I wanted the relationships to go deeper than they did.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for a review copy of If You Knew My Name.

Thank you NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for sending me an advanced reader copy of IF YOU KNEW MY NAME.

Powerful, historical, and raw, this book is by far one of my favorite reads of 2024. It showcases the reality of America’s blemishes, its harshness and its misgivings. It shows the power of working as one, no matter the race or background, to unite a community that so desperately needs it. Mason’s journey through his senior year, signing up for a Black Poetry Class and trying to reach his dreams as a rapper truly allows the reader to grasp the differing views and realities of each character Mason comes in contact with. I feel this book is so important to have in libraries and schools in addition to every bookstore out there. This novel is so impactful, and I hope it brings together every community out there or, at the very least, I think a dialogue will strike up. The hard truths are never easy, but they are the most important to examine. young adults and adults alike should read this book, and I would even go so far as to say mandatory reading in junior highs or high schools. Thank you again, especially to Lisa Robert’s Carter, for writing such an extraordinary piece of literature—for lighting a new beacon that I believe could pave the way to a better future for all the youth out there.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Reader Copy!

Mason is an aspiring rap artist, and this book is written appropriately in verse. I loved how I could hear Mason's rapping cadence while reading it. Mason is enrolled in a Black poetry class with a diverse group of students during his senior year of high school. Mason uses his artistry to advocate against police brutality is this moving debut.

"If You Knew My Name" by Lisa Roberts Carter is a powerful YA novel written in verse that focuses on themes of identity, social justice, and the Black Lives Matter movement. This is such an important book, and I absolutely loved how beautiful and unique the poetry writing was throughout the book.

Set in the backdrop of a Black poetry class, the book follows Mason, a young man with aspirations of becoming a rapper. Through Mason's eyes and beautiful verse, you are taken on a journey that explores the complexities of race, privilege, and systemic injustice in modern-day America.

Carter's skillful use of poetry not only adds a lyrical quality to the story but also allows for a deeper exploration of Mason's inner thoughts and emotions. I felt like I was really able to connect with Mason and his perspective despite the differences between us. I think teenage readers would really be able to connect with Mason as well as the themes presented in the story. The verses themselves resonate with rhythm and beat, capturing the essence of Mason's passion for music and his struggle to find his voice in a society plagued by racial prejudice.

One of the book's strengths (besides the verses) lies in its portrayal of Mason's growth and resilience in the face of adversity. As he grapples with the realities of police brutality and systemic racism, Mason learns the importance of using his voice to advocate for justice and change. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking out against injustice and standing up for what is right. Again, I think this book would work really well with teenage readers and may even serve as an excellent book to use in the high school English classroom.

Additionally, Carter skillfully weaves in discussions of important social issues, including cultural appropriation, white guilt, and colonialism, shedding light on the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized communities. Through Mason's experiences and interactions with his classmates, you gain insight into the complexities of race relations in America and the urgent need for societal change. These are such important topics that aren’t often touched upon in contemporary literature, and I love how YA authors are finding their voices in these topics in order for teenage readers to learn more about these topics and perspectives.

Overall, "If You Knew My Name" is a timely and thought-provoking read that offers a compelling exploration of race, identity, and activism in contemporary society.

Through the eyes of Mason Zy’Aire Tyndall, readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery and activism. As an aspiring rap artist with big dreams, Mason initially views fatal officer-involved shootings as distant tragedies, until he comes dangerously close to becoming a victim himself.

With poignant storytelling, the novel explores Mason’s evolution from a young man focused solely on his rap career to someone who recognizes the importance of using his platform to address social injustices. As tensions escalate in his community, Mason must navigate the complexities of racial tensions and find his voice amidst the chaos.

Through Mason’s experiences, the novel sheds light on the power of art and activism to ignite change, as well as the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths and taking a stand against injustice.

“If You Knew My Name” is a compelling and thought-provoking read that challenges readers to consider their own role in creating a more equitable society, making it a must-read for anyone passionate about social justice and activism.