ISBN: 978-1534462724
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2020
Genre/Format: Historical Fiction/ Paperback, Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Awards
William C. Morris YA Debut Award, 2021
Reading Level Ages 14+ (NoveList)
Plot Summary: Set against the backdrop of the L.A. Riots in 1992, The Black Kids is a novel about Ashley, a high school senior at a mostly-white private school. Primarily concerned with getting into Stanford and picking out a prom dress, Ashley begins to question what kind of person she is as she makes choices that hurt people around her. Her last two months of school coincide with the L.A. Riots and though they seem far away from her privileged life on the Westside, the realities of being black in Los Angeles encroach on Ashley's family and friends until she can't help but face the truth. As Ashley's sister and uncle become directly impacted by the riots, Ashley recognizes that she cannot ignore her blackness and that she must contend with past and present in order to have a hopeful future.
Author Background: Christina Hammonds Reed was born and raised in Los Angeles. She earned her MFA from the USC’s School of Cinematic Arts (Simon & Schuster). The Black Kids is her debut novel.
Critical Evaluation: Told in the first person, we quickly acclimate to Ashley's point of view and empathize with her even as she makes frustrating choices that hurt those she loves. Without spoiling the ending, I will add that the author's use of future tense when writing about Ashley's sister's consequences feels odd and took me out of the story. Otherwise, The Black Kids is a compelling novel that gives a history lesson without being preachy.
Speed-Round Book Talk: It's 1992 and Los Angeles is up in flames as a reaction to the Rodney King verdict. High schooler Ashley thinks the riots are far away but, as the story unfolds, she realizes just how close to home they actually are.
Library Program: Because I live in Los Angeles, I would encourage teens to read this book in April in honor of the anniversary of the riots. I would have the teens participate in a staged reading of Anna Deavere Smith's Twilight: Los Angeles, her play about the 1992 riots. Alternatively, I would screen the movie version of her play.
Potential Challenges: This book contains drug use, abuse and violence, sex and language. Some parents might find this objectionable but my response is that this is the reality teens live in and it does not help to shelter them.
Reason for Inclusion: The world needs to hear more stories about black girls like Ashley; girls who are normal teens but also flawed and hopeful. Many readers will see themselves reflected in her or her friends, or they will come to empathize with her. And all will learn about past events that frame and give greater understanding to today's Black Lives Matter movement.
References
A&E. (2017). L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later - Preview | April 18th | A&E. You Tube.
https://youtu.be/fAlJbxX5Mf0
Simon & Schuster. Christina Hammonds Reed. Simon & Schuster.
Simon Teen. (2020). The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed | Book Trailer. You Tube.
https://youtu.be/7xU1pUvkQ48
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