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Let Me Hear a Rhyme
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In this standalone novel, Tiffany D. Jackson tells the story of three Brooklyn teens who plot to turn their murdered friend into a major rap star by pretending he is still alive.
Biggie Smalls was right. Things done changed. But that doesn’t mean that Quadir and Jarrell are okay letting their best friend Steph’s tracks lie forgotten in his bedroom after he’s killed—not when ...more
Biggie Smalls was right. Things done changed. But that doesn’t mean that Quadir and Jarrell are okay letting their best friend Steph’s tracks lie forgotten in his bedroom after he’s killed—not when ...more
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No, none of the characters are gay or recognized as lgbtq+.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Let Me Hear a Rhyme
4.5 Stars! Review to come.
May 21, 2019
chai ♡
added it
"[...] the story of three Brooklyn teens who plot to turn their murdered friend into a major rap star by pretending he is still alive."
me, vibrating so hard I begin to clip through the floors: I am...moderately excited ...more
me, vibrating so hard I begin to clip through the floors: I am...moderately excited ...more
I am just going to sit here and sHOUT that this book is masterful brilliance. It's left me in awe with just the skill of the storytelling. You know when you read a book and it's just plotted so tightly, the puzzle-pieces fit together with satisfying snaps at the end, and the characters feel so real you're shocked at the last page that you don't get to spend more time with your new best friends?!??! Me. This book. Us together. 🥺And, as a writer myself, I constantly read to glean craft tips and I
...more
I mean...it was okay. 😏
I loved this book - a great story, very well-told. Great tensions, relationships and so much Brooklyn!!!
Teens will love this book... and so will a whole lot of adults!
The only hard part for me was acknowledging that books set in 1998 now classify as historical fiction.
Teens will love this book... and so will a whole lot of adults!
The only hard part for me was acknowledging that books set in 1998 now classify as historical fiction.
Aug 30, 2019
Jananie (thisstoryaintover)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-own
ahh i loved this SO MUCH. loved each of the characters and what they did for Steph and what he meant to them all <3
Love! Love! Love!
The young adult genre has not yet seen a novel the likes of Let Me Hear A Rhyme, and whoever signed on for this title knew what they’re doing.
Let Me Hear A Rhyme brought forth memories long since buried. It felt like someone ripped these pages right out of my childhood. Jackson knows, and she gets it.
If LMHAR, were out when I was a teenager, I would have devoured it, in the same manner, I devoured my fifty cent snack: a bag of chips and a quarter juice.
LMHAR is what Urban Fictio ...more
The young adult genre has not yet seen a novel the likes of Let Me Hear A Rhyme, and whoever signed on for this title knew what they’re doing.
Let Me Hear A Rhyme brought forth memories long since buried. It felt like someone ripped these pages right out of my childhood. Jackson knows, and she gets it.
If LMHAR, were out when I was a teenager, I would have devoured it, in the same manner, I devoured my fifty cent snack: a bag of chips and a quarter juice.
LMHAR is what Urban Fictio ...more
Reading Rush: Read the first book you touch
4.5 Stars
"We spread love, Its the Brooklyn way
-The Notorious B.I.G.
If any of you have read a Tiffany D. Jackson novel then you know that her books tend to be a gut punch. Her first two novels Allegedly and Mondays Not Coming were rough reads. I loved them both but Tiffany ripped my heart out of my chest than stomped on it while looking me dead in my eyes.
What I'm trying to tell you is that Tiffany D. Jackson is a savage.
So I was obviously very very s ...more
4.5 Stars
"We spread love, Its the Brooklyn way
-The Notorious B.I.G.
If any of you have read a Tiffany D. Jackson novel then you know that her books tend to be a gut punch. Her first two novels Allegedly and Mondays Not Coming were rough reads. I loved them both but Tiffany ripped my heart out of my chest than stomped on it while looking me dead in my eyes.
What I'm trying to tell you is that Tiffany D. Jackson is a savage.
So I was obviously very very s ...more
Okay I know Monday's Not Coming has just barely hit the shelves. But I'm already ready for this one anyway. More Tiffany D. Jackson!
GIMME! ...more
GIMME! ...more
HOW DARE THIS BOOK COME INTO MY HOME. How dare it put me through a torrent of feelings. In the place where I sleep. Where I watch Netflix and eat jalapeno Cheetos.
Thank you Edelweiss and publisher for the honor of reviewing this title ahead of its release date.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author, but believe me, I’m scooping up her other titles shortly. This book follows three friends who, after the murder of their friend, set out to 1.find out who killed him and 2. Show the world h ...more
Thank you Edelweiss and publisher for the honor of reviewing this title ahead of its release date.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author, but believe me, I’m scooping up her other titles shortly. This book follows three friends who, after the murder of their friend, set out to 1.find out who killed him and 2. Show the world h ...more
Well, that was a surprise.
The only other book I'd ever heard of by Tiffany D. Jackson is Allegedly, a (I THINK?) crime/trial/general suspense thriller, and that never sounded like my cup of tea. But I saw Let Me Hear a Rhyme on the YA shelf at our public library recently, and, drawn by the vibrantly colorful cover, I decided to give it a try.
