Anger Is a Gift : A Novel
Author(s): Mark Oshiro
*31st Annual Lammy Finalist for LGBTQ Children’s/Young Adult category*
*2019 ALA Schneider Family Book Award Teen Winner*
*Buzzfeed's 24 Best YA Books of 2018*
*Vulture's 38 Best LGBTQ YA Novels*
*Book Riot's Best Books 2018*
*Hyable's Most Anticipated Queer YA Books of 2018*
*The Mary Sue's 18 Books You Should Read in 2018*
Moss Jeffries is many things—considerate student, devoted son, loyal friend and affectionate boyfriend, enthusiastic nerd.
But sometimes Moss still wishes he could be someone else—someone without panic attacks, someone whose father was still alive, someone who hadn’t become a rallying point for a community because of one horrible night.
And most of all, he wishes he didn’t feel so stuck.
Moss can’t even escape at school—he and his friends are subject to the lack of funds and crumbling infrastructure at West Oakland High, as well as constant intimidation by the resource officer stationed in their halls. That was even before the new regulations—it seems sometimes that the students are treated more like criminals.
Something will have to change—but who will listen to a group of teens?
When tensions hit a fever pitch and tragedy strikes again, Moss must face a difficult choice: give in to fear and hate or realize that anger can actually be a gift.
Review(s):
"Anger is a Gift is an explosion of fury and revolution. Mark Oshiro's beautiful and brutal debut proves that not only can anyone be a hero, but great change comes when the heroes work together." —Adam Silvera, New York Times bestselling author of They Both Die at the End
"Raw, unflinching, and full of heart. Anger is a Gift is a masterpiece." —Marieke Nijkamp, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before I Let Go
“This debut novel provides a riveting, devastatingly realistic portrayal of the criminalization of marginalized groups and an unwavering examination of the lasting impact of bigotry. His teenage characters have authentic intersectional depth and are developed beyond the various ways society labels them: black, Latinx, disabled, Muslim, asexual, nonbinary, gay, lesbian…the narrative is compelling, providing a new and noteworthy account that continues the conversation and depiction of society's opposition to otherness. This is not to be missed and should be placed in a prominent position in every library serving teens.”— Voya, Jewel Davis.
"An emotional roller-coaster." —Publishers Weekly
“A masterful debut rich with intersectional nuance and grass-roots clarity, Anger is a Gift is hella precious, hella dope.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"A strong addition to the current wave of excellent social justice–themed contemporary realistic titles. Give this to fans of Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give.”—School Library Journal (starred review)
“Oshiro’s novel asks both its characters and its readers what to do next.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Long-listed Buzzfeed Best Books of the Year (2018), Winner Schneider Family Book Award (2019), Short-listed Lambda Literary Award - Nominee (2019)
ISBN: 9781250167026