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.