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How To Talk To Black People
Can someone break through the boundaries they are subconsciously taught to place on other people?
Ivy wants more from life.
She wants more than her double-wide trailer, more than her dead father and drunk mother, and more than her clearance rack clothes. Her one comfort is the quirky and unpredictable Magnus: childhood best friend and member of the Dead Parent's Club.
New student Alex might be her ticket to graduation.
Alex has it all: an award-winning neurosurgeon for a mother, a world-famous athlete for a father, brains, and brawn.
When Alex and Ivy get stuck as Chemistry partners, Ivy rejoices. Alex is her ticket to an easy semester, maybe even college.
But high school isn't enjoyable for any of them. Magnus is misunderstood, Ivy is poor, and Alex is the first black student in the entire school system.
By graduation, their lives will completely change. One will learn who they really are, one will come to terms with their past, and one won't make it out alive.
How to Talk to Black People is an honest and challenging look at how we subconsciously teach those in our community about race and what we're willing to believe about ourselves based on those lessons.
Ivy wants more from life.
She wants more than her double-wide trailer, more than her dead father and drunk mother, and more than her clearance rack clothes. Her one comfort is the quirky and unpredictable Magnus: childhood best friend and member of the Dead Parent's Club.
New student Alex might be her ticket to graduation.
Alex has it all: an award-winning neurosurgeon for a mother, a world-famous athlete for a father, brains, and brawn.
When Alex and Ivy get stuck as Chemistry partners, Ivy rejoices. Alex is her ticket to an easy semester, maybe even college.
But high school isn't enjoyable for any of them. Magnus is misunderstood, Ivy is poor, and Alex is the first black student in the entire school system.
By graduation, their lives will completely change. One will learn who they really are, one will come to terms with their past, and one won't make it out alive.
How to Talk to Black People is an honest and challenging look at how we subconsciously teach those in our community about race and what we're willing to believe about ourselves based on those lessons.
- GenresYoung Adult
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First published March 12, 2019
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153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 31, 2019
I received an e-copy from NetGalley. I never feel like it is my place to review books such as this, as I am a white, middle class female. I’ve never had to deal with being afraid of the police, being worried about what you say or do, having to shrug off racist comments. This book I feel is different, as it is written from the perspective of a white person learning about why the jokes she makes are incredibly hurtful, and incredibly ignorant. I’m ashamed to say people like Ivy still exist in 2019, but they do. This book should be mandatory school reading so we can become better educated, and just better people. The reason I’m only giving this 4 stars is because Ivy was such an unbearable main character, although I am aware this was done intentionally. And now for (some) of my favourite quotes! I have so many!
“They’re is out of touch for what life is like for the rest of us.”
“One of these days she may learn to let her guard down, deflate her pride, or accept responsibility for her problems. One day, but most likely, not today.”
“Unknowingly, she had put him in the position to make a choice between who he is and what their friendship means.”
“Don’t you ever downgrade who you are, what you believe in, or allow yourself to become what people try to tell you that you are.”
“They’re is out of touch for what life is like for the rest of us.”
“One of these days she may learn to let her guard down, deflate her pride, or accept responsibility for her problems. One day, but most likely, not today.”
“Unknowingly, she had put him in the position to make a choice between who he is and what their friendship means.”
“Don’t you ever downgrade who you are, what you believe in, or allow yourself to become what people try to tell you that you are.”
December 22, 2019
I am not quite sure what to say about this book. It took me a bit before writing this review. The story is basically a YA friendship, but it is definitely more. It is about race and class. The author wrote this book with the explicit intention to probe those issues. In that way, the author is successful. There are many situations about inter-rational conversations that ring true.
I didn't see the race of the author, and I have been trying to decide if it mattered. I wondered because I wondered if the author was more familiar with being the receiver of racism or the person who is saying racist things without realizing it. Either way, characters of all races are done well, so the author should be commended.
The challenge I have is there is something slightly wooden about the writing. The dialogue is good but the rest of the description wasn't as strong. I don't know that it matters, though, bc the characters are interesting.
Overall, a solid YA read, and a good one for most people to try.