Best. reading. decision. of. the. year.
Because this book is a GEM, folks.
Basically, Let Me Hear a Rhyme follows three teenagers in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Ne ...more
The only other book I'd ever heard of by Tiffany D. Jackson is Allegedly, a (I THINK?) crime/trial/general suspense thriller, and that never sounded like my cup of tea. But I saw Let Me Hear a Rhyme on the YA shelf at our public library recently, and, drawn by the vibrantly colorful cover, I decided to give it a try.
Best. reading. decision. of. the. year.
Because this book is a GEM, folks.
Basically, Let Me Hear a Rhyme follows three teenagers in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Ne ...more
Yo, Tiffany D. Jackson did the damn thing here! I was expecting to have a lukewarm reaction to Let Me Hear a Rhyme, not because Jackson lacks skills as a YA writer or misses the mark when it comes to delving into the unexpected, but because the idea of writing a story about a deceased rapper whose friends and family try to get his music produced was, in my initial opinion, a stretch; or so I thought. Jackson weaves the rap music scene in Brooklyn throughout the 300 plus page novel with the elega
...more
Oct 01, 2019
R.F. Gammon
marked it as dnf
*sighs* SOOOOOOOOO
I actually really like this
The writing style? Fantastic. The characters? Compelling. The plot line? Amazing. I think I'm definitely GOING to finish it.
However...for right now, I'm DNFing, simply because I've been reading SO MUCH contemporary lately and I am in DESPERATE need of a fantasy kick xD
Basically? I can't give this book the attention it deserves right now. Which makes me sad, because it deserves all the attention.
Hopefully I'll be trying it again, soon. ...more
I actually really like this
The writing style? Fantastic. The characters? Compelling. The plot line? Amazing. I think I'm definitely GOING to finish it.
However...for right now, I'm DNFing, simply because I've been reading SO MUCH contemporary lately and I am in DESPERATE need of a fantasy kick xD
Basically? I can't give this book the attention it deserves right now. Which makes me sad, because it deserves all the attention.
Hopefully I'll be trying it again, soon. ...more
This just reminded me of on the come up and I couldn’t help myself but choose my favourite child in this battle.
I loved both, but this felt lacking compared to that and I couldn’t help but do so with all the plot similarities.
The characters are well developed and the dialogue is witty and fast paced; as is the plot.
There were startling differences with our main artist here being deceased, but it felt like death and grief were pushed aside for some humour and light hearted romance and that didn’t ...more
I loved both, but this felt lacking compared to that and I couldn’t help but do so with all the plot similarities.
The characters are well developed and the dialogue is witty and fast paced; as is the plot.
There were startling differences with our main artist here being deceased, but it felt like death and grief were pushed aside for some humour and light hearted romance and that didn’t ...more
Mar 16, 2020
Stella❤️ 孔凡星
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical,
3-star-reads
I applaud the author for being able to write realistic characters with complex flaws and desires 👏🏻
⭐️ 4 Stars ⭐️
SPOILERS AHEAD!! BEWARE!
One of my favourite things about this book was the storyline. It's so interesting and unlike anything, I have ever read. After the death of 16-year-old Steph, His sister and best friends decide to share his music with the world and they pretend Steph is alive. They end up going super far with this by signing Steph up for a record deal, getting his previously recorded music remixed, going to appearances with other famous producers and singers and selling his ...more
SPOILERS AHEAD!! BEWARE!
One of my favourite things about this book was the storyline. It's so interesting and unlike anything, I have ever read. After the death of 16-year-old Steph, His sister and best friends decide to share his music with the world and they pretend Steph is alive. They end up going super far with this by signing Steph up for a record deal, getting his previously recorded music remixed, going to appearances with other famous producers and singers and selling his ...more
A brilliant book about three teenagers commitment to realising the unfulfilled music career of Steph, their friend and brother. Steph was shot and killed in his own neighbourhood. Using some of the music he recorded before his death they pretend he is alive in order to secure a record deal. The message in the book was incredibly poignant. Steph lived. He was someone. He had incredible potential and because of a violent crime he was robbed of the opportunity to follow his passion, and in turn, th
...more
The audiobook made Steph's rhymes even better
...more
![julia ☆ [owls reads]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1587129562p2/5520447.jpg)
4 stars!
*
Let Me Hear a Rhyme was a delight! It had mystery, romance, friendship, and music. The multiple perspective narrative was so so well done that I couldn't help but b swept in by Quadir, Jarrell, and Jasmine's POVs--and Steph, who we got to know mostly from his music and the lyrics presented throughout the novel. They were all so real and complex and well developed and I loved every single one o ...more
*
Headline: Three Kids From Brooklyn Pull Off the Biggest Heist in Hip-Hop History
Let Me Hear a Rhyme was a delight! It had mystery, romance, friendship, and music. The multiple perspective narrative was so so well done that I couldn't help but b swept in by Quadir, Jarrell, and Jasmine's POVs--and Steph, who we got to know mostly from his music and the lyrics presented throughout the novel. They were all so real and complex and well developed and I loved every single one o ...more
It wasn't bad. This was more of a trip down memory lane for me, growing in the '90s and through the rise of hip hop. The book managed the culture of gun violence, paranoia of the police, snitching, financial strain...the background of this book I felt really capture the true atmosphere of the 1990s.
