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Matthew I am pretty sure that ¨All American Boys¨ is one of my favorite books that I have e'er read. This book actually made me remember about how people recollect ab…more I am pretty certain that ¨All American Boys¨ is one of my favorite books that I have ever read. This book actually made me remember nearly how people remember most others by their looks and how jumping to conclusions can lead to many bad things.
On page 21-23 it shows that Rashad, ane of the main characters getting trounce up by a police officer afterwards getting defendant for stealing on Fri afternoon. When other people around the fight were recording, the police officer was punching and kicking Rashad, the law officer also refers to Rashad equally a "thug". The constabulary officer chosen him that because Rashad was black and his pants were sagging, giving the law officer the impression the Rashad was a thug. Another affair that made the police officeholder keep punching and kicking at Rashad was the fact that Rashad was moving around when the police officer was arresting him. The police officer thought that Rashad was trying to resist, but really he was just reacting to the pain. After, when
Rashad was at the hospital recovering from broken ribs and a broken nose, His dad asked him this question after he woke up," Were your pants sagging?". Rashad was startled past that question considering he always wore sagging pants and his dad never said anything about it before. Everyone in Rashad's neighborhood also knew that he was a good kid because the fact that he is in ROTC. ROTC stands for Reserve Officer Grooming Corps which is for the pre-armed forces. Since he was in this program, many people didn't call up that he would just change randomly and start stealing. Throughout the book, more and more people see the video of him getting beat upwardly by the police officer that was recorded on that Friday afternoon. At the end of the volume, where the people of Springfield started a march to the police section, they all started chanting,¨Springfield PD, nosotros don't want brutality!¨. Somewhen Rashad comes out of the hospital in the middle of this march and joins in.
Jumping to conclusions in real life can finish up good or bad. I this book though, jumping to conclusions goes to a completely new level. Just because the police officer saw that Rashad's pants were sagging and that he was blackness, he automatically causeless that Rashad was trying to steal the fries. In the book, while Rashad was picking up his chips, the woman behind him tripped and knocked him over while he was looking for his phone in his haversack. When he fell over he dropped the fries next to his backpack. When the law officeholder saw that Rashad's haversack was open and that the chips were next to his haversack, the police officer thought that Rashad was trying to steal the chips. This relates to jumping to conclusions because the police officer did jump to conclusions when he started punching and kick Rashad. I think that the constabulary officer should have waited by the door and encounter if Rashad was going to pay or not. If Rashad did pay for the fries, the constabulary officer would meet him then just allow him exit. If Rashad did just commencement trying to run out the door, the police officer would be there to cease him. "I reached into my pocket to grab the dollar I had designated to pay for those stupid chips. Merely earlier I could get my fingers on the money, the cop had me knotted in a submission hold…", that is what Rashad was thinking when the cop first saw him and was heading towards him.
This volume taught me very important lessons. I read this book because of my volume club choice, but I don't regret picking "All American Boys" because I ended up liking this book. I would recommend this volume to anyone who likes realistic fiction and anyone who likes books who are written in the 1st person. (less)

Nicole Juniors and Seniors in loftier school.

Community Reviews

 · 37,461 ratings  · 6,367 reviews

Starting time your review of All American Boys

Wow! This was incredibly powerful. This is a book that will move yous and challenge yous to retrieve most the globe that we currently live in. It focuses on racism and constabulary brutality. I actually respected the emphasis on how not all police force are bad, but that there can be power imbalances. This book definitely left a mark on me and I know that it'southward i that I'll recollect most oft.

Jun 08, 2015 Beth rated it information technology was amazing

Books salvage lives. And they modify hearts and minds. This will be i of those books.

February 27, 2021 Larry rated information technology it was amazing

I feel the same way I did after reading The Hate U Give - a powerful, well written story that tin be appreciated by all. But if it's non already, this should exist required reading for middle and high schoolhouse students. Looking forrard to reading more by Jason Reynolds.

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

#RashadIsAbsentAgainToday

I'm going to be perfectly honest here and say All American Boys is non the nearly well-written book you lot'll ever find. However, it might be i of the nigh of import and I encourage any parent of a center-grader to

force them to encourage them to read information technology.

I generally try to keep my not-book opinions off of Goodreads, only . . . .

I'm telling you right now, if you are a

Trump supporter person who already kno Detect all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

#RashadIsAbsentAgainToday

I'm going to be perfectly honest here and say All American Boys is non the most well-written volume you'll e'er observe. Withal, it might be one of the about important and I encourage any parent of a middle-grader to

forcefulness them to encourage them to read information technology.

I generally try to keep my non-volume opinions off of Goodreads, merely . . . .

I'm telling you right now, if you are a

Trump supporter person who already knows yous aren't going to agree with this review . . . .