3.5
I didn't see the race of the author, and I have been trying to decide if it mattered. I wondered because I wondered if the author was more familiar with being the receiver of racism or the person who is saying racist things without realizing it. Either way, characters of all races are done well, so the author should be commended.
The challenge I have is there is something slightly wooden about the writing. The dialogue is good but the rest of the description wasn't as strong. I don't know that it matters, though, bc the characters are interesting.
Overall, a solid YA read, and a good one for most people to try.
3.5
July 29, 2021
Okay, so I know that writing is difficult and I know that it is easy to fall into writing tropes but How to Talk to Black People by A. Anon takes it to a whole new level.
How to Talk to Black People reads like a paint by numbers. The main character is given some unlikable qualities but we also are meant to feel sorry for her because of her alcoholic mother and deceased father. She is held back in school because of her social status – she is poor therefore she cannot be smart. She is affected by the people around her and doesn’t know any better – vis a vis race. The whole set up was to problematic, twee and due for a moment of realisation to neatly wrap up all of the storylines. However, I cannot tell you if that happens because I had to DNF this book.
It was awful. The narrative was over written – seriously just call a bus a bus not a banana yellow machine to take me to my scholastic destiny – okay I’m potentially exaggerating with my example but there were several times when the writer just didn’t call nouns by what they actually were. It was tedious.
I read about 30% of this book and I realised I have several hundred other books that are worthy of my attention and this was draining me of potentially reading a great book.
I’m sorry but How to Talk to Black People was a big, fat DNF for me.
How to Talk to Black People reads like a paint by numbers. The main character is given some unlikable qualities but we also are meant to feel sorry for her because of her alcoholic mother and deceased father. She is held back in school because of her social status – she is poor therefore she cannot be smart. She is affected by the people around her and doesn’t know any better – vis a vis race. The whole set up was to problematic, twee and due for a moment of realisation to neatly wrap up all of the storylines. However, I cannot tell you if that happens because I had to DNF this book.
It was awful. The narrative was over written – seriously just call a bus a bus not a banana yellow machine to take me to my scholastic destiny – okay I’m potentially exaggerating with my example but there were several times when the writer just didn’t call nouns by what they actually were. It was tedious.
I read about 30% of this book and I realised I have several hundred other books that are worthy of my attention and this was draining me of potentially reading a great book.
I’m sorry but How to Talk to Black People was a big, fat DNF for me.
July 1, 2019
I'm having a difficult time piecing my thoughts together for this review, so I'll just type and maybe come back to edit if needed later. I'll try not to spoil anything, which makes this a little more difficult.
The title alone had me curious. I didn't know if it was a gimmick to reel a reader in, or if that was truly what the book was about. I typically read for escape. I'd prefer to leave "real-ish" things behind, if but for a moment, so I like sci-fi, paranormal romances and fantasy, usually. There are times when I like something a little closer to home, but still rather light.
This is not that book.
"How to Talk to Black People is an honest and challenging look at how we subconsciously teach those in our community about race and what we're willing to believe about ourselves based on those lessons."
This book does exactly that. It is not a "fun" read but a necessary one. In the last few years, several news reports had me making the statement,'This shouldn't be happening in 20xx. We should be far from this now" But those reports were proof that it was not so.
I appreciate the author giving a head's up about the book's content and purpose for writing it. Confronting bias and prejudice in a time we believe we shouldn't have to is disheartening and encouraging. Disheartening that there is so much ignorance and hate still thriving, but encouraging that there are more people willing to learn and change. It is for this reason that I actually did not dislike the main character, Ivy. Ivy is the epitome of ignorance; bred by generations of it. She is every ignorant person that believes a group of people are all the same, unaware of the Danger of a Single Story (https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_... ).
In her defense, she'd never gotten an opportunity to know someone that didn't look like her. Despite the ignorance and despite the fear of change and what it meant for everything that she originally believed, she was willing to step outside of her comfort zone (though not without seriously fighting against it). How many of us can say that we welcome that type of challenge?