However, this book wasn't what I expected and not in a good way. While reading it, I felt that it was lacking the emotion and the connection you should feel with the characters. I don't know if it was ...more
However, this book wasn't what I expected and not in a good way. While reading it, I felt that it was lacking the emotion and the connection you should feel with the characters. I don't know if it was ...more
Listening to this on audio was a good decision. It brought the rhymes and use of AAVE and slang to life, and I was able to appreciate Steph's music more by actually hearing the messages and power behind the words, rather than just reading them.
I grew up in suburban Australia in the 90s and was obviously very far removed from the New York hip hop scene, so this story was very eye-opening for me in terms of gangs, street violence, financial issues, snitches, and more importantly how music brings ...more
I grew up in suburban Australia in the 90s and was obviously very far removed from the New York hip hop scene, so this story was very eye-opening for me in terms of gangs, street violence, financial issues, snitches, and more importantly how music brings ...more
the concept - a masterpiece
the characters - lovable
the story - amazing
the verses - fire
the characters - lovable
the story - amazing
the verses - fire
RTC
Easily a top 10 book of the year! I didn't get the chance to add any notes because I had a terrible tootache last night. >_<
For now a few thoughts:
The characters were all complex. No on-- other than the murderer-- was truly good or bad. They all made mistakes. They had good intentions.
I've never really understood hip-hop, even though I knew it held a deep significance for the black community. However, Let Me Hear a Rhyme really showed me why it matters so much and why people resonate with it ...more
Easily a top 10 book of the year! I didn't get the chance to add any notes because I had a terrible tootache last night. >_<
For now a few thoughts:
The characters were all complex. No on-- other than the murderer-- was truly good or bad. They all made mistakes. They had good intentions.
I've never really understood hip-hop, even though I knew it held a deep significance for the black community. However, Let Me Hear a Rhyme really showed me why it matters so much and why people resonate with it ...more
This author is known for writing important and meaningful YA books. This book is no exception.
This is the third book that I have read by this author. I have previously read: Allegedly and Monday's Not Coming.
Let Me Hear A Rhyme is told from the POVs of three black teens from Brooklyn and is set in the late 90s. The POVs: Jasmine, Quadir, and Jarrell (all 1st person POVs).
The basic premise of the book is that one of their friends is murdered. And he was a really good rapper. They want to posthumo ...more
This is the third book that I have read by this author. I have previously read: Allegedly and Monday's Not Coming.
Let Me Hear A Rhyme is told from the POVs of three black teens from Brooklyn and is set in the late 90s. The POVs: Jasmine, Quadir, and Jarrell (all 1st person POVs).
The basic premise of the book is that one of their friends is murdered. And he was a really good rapper. They want to posthumo ...more
An absolute MUST READ! I need time to collect myself, so full review to come!
This is my favorite Tiffany Jackson, mainly because I was a teenager during the exact same era as Jasmine, Quadir, Jarrell, and Steph. I remember pagers, recording songs from the radio, and listening to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill for an entire 6 hour flight (on my discman, of course). The innermost part of my soul will always be little Tamika, refusing to take free ice cream even though everyone else is doing it. I think this is probably Tiffany Jackson's most personal book, and her love fo
...more
Headline: Three Kids From Brooklyn Pull Off the Biggest Heist in Hip-Hop History...more
"You may kill the man, but you can never kill his dream."
I loved this so much! That ending brought me to tears!
Once again, Tiffany D. Jackson puts the smack down on a book. I thought this was a beautiful ode to hip hop and a commemoration to fallen rappers for whom there has yet to find justice. Hands in the air: hip hop, hip hop!
Loved the nostalgic feel, realistic characters and wonderful writing!
They had no idea if this plan would really work. Steph was dead but that didn’t mean his memory had to be. All the tapes he had under his bed, the cd they found, the notebooks filled with lyrics all seemed like possibilities to Steph’s two best friends Jarrell and Quadir and his little sister Jasmine. It gave Jarrell and Quadir a chance to put their best friend on the map. And Jasmine only agreed to help if they promised to help find out who killed her big brother. They had a chance to make Ste
...more
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Tiffany D. Jackson is the New York Times Bestselling author of YA novels including the Coretta Scott King — John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning Monday’s Not Coming, the NAACP Image Award-nominated Allegedly, Let Me Hear A Rhyme, and her 2020 title GROWN. She received her bachelor of arts in film from Howard University, her master of arts in media studies from the New School, and has over a decad
...more
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“Kim and Foxy took all the shit that Negros throw at us—calling us bitches, hoes, I pay your bills, blah blah blah—and started using it on themselves. It’s like they took men’s weapons and used it against them. ’Cause once you let someone know they weak-ass words can’t hurt you, that you don’t need them, that you got your own, they no longer have any power over you. And you can be, do, say whatever you want.”
—
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