The Black Kids

4.5 Stars

It is heartbreaking that something set in 1992 is so relevant today. This book presents the realities of systematic racism in a clear and thoughtful way. We follow Ashley a black high school senior in a predominantly white high school, Ashley struggles with fitting in on many levels and I think finding your place and finding your family are also themes in this story.

I was not born at the time of the Rodney King riots and I wasn't born in America. Although I was aware of the riots happening this was a great way for me to receive a perspective on these events. Reading this book has also prompted me to find out more about the Rodney King riots. It is up to us to build a better future and we have a responsibility to do so.

I was given a Netgalley ARC in exchange for a review.

”We have to walk around being perfect all the time just to be seen as human. Don’t you ever get tired of being a symbol? Don’t you ever just want to be human?”
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This book couldn’t have come at a more timely moment and sadly shows how little growth we have done since the 90s (and even earlier) to stop the systemic racism towards those of colour. I really enjoyed following Ashley’s story and seeing her personal growth throughout and I thought Christina’s writing was wonderful and really made me feel like I was right there with the characters. A cross between YA contemporary and historical fiction this is a book that I recommend everyone add to their TBR lists this year as although the subject matter is heavy, I really think the topics it touched on like race, class, mental health, family issues etc are all written in a way that can be relatable to all ages and hopefully will encourage some necessary conversations. A wonderful debut and I can’t wait to see what Christina writes next!
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A big thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for this advanced digital copy to read and review!

In The Black Kids Ashley is coming of age in her senior year of high school in 1992 in LA, against the backdrop of the Rodney King Riots. Scarily mirroring recent world events nearly 30 years later.

This book is powerful. It had my heart beating fast. It’s a must read for everyone, because of it’s severe relevancy to our world today. I once heard that the only way to touch someone’s heart in a way that enacts change is to tell them your story and get you them to understand you. Looking at people and at their misfortunes on mass isn’t as effective.

Sometimes you think you understand how someone feels because they tell you. But, you really don’t know how they feel, how they’re seeing the world or how they are responding to the world around them and how the world around them is responding to them until you take a look inside their mind, which is exactly what you get to do with this book with Ashley.

The characters were all well crafted and realistic. I found at times that the author would jump back in time when Ashley would reflect upon how a present event related to a past event and that I would get a little lost. But, this doesn’t diminish the power of this book.

If you’re white and you want to read more about racism, because of the injustice it cause even now, don’t turn to To Kill A Mockingjay, it’s written by a white woman, it will confirm what you already know. Read The Black Kids; it’ll open your eyes.

The Black Kids is a coming-of-age novel set during the 1992 Rodney King riots in LA. The main protagonist is Ashley, a sheltered Black teenager who grew up in a nice neighbourhood, goes to a private school and has only white friends.

When four LAPD police officers are acquitted of brutally beating Rodney King half to death, violence engulfs LA. Ashley tries to continue on with her normal life, but then her sister gets arrested, her uncle's business gets looted and she gets a gun pointed at her face by a police officer.

The Black Kids is about race, class and Ashley's quest to figure out who she is and where she belongs. If I was to describe the writing in three words, I would say it was atmospheric, descriptive and honest. My only minor issue was that I would have preferred fewer characters. But otherwise, this book's synopsis is (unfortunately) just as relevant today as it was in 1992. The Black Kids is perfect for Angie Thomas and Elizabeth Acevedo fans.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Black Kids
Author: Christina Hammonds Reed
Genre: YA Historical
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ • ✨ / 5
Reviewed: Maya

[Trigger Warning: racism, racist slurs such as the n-word, police brutality, suicide, death of a relative, mentions of cancer and chemotherapy, person at the last stages of AIDs]

Read this book. Go find a copy and read it. I didn’t even realise until I reread the synopsis about 25% through that this was set in 1992 because it is scaringly similar to 2020. The world-building was too realistic and I had never read a book that discussed the racism, police brutality and Rodney King’s murder during this time period, which clearly showed the way that history repeats itself. As a white, Australian teenager I have never experienced any racism or witnessed/been targeted by police brutality, so obviously I will not speak on their behalf, and instead I will read books by people who know this first-hand so that I can become more educated. The characters were written so well and felt so real; I really liked Ashley and the development that she went through. Reed has a gift because her writing is amazing and there was always a drive to keep reading this book. I nearly couldn’t believe this was Reed’s debut book and I will 100% be reading every single book that she will write in the future. This book *needs* to be read in every classroom because it is such an important read and would open up so many needed discussions. I recommend this book for everybody.