I think this book is rough, but rightly so. The writing was detailed and I did find myself skimming parts because of it. Sadly, I didn't find Ivy's character shocking, at all. Nor did I find the social groups in the high school a surprise. Humans have a history of wanting to be on top of someone or something. History shows that we find reasons to do this: skin color, heritage, money, ownership and even experience.
I liked the discussion questions that are included at the end of the book. I do think this should be a book that people of all walks of life should read and discuss with an open mind. Change is hard and scary, but must begin in each of us before we will see the outward results in future generations.
There were some editing issues and adult language. 3.5-4 stars
Thank you BookSprout for allowing a free copy. My review is my own opinion.
The title alone had me curious. I didn't know if it was a gimmick to reel a reader in, or if that was truly what the book was about. I typically read for escape. I'd prefer to leave "real-ish" things behind, if but for a moment, so I like sci-fi, paranormal romances and fantasy, usually. There are times when I like something a little closer to home, but still rather light.
This is not that book.
"How to Talk to Black People is an honest and challenging look at how we subconsciously teach those in our community about race and what we're willing to believe about ourselves based on those lessons."
This book does exactly that. It is not a "fun" read but a necessary one. In the last few years, several news reports had me making the statement,'This shouldn't be happening in 20xx. We should be far from this now" But those reports were proof that it was not so.
I appreciate the author giving a head's up about the book's content and purpose for writing it. Confronting bias and prejudice in a time we believe we shouldn't have to is disheartening and encouraging. Disheartening that there is so much ignorance and hate still thriving, but encouraging that there are more people willing to learn and change. It is for this reason that I actually did not dislike the main character, Ivy. Ivy is the epitome of ignorance; bred by generations of it. She is every ignorant person that believes a group of people are all the same, unaware of the Danger of a Single Story (https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_... ).
In her defense, she'd never gotten an opportunity to know someone that didn't look like her. Despite the ignorance and despite the fear of change and what it meant for everything that she originally believed, she was willing to step outside of her comfort zone (though not without seriously fighting against it). How many of us can say that we welcome that type of challenge?
I think this book is rough, but rightly so. The writing was detailed and I did find myself skimming parts because of it. Sadly, I didn't find Ivy's character shocking, at all. Nor did I find the social groups in the high school a surprise. Humans have a history of wanting to be on top of someone or something. History shows that we find reasons to do this: skin color, heritage, money, ownership and even experience.
I liked the discussion questions that are included at the end of the book. I do think this should be a book that people of all walks of life should read and discuss with an open mind. Change is hard and scary, but must begin in each of us before we will see the outward results in future generations.
There were some editing issues and adult language. 3.5-4 stars
Thank you BookSprout for allowing a free copy. My review is my own opinion.
June 7, 2019
Ivy lives in a trailer park and is dirt poor.
Alex moves in and is the son of a doctor/NBA player.
He is killed by the police.
Alex moves in and is the son of a doctor/NBA player.
He is killed by the police.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2019
A special thank you to NetGalley and Kindle for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Can someone really see the errors of what they were taught and subsequently break through the boundaries that they have inflicted on others?
Ivy lives in a trailer park with her drunk mother and is suffocated by the death of her father. Along with her second-hand wardrobe, she also wears a chip on her shoulder. Her only and best friend is the quirky and lovable Magnus who also happens to live in the trailer park with his grandmother after the death of his parents.
There's a new student this year and he's quite impressive—Alex is smart, good-looking and fit. His mother is an award-winning surgeon and his dad was a famous basketball player. Ivy thinks she's hit the jackpot when she finds out that Alex is her lab partner. He's her ticket to an easy A.
But high school is a cruel place when you don't fit in. Ivy is trailer trash, Magnus is misunderstood, and Alex is the only black kid in the entire school. When the year is up, one of them won't see graduation.
How to Talk to Black People is an in-your-face look at how we view race, how we participate in racism, and how we need to be the catalyst for change. It is a challenge to its reader to do better, be better, and to set a better example.
The note to the reader from the author, as well as the character Letitia, were the most compelling parts of the story. Leticia's poise, grace, and wisdom were both insightful and refreshing given the challenges the author seemed to have with the rest of the writing and by extension, the characters. At times the dialogue was clunky and awkward and it took away from the narrative.