Rashad is absent . . . . again today afterward beingness mistaken for a shoplifter and suffering from broken ribs, a broken nose and internal bleeding inflicted upon him by his arresting police officer. Quinn didn't witness what happened within the corner store, but was outside when Rashad was taken downwardly by a cop who just so happens to be a family friend/mentor. This is their story of how they each deal with the aftermath of this atmospherics over several days.

I started reading this volume on the twenty-four hours an unarmed black man with his arms in the air was filmed by a police chopper beingness executed in the centre of the street. The explanation past the law department? He was reaching into his auto window and they thought it was for a weapon. Reaching into a car window THAT WAS Airtight. Now they say they call up maybe he had PCP within the vehicle . . . just the tests haven't come up back even so. *eye roll* And, per usual, the country is up-in-artillery and making excuses for this murder because the guy should accept got on the ground like he was told and nix would have happened. Correct. Just similar "zip happened" to Charles Kinsey. Instead of making excuses for why deadly force was necessary in order to subdue a man surrounded past constabulary WITH HIS GODDAMN Artillery Up, why aren't people asking why in the fuck WASN'T deadly strength used on a suspected terrorist who was actively engaging in a shoot 'em up with police only somehow was merely shot in the shoulder. Seriously people WAKE.UP. And don't even think to try and say I'm a police hater. My view on this entire issue is very simple . . . .

Simply no. Instead of talking about cops who are apparently not cut out to be cops and why it's immediately okay to arraign the victim in every one of these instances and how the hell we fix the glaring problem of race relations in this state nosotros instead go up-in-arms and rage out for weeks well-nigh a potentially washed-up quarterback deciding to have a knee . . . .

FUCK. THAT.

I live in a city that defiles the National Anthem every Dominicus by screaming "home of the CHIEFS" rather than "Brave," but those aforementioned dumbshit rednecks are ready to "dial someone in the head" if they don't stand up for a fucking song. (Word to the wise – don't pull a Kanye and say this to someone in a wheelchair accidentally.) Every bit this book puts information technology so well . . . .

Nobody says the words anymore, but somehow the violence still remains.

Information technology too reminds us that . . . .

History can only teach its lesson if it is remembered.

It's time to ask yourselves . . .

Where was I the year all these black American boys were lying in the streets?

And understand that . . .

IF YOU ARE NEUTRAL IN SITUATIONS OF INJUSTICE, Y'all Have Chosen THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSOR.

There'south an sometime saying if you don't stand up for something you'll fall for anything. Information technology'south time to stand up . . . . or sit downward . . . . or take a knee. Any you come across fit . . . .

"This is a whorl call! SEAN BELL! Then she followed with "Absent again today! OSCAR GRANT! Absent over again today! REKIA BOYD! Absent again today! RAMARLEY GRAHAM!" She paused, and at that point the rest of us knew exactly what to do. "Absent again today!" "AIYANA JONES!" "Absent-minded again today!" "FREDDIE Gray!" "Absent once more today!" "MICHAEL Brown!" "Absent again today!" "TAMIR RICE!" "Absent once more today!" "ERIC GARNER!" "Absent again today!" "TARIKA WILSON!" "Absent-minded over again today!" And Spoony kept feeding Berry the papers, one after another, as she continued to read down the list of unarmed blackness people killed by the constabulary.

Endless thanks to Eilonwy for putting such an of import story on my radar.

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February 07, 2016 Megan rated information technology liked it

Phew. This is a difficult one to rate, every bit difficult to review. I wanted to give it one star and three stars and five stars simultaneously. I can't quite work out my ain response.

Part of the trouble is that All American Boys is preaching to the choir for me. This book did little to further my understanding of race relations or constabulary power in the United states of america. And then again, I've closely followed the stories of Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, etc. etc. etc. I'd exist curious to know the reaction o

Phew. This is a difficult one to charge per unit, as hard to review. I wanted to give it one star and iii stars and 5 stars simultaneously. I can't quite work out my ain response.

Office of the problem is that All American Boys is preaching to the choir for me. This volume did little to further my understanding of race relations or law power in the U.s.a.. Then again, I've closely followed the stories of Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, etc. etc. etc. I'd exist curious to know the reaction of people who back up #alllivesmatter, people who cheered when the jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson, people who experience ambivalent, or people who simply haven't been paying much attention. It seems like this book is really written for them. If it can change their minds or augment their perspectives, and then the volume is a monumental achievement.

That being said, I merely don't like "social problem novels" very much. When it comes to social problems, I'd much, much rather read non-fiction. And I suppose I am troubled to imagine that there are people more than compelled past a fictional account of racism and police force brutality than the copious existent-world examples. Of course, if the safe distance of fiction is necessary to open minds, then how can I criticize the use of fiction as a tool for good? Generally I worry that social problem novels aren't constructive... that they only foster a sense of smug satisfaction almost pre-existing convictions and alienate those who disagree.

