This book is a thought provoking read that explores current themes in todays society - as a teacher in this political climate the book hit very close to home. Frederick Joseph wrote an engaging and timely novel that both young people and adults will find riveting. The idea that tackling today's issues together as a community resonated. I thoroughly enjoyed and think many of my students would find the novel both compelling and see themselves in the characters.

On its surface, this is a story about Ossie Brown, a star athlete who finds his dream of playing ball in the NBA vanish after a career ending injury, and his two friends Luis and Naima as they navigate the turmoils of not just being in high school, but existing in bodies that our society deems less than. Much of the book is dedicated to following along as they form strong bonds of love and friendship, traverse complicated familial relationships, and endure bullying by their peers. Unlike your typical YA novel, though, This Thing of Ours delves into heavy and complex topics such as racism, classism, censorship, homophobia, radical misinformation, grief, propaganda, and toxic masculinity, just to name a few. The care and thoughtfulness with which the author executes these incredibly nuanced situations is truly exemplary, while reminding the reader that these are not unique issues. They are timely and accurate representations of what’s happening in the world around us, and stark reminders that we must encourage the youth of today to be the strong leaders of tomorrow that we will need to keep fighting the good fight.

Among the many important messages the author delivers in this book, I found two particularly inspiring. I firmly believe in not just telling our youth how we expect them to behave but instead to give them something to emulate. First, throughout the book Ossie shows us his vulnerability, that it is ok to feel, it it ok to cry, it is ok to tell your male best friend that you love him, even as a masculine-presenting 6’5” athlete. Ossie and Luis’s friendship is beautiful. It will hopefully be an inspiration to countless young men who need to learn this lesson, and in turn teach it to their sons and grandsons in the hopes that we can erase the damage the patriarchy has done to them for our future generations. Second, while we see the world through Ossie’s eyes as our protagonist, the star of the book is really Naima - a force so fierce, she had legions of racist white people working overtime to try to silence her. Ossie not only knows her power as a strong, intelligent and principled Black woman, he embraces and amplifies it. In fact, his big misstep in the book is trying to be her step stool, and in the end he realizes she never really needed (or wanted) it to begin with.

This is an important book for people of all ages, really, but especially for teenagers and young adults who don’t normally see themselves and their friends represented as anything other than the funny sidekick. Here, I hope they will see themselves in strong, lovable and richly woven characters who laugh, cry, stumble, and persevere.

Thank you, Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink | Candlewick, for the copy of This Thing Of Ours by Frederick Joseph. It’s only February so it’s probably too early to choose my favorite books of 2025, but I already know this book will top my list! I loved Ossie from the first chapter; his predicament of being an injured athlete on an athletic scholarship was heartbreaking. Luckily his scholarship wasn’t taken away, so he continues to be one of the few non-white students and one without money among a wealthy population. How he navigates his new life, without basketball to define him, is an amazing study of how painful personal growth can be. Ossie’s relationships are so realistic I felt like I knew his family and friends. I cheered his triumphs and cried about his disappointments. Even if you don’t like YA books, you will love this one, so buy it now for a compelling read that will stay with you long after you close the book. 5 stars

As a longtime reader of Frederick Joseph, I was eager to see how his storytelling would translate into young adult fiction, and 'This Thing of Ours' drew me in and kept me engaged from page one. This powerful novel follows Ossie Brown, a talented basketball player whose dreams are shattered by a torn ACL. Stripped of the status that once defined him, Ossie faces a painful reckoning—navigating senior year without the perks of being a scholar-athlete, watching his ex-girlfriend date his biggest rival, and confronting the racial and class disparities at his privileged high school.

What makes this novel shine for me is Ossie’s growth as the main character. Encouraged by a Black teacher to explore his natural gift for writing, he discovers a new way to express himself and a deeper purpose beyond the court. His friendships with Luis and Naima become a lifeline, showing how true friendship makes us braver and how communal advocacy can challenge injustice, especially when an “anti-woke” video threatens their school community.

Joseph’s writing pays beautiful homage to Black literature, tying in themes of grief, persistence after defeat, and self-discovery through conflicts with others and our society at large. Through Ossie’s journey, Joseph reminds us that “each life is a poem” and urges readers to craft their own with intention and love. This is a must-read for those who appreciate stories about identity, activism, and the power of finding your voice.

This is a brilliant book that is incredibly timely with the state of our nation. I think it should be mandatory reading in schools.