Understandably, the reader is not supposed to like Ivy—it wasn't so much that I didn't like her, I didn't like the way she was written and felt that this was some of the weakest writing from the author. Magnus on the other hand was endearing and reminded me of Duckie from Pretty in Pink, projecting a gay vibe but secretly crushing on his best friend.
Where the author was most successful was with their intent. Writing from one perspective, Ivy's, was effective because all of the focus is on the messages, and there's a lot to unpack. The author doesn't shy away from how they present these weighty topics of racism and classism.
My hope is that the finished product is more polished. In the note to the reader, the author seemed a bit defensive in regards to suggestions by a publishing professional to tone down Ivy and I have to agree. I'm not suggesting that Ivy be changed to be more palatable—I think the author is trying to make their audience uncomfortable on purpose so that the reader is forced to examine their own actions/self. My ask is for the author to be more open to suggestion because the work is rough and there are characters that need work. These things detract from the story instead of enhance it.
Can someone really see the errors of what they were taught and subsequently break through the boundaries that they have inflicted on others?
Ivy lives in a trailer park with her drunk mother and is suffocated by the death of her father. Along with her second-hand wardrobe, she also wears a chip on her shoulder. Her only and best friend is the quirky and lovable Magnus who also happens to live in the trailer park with his grandmother after the death of his parents.
There's a new student this year and he's quite impressive—Alex is smart, good-looking and fit. His mother is an award-winning surgeon and his dad was a famous basketball player. Ivy thinks she's hit the jackpot when she finds out that Alex is her lab partner. He's her ticket to an easy A.
But high school is a cruel place when you don't fit in. Ivy is trailer trash, Magnus is misunderstood, and Alex is the only black kid in the entire school. When the year is up, one of them won't see graduation.
How to Talk to Black People is an in-your-face look at how we view race, how we participate in racism, and how we need to be the catalyst for change. It is a challenge to its reader to do better, be better, and to set a better example.
The note to the reader from the author, as well as the character Letitia, were the most compelling parts of the story. Leticia's poise, grace, and wisdom were both insightful and refreshing given the challenges the author seemed to have with the rest of the writing and by extension, the characters. At times the dialogue was clunky and awkward and it took away from the narrative.
Understandably, the reader is not supposed to like Ivy—it wasn't so much that I didn't like her, I didn't like the way she was written and felt that this was some of the weakest writing from the author. Magnus on the other hand was endearing and reminded me of Duckie from Pretty in Pink, projecting a gay vibe but secretly crushing on his best friend.
Where the author was most successful was with their intent. Writing from one perspective, Ivy's, was effective because all of the focus is on the messages, and there's a lot to unpack. The author doesn't shy away from how they present these weighty topics of racism and classism.
My hope is that the finished product is more polished. In the note to the reader, the author seemed a bit defensive in regards to suggestions by a publishing professional to tone down Ivy and I have to agree. I'm not suggesting that Ivy be changed to be more palatable—I think the author is trying to make their audience uncomfortable on purpose so that the reader is forced to examine their own actions/self. My ask is for the author to be more open to suggestion because the work is rough and there are characters that need work. These things detract from the story instead of enhance it.
August 27, 2019
This story centres on Ivy who lives in a trailer park with her drunk mother and the sad memory of her dead father. Along with her bargain basement wardrobe, she also has a bit of an attitude. Her one and only best friend is the quirky and very likeable Magnus who also lives in the trailer park with his grandmother after the death of his parents.
There's a new student at school Alex, he is smart, good-looking and brilliant at sport. His mother is an award-winning surgeon and his dad is a big name in the basketball world. Ivy thinks this may be the chance for her to finally get out of her remedial class when she finds out that Alex is her lab partner. He's her ticket to an easy A.
High school is hard going for most but Ivy feels it is especially difficult for her, where everyone looks down their noses at her and considers her trailer trash. Can she ever see how hard it is for Alex being the only black kid at school and in the neighbourhood. Will she ever see things through his eyes?
