All American Boys in 2016 Hub Reading Challenge

Feb 29, 2016 Scott Fillner rated it it was amazing

Whoa....what a powerful story. Sometimes when you hear all about how great something is, and you finally read it and see it, you are like, "I thought that was going to be better." ....well I am saying is this book is nothing like that! This book is raw and powerful. I let is filled with strong emotion and amazingly well developed characters. It has an impactful story, that will be sure to Elicit amazing discussion.

I highly recommend this novel to upper YA and even adult. You will not be disappoi ...more

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Jan 29, 2016 Ellie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, teen, 2016-hub-challenge

I have chills.
This book was beautifully and powerfully written. The subject matter is not simplified, and no one tries to make sense of it. The book ends without an answer, as it should. It's an English teacher's dream - something well-written, tackling current events with a hook for even reluctant readers. The dual narratives give depth and provide a wonderful starting place for conversation. The writing is lyrical at times while still entirely approachable.
This is an important book that I hop ...more

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Jul 08, 2016 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: realistic-fiction

This should be required reading for every American child. First, it tells the story of Rashad, a black boy, being beaten badly, by a white cop, over a simple misunderstanding. Then it tells the same story from a white peer, Quinn, who witnessed the beating and recognized the cop as being his best friend's brother and a neighborhood hero. Quinn is torn up with anguish over right and wrong as he debates his part in this. Should he run away or stand up and do something? Rashad debates as well: shou ...more

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Sep 14, 2016 Charlene rated it really liked it

I got about a third way through the book. As a school librarian you can imagine my list of books to read is incredibly long!!1 However I do think the book really sucked the reader into reality of the two worlds. I also think it brought to light how the fight of civil equality is no one person's job alone, but we need allies. Teaching that concept should come to play at a younger than these two male main characters. ...more

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Dec 27, 2017 Nicole McLaren rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-hub-challenge, mclaren-ya-reads

I don’t know why I’ve been taking so long to read this work. Yes, there’s a police incident involving a young black man, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about family, loyalty,community, friendship, loss, escape, opportunity. Quinn and Rashad have too much going on and a lot of people relying on them to succeed. This continues to be an important read for kids and adults.

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Feb 04, 2016 Julie Trapp rated it liked it

Not sure what I didn't really like about this book, but I could not wait to finish it. It did nothing for me. It definitely is a topic in the news, a topic that is relevant & the characters were very real. Judging teens by their clothing/ hair/speech is not fair, but, a fact of life. If you do not want to be judged unfairly, don't dress/act in a manner that people will misinterpret. ...more

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Jan 11, 2016 Anna Chappell rated it it was amazing

Incredibly important story, but it's also well-written, with compelling characters and voices, especially Rashad's. Absolutely loved it.

eta: Just as powerful the second time. ...more

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Jul 23, 2016 Kyna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-hub-challenge

I'm not going to lie... I cried. This book that is soul crushingly relevant for today that shows the #BlackLivesMatter movement from two perspectives. ...more

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