This book was certainly a page turner! 3 days to read because I didn't want to stop. Jason's journey has you feeling all of the emotions and I will certainly be recommending this to the high school librarian!

Thank you, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, for the copy of Up In Smoke by Nick Brooks. This book reminded me why I love YA books, even at my advanced age. I loved the insight into teens and their lives, slang, and relationships. Cooper was a great main character, and his dilemma about the secret he was hiding made me yell at him and want him to come clean. The story was intriguing and timely, and would make a great movie. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

"Up in Smoke" is a young adult realistic fiction novel by Nick Brooks. Cooper is a Black teen in Washington, DC. During what is supposed to be a peaceful march, Cooper is pressured to go looting with his friend, Jason. When there is a shooting and a local woman is killed, Cooper's friend gets blamed and arrested. Did he do it? Will Cooper get arrested? Cooper and Jason's sister team up to try and find the real killer, but he has to hide the fact that he was part of the looting. A tense mystery that discusses the realities of racism and police violence, this is a recommended purchase for all YA collections.