This book was very thought provoking and talks about racism, stereotypes and class structures.
I think that this book needs more recognition as it sends out a very important message.
It is aimed at the Teen/YA market but should be read by adults alike.
Some of it was very hard to read for me, to actually believe that there are people out there with such ignorance in this day and age, or ever, is a bitter pill to swallow.
I hated the thought of anyone having to role play with their kids about how to act around police just because of the colour of their skin. To actually fear that they might kill you if you made one wrong move is just beyond belief.
Some of the situations within the book didn't flow as well as they could; it was as if they had been stuck in as an afterthought. I feel it still needs a little tweaking here and there.
I don't really think that Ivy was that shocking either so not really sure why the author was asked to tone her down.
Overall, this is a very good book and to be honest, I cried my eyes out in the end. Even though I knew it was coming, it broke my heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in return for an honest review.
There's a new student at school Alex, he is smart, good-looking and brilliant at sport. His mother is an award-winning surgeon and his dad is a big name in the basketball world. Ivy thinks this may be the chance for her to finally get out of her remedial class when she finds out that Alex is her lab partner. He's her ticket to an easy A.
High school is hard going for most but Ivy feels it is especially difficult for her, where everyone looks down their noses at her and considers her trailer trash. Can she ever see how hard it is for Alex being the only black kid at school and in the neighbourhood. Will she ever see things through his eyes?
This book was very thought provoking and talks about racism, stereotypes and class structures.
I think that this book needs more recognition as it sends out a very important message.
It is aimed at the Teen/YA market but should be read by adults alike.
Some of it was very hard to read for me, to actually believe that there are people out there with such ignorance in this day and age, or ever, is a bitter pill to swallow.
I hated the thought of anyone having to role play with their kids about how to act around police just because of the colour of their skin. To actually fear that they might kill you if you made one wrong move is just beyond belief.
Some of the situations within the book didn't flow as well as they could; it was as if they had been stuck in as an afterthought. I feel it still needs a little tweaking here and there.
I don't really think that Ivy was that shocking either so not really sure why the author was asked to tone her down.
Overall, this is a very good book and to be honest, I cried my eyes out in the end. Even though I knew it was coming, it broke my heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in return for an honest review.
April 12, 2019
**E-book provided by NetGalley**
This book started off so cringey. So, so cringey. However, the author's note at the beginning of the text really helped me stick with it and understand why it was written in such a way.
For starters, I really wish I could know the author and take a look at his/her Facebook feed. At the beginning, the author states that a lot of the tough details and jokes she got straight from her personal Facebook feed. That blows my mind, but was a serious eye-opener to a lot of the race-related issues we still face today.
There were some tough subjects covered in this book from racism to classism, but it was seriously such an easy read. I think that was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. It's important to have an accessible text that talks about those issues that are so often ignored, and this book does a great job of that.
Overall, aside from the tough issues, this book is also about teen friendships, and I think the author does a great job of exploring the complexities of those relationships and how different they are from adult friendships. She shows how easy it is to be on-again, off-again, but also how important those friendships are to surviving everyday life in high school which is no easy feat.
I seriously enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in learning more about racism/how to combat racism with their friends & family. Great read!
This book started off so cringey. So, so cringey. However, the author's note at the beginning of the text really helped me stick with it and understand why it was written in such a way.
For starters, I really wish I could know the author and take a look at his/her Facebook feed. At the beginning, the author states that a lot of the tough details and jokes she got straight from her personal Facebook feed. That blows my mind, but was a serious eye-opener to a lot of the race-related issues we still face today.
There were some tough subjects covered in this book from racism to classism, but it was seriously such an easy read. I think that was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. It's important to have an accessible text that talks about those issues that are so often ignored, and this book does a great job of that.
Overall, aside from the tough issues, this book is also about teen friendships, and I think the author does a great job of exploring the complexities of those relationships and how different they are from adult friendships. She shows how easy it is to be on-again, off-again, but also how important those friendships are to surviving everyday life in high school which is no easy feat.
I seriously enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in learning more about racism/how to combat racism with their friends & family. Great read!
