Magoon’s novel is an incredibly engrossing book that presents the many angles of a complicated issue. The tragic death of an unarmed black male teen at the hands of an adult white male brings about questions, confusion, and misinterpretation about what actually happened and how it went down. The writing is genuine and not preachy; the characters have strong individual voices and are absolutely believable. Due to recent events, this book may help students explore their own feelings about racial inequalities and discrimination in our country. I recommend this book to readers who are interested in racial issues and enjoy stories that take place in urban settings with topics related to community, gang activity, violence, and poverty. Although the characters will appeal to both male and female readers, I especially recommend this book to teen males who may not enjoy reading for leisure.
