{"product_id":"9781534462724","title":"The Black Kids","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eThe Black Kids\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): Christina Hammonds Reed\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eA William C. Morris Award Finalist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Should be required reading in every classroom.” —Nic Stone, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of \u003ci\u003eDear Martin\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “A true love letter to Los Angeles.” —Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of \u003ci\u003eLittle \u0026amp; Lion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “A brilliantly poetic take on one of the most defining moments in Black American history.” —Tiffany D. Jackson, author of \u003ci\u003eGrown\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMonday’s Not Coming\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eThe Hate U Give\u003c\/i\u003e, this unforgettable coming-of-age debut novel explores issues of race, class, and violence through the eyes of a wealthy black teenager whose family gets caught in the vortex of the 1992 Rodney King Riots.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLos Angeles, 1992\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAshley Bennett and her friends are living the charmed life. It’s the end of senior year and they’re spending more time at the beach than in the classroom. They can already feel the sunny days and endless possibilities of summer.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eEverything changes one afternoon in April, when four LAPD officers are acquitted after beating a black man named Rodney King half to death. Suddenly, Ashley’s not just one of the girls. She’s one of the black kids.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAs violent protests engulf LA and the city burns, Ashley tries to continue on as if life were normal. Even as her self-destructive sister gets dangerously involved in the riots. Even as the model black family façade her wealthy and prominent parents have built starts to crumble. Even as her best friends help spread a rumor that could completely derail the future of her classmate and fellow black kid, LaShawn Johnson.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eWith her world splintering around her, Ashley, along with the rest of LA, is left to question who is the \u003ci\u003eus\u003c\/i\u003e? And who is the \u003ci\u003ethem\u003c\/i\u003e?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eThe Black Kids\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e A \u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e BESTSELLER\u003cbr\u003e A WILLIAM C. MORRIS AWARD FINALIST\u003cbr\u003e RECEIVED FIVE STARRED REVIEWS\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e* \u003c\/b\u003e“\u003cb\u003eIncredibly nuanced\u003c\/b\u003e…An excellent addition to all teen collections with a relatable main character who will lead readers through this heated moment in time.”—\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, starred\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e* \u003c\/b\u003e“Christina Hammonds Reed’s debut novel, \u003ci\u003eThe Black Kids\u003c\/i\u003e, is set in 1992 but \u003cb\u003ehas a timeliness that often feels uncanny\u003c\/b\u003e…Reed addresses experiences common to Black teens in both 1992 and 2020 with grace and nuance. Her sentences are \u003cb\u003esearingly beautiful\u003c\/b\u003e…This is \u003cb\u003ea striking debut\u003c\/b\u003e that fearlessly contributes to ongoing discussions of race, justice and power.”—\u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e, starred\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e* \u003c\/b\u003e“Reed's stark account of the limitations Black communities have historically faced in the United States, regardless of socioeconomic status, is \u003cb\u003ean answer to the calls for equity and racial justice\u003c\/b\u003e that for too long have been ignored.”—\u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e, starred\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e “\u003cb\u003eA timely exploration\u003c\/b\u003e of ’90s Los Angeles during racial upheaval and one girl's awakening.”—\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e “I’ve never read a book that \u003cb\u003eso aptly delves into the harrowing shift from black girl to black woman\u003c\/b\u003e, while chronicling one of the most resounding examples of systemic racism in recent American history. \u003cb\u003eShould be required reading in every classroom\u003c\/b\u003e.”—Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eDear Martin\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e “Infused with honesty, heart, and humor, \u003ci\u003eThe Black Kids\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003ea true love letter to Los Angeles\u003c\/b\u003e, highlighting the beauty and flaws of the city, and the people who call it home.”—Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of \u003ci\u003eLittle \u0026amp; Lion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e “\u003cb\u003eA brilliantly poetic take\u003c\/b\u003e on one of the most defining moments in Black American history.”—Tiffany D. Jackson, author of \u003ci\u003eGrown\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMonday’s Not Coming\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9781534462724\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster Books for Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":40591161917646,"sku":"9781534462724","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/O_9e4be5f2-79fe-4520-8193-695d0e5b8bbe.jpg?v=1646603882","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9781534462724","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}