May 26, 2019
Ivy is not a particularly likeable character. She’s got a chip on her shoulder about being ‘poor white trash’ as her schoolmates call her. Her best friend Magnus is a shoulder to prop her up, but she knows very little about him. When she gets teamed up with new schoolmate Alex (the only black student in their school), she can’t understand how her joke about picking cotton could be deemed insulting.
For such a short book, there’s a lot packed in here. It’s written from the view of someone who is - even though she has many disadvantages - privileged in comparison to many. She slowly has her eyes opened to how we can, often without being conscious of it, perpetuate stereotypes.
So many awkward scenes in this, not least the end situation regarding Alex.
Definitely a topical read, and one to get people talking, though certain events took place seemingly quickly.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.
For such a short book, there’s a lot packed in here. It’s written from the view of someone who is - even though she has many disadvantages - privileged in comparison to many. She slowly has her eyes opened to how we can, often without being conscious of it, perpetuate stereotypes.
So many awkward scenes in this, not least the end situation regarding Alex.
Definitely a topical read, and one to get people talking, though certain events took place seemingly quickly.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.
April 9, 2019
I disliked the beginning of this book so much that I thought about not finishing it. It started out with a very negative POV. IHowever, I kept in mind that one of the author's intents was to move people out of their comfort zone and kept reading. This book ended up being a powerful story about biases and prejudices, and not solely about black-white relationships. The author states that the attitudes in the story come from real life; it's hard to believe people are so ignorant in this day and age. Even worse are those who hold these attitudes out of hate. It's too bad that a major publisher didn't take this on, as the public would benefit if this message was wide spread.
4 stars instead of 5 as the book could use some more editing and proofreading.
4 stars instead of 5 as the book could use some more editing and proofreading.
June 18, 2019
This book is a must read. Besides it being relevant in today’s time, it is very well written and teaches at the same time. I devoured this book and have already recommended it to people. The author states that she insisted that the book be published as written. I am so glad she did this. Kudos and thank you so much for this book Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.
July 6, 2019
So I found myself a little unsure about taking on this book to read. I am glad I read it. There is some rough language, some offensive language but still something we could all benefit from. It delves into the understanding that we are all different and that being a part of a certain group doesn't define who we are. It takes you out into the unknown and makes you get uncomfortable. While it is a novel about a person named Ivy it is real.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 22, 2019
If you need a way to start a conversation, a way to spark change in society, I think I've found it. This book is cringe-worthy because the author hits the nail on the head. It is exactly what it needs to be. You will be begging Ivy to hold her tongue, to wake up. And when she finally does see her blatant racism and begin to accept others, you will want to cry for the pain she continues to endure. This book can be eye-opening and should get us talking about how racism is still possible in 2019.
June 6, 2020
This is a difficult book to review. It was self-published anonymously and it shows. Yet it does deliver a powerful message. I sincerely wish the author had been able to find an agent to help get this published. With the work of a great editor, this book could have been amazing. Still, the story told here is an important one and I am grateful for reading it.
October 9, 2019
I'm really disappointed in this …
I had high expectations..
I didn't like the ideas behind the words more then the writing style and the story in general …
This book will for sure , have contrasting reviews depending on the reader ideas , believes and way of thinking ….
I had high expectations..
I didn't like the ideas behind the words more then the writing style and the story in general …
This book will for sure , have contrasting reviews depending on the reader ideas , believes and way of thinking ….
December 9, 2019
I was very enthused to read this book. Reading books from different points of view than mine has always been enjoyable and challenging for me. However, I could never get into this one. The characters never really clicked with me. I sadly, could not finish this book.
May 16, 2023
Absolutely amazing. I love that it's not sugar coated. And keeping it from one point of view makes it easier to keep up with everything.
August 27, 2019
This book was an interesting read. I live in the rural south and my children have gone through schools that are very racially diverse, as financially comfortable white kids. They have had friends (thank goodness) from all different ethnicity, race, religion, sexuality and social class. Many of the characters in this book were stereotypical of kids that have gone to the schools or who live in our area and therefore believable. Even the ugliness of things said by Ivy from the beginning are understandable given her background and what she has been exposed to her entire life. If anything, it reinforces the need for books such as this one to open up the discussion rather than debate over how to speak to each other when our backgrounds are unique to our own conditions. In Ivy's case, she had ignorance from her family, loss of a parent and then neglect from the other and poverty to try to overcome in an environment of a well-heeled school system. So as awful as she was, I think her bravery in trying to keep going makes her a redeemable character.
So, although most likely for brevity, this seemed to have every stereotype possible to make the points on key issues, race, class, sexuality, it also hit many of these well. For my taste, I would have preferred a little more nuance and less obvious tropes but for the discussion purpose that this book was trying to meet, I think it does this well. I liked the willingness of the characters to have open and free discussions about social issues that were differences between them to better understand what life is like in someone else's skin.
I agree with some of the other reviews that there were some issues that seemed to resolve too easily, that in my opinion, would be unlikely to occur in reality. And I would also say that, even if a child is the son of amazingly accomplished parents and gifted in his own right, is it realistic that he would call out the local neurosurgeon on stage in front of his entire class (as the new kid) and be able to recite his mother's research? Maybe....but most kids don't care that much about what their parents are doing honestly. This does not detract from the story at all and I would highly recommend this book.
#HowToTalkToBlackPeople #NetGalley
So, although most likely for brevity, this seemed to have every stereotype possible to make the points on key issues, race, class, sexuality, it also hit many of these well. For my taste, I would have preferred a little more nuance and less obvious tropes but for the discussion purpose that this book was trying to meet, I think it does this well. I liked the willingness of the characters to have open and free discussions about social issues that were differences between them to better understand what life is like in someone else's skin.
I agree with some of the other reviews that there were some issues that seemed to resolve too easily, that in my opinion, would be unlikely to occur in reality. And I would also say that, even if a child is the son of amazingly accomplished parents and gifted in his own right, is it realistic that he would call out the local neurosurgeon on stage in front of his entire class (as the new kid) and be able to recite his mother's research? Maybe....but most kids don't care that much about what their parents are doing honestly. This does not detract from the story at all and I would highly recommend this book.
#HowToTalkToBlackPeople #NetGalley
August 30, 2019
The story presented could be based on one of the many headlines from any news day in America, which made it relatable and hard to grapple with at the same time. Having the story from Ivy’s perspective, a white highschool teenager girl, Anon shows how powerful the culture we grow up in impacts how we interact with different cultures. Many of the ‘ah-ha’ moments Ivy has while learning to interact with Alex and his family are cringeworthy to read because the elements of truth are raw and the dialog use brings the tension right off the page. To me this shows the power of the story and the effective writing style of the author. While hard to read at times, I did appreciate the realness of the story and the pain that one person’s words can have towards another. As a reader, I was able to get in the head of Ivy and feel the struggle of wanting to fit in, but battling the perceived injustices against her. I was rooting for the change in Ivy’s attitude through experience, but the rawness provided a just ending. This novel is a different perspective in today’s cultural narrative on race.
July 26, 2019
** Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review **
Me parece genial que sé publiquen libros que alienten a hablar sobre racismo, que nos obligan a re pensar todos nuestros conceptos y nuestras acciones, y provoquen un cambio. Eso es lo que me paso con este libro. Me parece importante, teniendo en cuenta el genero del libro, que se publiquen este tipo de materiales para adolescentes y jóvenes, que hagan que esos puedan re pensar sus acciones, y que sean el punta pie para poder hablar de temas difíciles como el racismo.
Me parece genial que sé publiquen libros que alienten a hablar sobre racismo, que nos obligan a re pensar todos nuestros conceptos y nuestras acciones, y provoquen un cambio. Eso es lo que me paso con este libro. Me parece importante, teniendo en cuenta el genero del libro, que se publiquen este tipo de materiales para adolescentes y jóvenes, que hagan que esos puedan re pensar sus acciones, y que sean el punta pie para poder hablar de temas difíciles como el racismo.
April 12, 2019
I missed reviewing this before the publication date, however, once I started it I knew I would finish it. I think it took me 3 days (amongst many other pressing to-dos) to complete. It is a very easy read about very difficult subjects.
I think all reviews of this book should start with a disclaimer about the reviewer's race. That way other readers can gauge their responses better. I am white, born and bred in South Africa. The story in SA is a little different but still very much the same. I have known many Ivy's. I have grown up in Ivy's house. I have been Ivy.
Reading has been the THING that has helped me to shake that cultural norm. Reading creates empathy with people whose experience you can not even imagine. I have read broadly, intentional seeking out stories different to mine.
I have struggled with the question of how to respond to someone when they make a racist comment. I always feel so shocked at the audacity and yet immobilised. After reading this book, I feel that it is my duty to not be complicit in the dribble that people spout around me. I must confront the comment to make it clear that talking, let alone thinking, like that is unacceptable!
Now to the writerly aspects of this novel. There is so much about this story that I love. I fell into the world wholeheartedly and didn't look back. However...
It's obvious that it was rushed. I truly hope the ARC I read was edited and re-edited because there were many spelling mistakes, speech marks excluded and other grammar issues. The pace and subject of the story kept me hooked but I do feel it could have been more nuanced and maybe a bit expanded. I guess I wanted the story to be longer. In a way, though, I can see how it feeling brief is also part of the message.
The characters seemed to serve specific purposes and so, although layered, they sometimes seemed flat. The story culminates in Alex's mother giving a press statement. I felt like the whole story was shaped around that moment. Obviously, this is how stories work, but I could see the anonymous author with her pen flicking back and forth.
So, my final assessment is: this should be required reading, everywhere! once it is edited...
I think all reviews of this book should start with a disclaimer about the reviewer's race. That way other readers can gauge their responses better. I am white, born and bred in South Africa. The story in SA is a little different but still very much the same. I have known many Ivy's. I have grown up in Ivy's house. I have been Ivy.
Reading has been the THING that has helped me to shake that cultural norm. Reading creates empathy with people whose experience you can not even imagine. I have read broadly, intentional seeking out stories different to mine.
I have struggled with the question of how to respond to someone when they make a racist comment. I always feel so shocked at the audacity and yet immobilised. After reading this book, I feel that it is my duty to not be complicit in the dribble that people spout around me. I must confront the comment to make it clear that talking, let alone thinking, like that is unacceptable!
Now to the writerly aspects of this novel. There is so much about this story that I love. I fell into the world wholeheartedly and didn't look back. However...
It's obvious that it was rushed. I truly hope the ARC I read was edited and re-edited because there were many spelling mistakes, speech marks excluded and other grammar issues. The pace and subject of the story kept me hooked but I do feel it could have been more nuanced and maybe a bit expanded. I guess I wanted the story to be longer. In a way, though, I can see how it feeling brief is also part of the message.
The characters seemed to serve specific purposes and so, although layered, they sometimes seemed flat. The story culminates in Alex's mother giving a press statement. I felt like the whole story was shaped around that moment. Obviously, this is how stories work, but I could see the anonymous author with her pen flicking back and forth.
So, my final assessment is: this should be required reading, everywhere! once it is edited...
April 30, 2019
**i received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
This book sounded so good. Class, race, and how they impact us in unseen ways.
Although the story is an important one, I found it hard to care about Ivy and her experience. The writing is often stiff and clunky in many ways. I can concede that perhaps ivy is not supposed to be likeable but it makes the story harder to connect to.
Magnus is adorably quirky. He reminded me of the guy friends in ‘80’s cinema. Even he couldn’t save this story. With a little polishing, this book could be an important one. As it is, it was hard to get through.
This book sounded so good. Class, race, and how they impact us in unseen ways.
Although the story is an important one, I found it hard to care about Ivy and her experience. The writing is often stiff and clunky in many ways. I can concede that perhaps ivy is not supposed to be likeable but it makes the story harder to connect to.
Magnus is adorably quirky. He reminded me of the guy friends in ‘80’s cinema. Even he couldn’t save this story. With a little polishing, this book could be an important one. As it is, it was hard to get through.
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