The book does a fantastic job representing the voices and concerns of the teenaged protagonists - I could imagine many of my sometime students relating deeply to these characters and getting fired upward about the injustices depicted. The volume offers a "loftier interest depression-reading level" bridge to more challenging material - I would wager that in that location volition exist reluctant readers that selection up a copy of Invisible Man after reading All American Boys. Teachers will find aplenty opportunities to supplement this text with non-fiction manufactures, and I imagine students volition be more than eager to read those articles in the context of this book.

My one true criticism of the text (other than its genre, which may just be a personal mismatch) is that our starting time view of Paul takes place during his brutal chirapsia of Rashad. Information technology broke Quinn's eye to encounter his role-model acting so reprehensibly, and the story would have been more effective if it had broken our hearts every bit readers every bit well. Since we showtime see Paul as a villain, we can never really sympathise with Quinn'southward disillusionment.

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I am non the same person that I was when I started this book. Thanks Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, for reminding me why I read and the propensity with which books can change us, make united states of america alter our lenses we utilize to view the world and our privilege, and impact our souls.

four.v stars rounded upwards to 5. Such an important, beautifully written story.

October 26, 2015 Brigid ✩ rated it really liked information technology

I feel bad that I had to kinda rush through this (it was overdue at the library)––but I can tell you, this is a peachy and important book that deserves attention.

All-American Boys is the story of Rashad, a black teen who is assaulted by a white cop, and Quinn, a white classmate of his who witnesses the offense (and who as well happens to exist friends with the cop). Information technology's quite a painful story to read because it's all as well familiar. It's impossible to even count the number of truthful stories about people of

I experience bad that I had to kinda rush through this (it was overdue at the library)––simply I can tell you, this is a slap-up and important book that deserves attention.

All-American Boys is the story of Rashad, a black teen who is assaulted by a white cop, and Quinn, a white classmate of his who witnesses the crime (and who also happens to be friends with the cop). It'due south quite a painful story to read considering it'south all also familiar. It'due south incommunicable to even count the number of true stories about people of colour who have been beaten and killed by white police officers.

A collaboration between authors Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, this book gives the reader an eye-opening perspective about law brutality and racial injustice. It'southward interesting to see the incident portrayed through the bespeak of view of both a victim and a bystander, and information technology brings upwardly many pregnant questions: How do you cull sides––specially when someone you lot once respected is in the incorrect? If we want the violence to stop, how exercise we end it?

My just main effect with this volume is that it felt a fiddling too brusk to me, and I wish it had explored things a scrap more. Rashad spends most of the book in the hospital, and I kind of wanted to meet more nearly his life after recovery, what the trial was going to exist similar, how he was going to deal with being the symbol of a social justice movement, etc. There were besides a few loose ends I wish had been resolved a bit more.

But anyway, I actually hope this volume gains more attending. I could come across this book really changing the perspectives and lives of immature readers––probably those of adult readers every bit well. I will definitely read more from both authors.

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Απ τα καλύτερα βιβλία που διάβασα φέτος!!!

"In 2012, in the United Kingdom, the number of people (regardless of race) shot and killed past police force officers: ane In 2013, in the United Kingdom, the number of times police officers fired guns in the line of duty/the number of people fatally shot: iii/0 In the U.s.a., in the seven year menstruum ending in 2012, a white police officer killed a black person virtually 2 times a week. "I'thousand non much of a talker," she finished upward. "You know that. Only I know

Απ τα καλύτερα βιβλία που διάβασα φέτος!!!

"In 2012, in the United Kingdom, the number of people (regardless of race) shot and killed by police officers: 1 In 2013, in the United Kingdom, the number of times police officers fired guns in the line of duty/the number of people fatally shot: 3/0 In the United States, in the seven year period ending in 2012, a white police force officer killed a black person nearly two times a week. "I'm not much of a talker," she finished up. "You know that. Just I know numbers. The numbers don't lie, kids. The numbers always tell a story."

Because racism was alive and real as shit. It was everywhere and all mixed up in everything, and the only people who said information technology wasn't, and the just people who said, "Don't talk about it" were white. Well, stop lying. That's what I wanted to tell those people. Cease lying. Stop denying. That's why I was marching. Nothing was going to modify unless we did something near information technology. We! White people!"

"Nobody says the words anymore, simply somehow the violence yet remains. If I didn't want the violence to remain, I had to do a hell of a lot more than than merely say the correct things and non say the incorrect things."

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Jul 07, 2016 Eilonwy rated information technology information technology was astonishing

Rashad is a pretty typical 17-year-old kid, going to high school, partying with his friends, working on the sketches he hopes to make a living at one solar day, and participating in ROTC because his dad makes him. But Rashad is also blackness -- and when a woman trips over him in a convenience store, a white cop jumps to conclusions about what Rashad was doing and beats him upwards, brutally enough to pause ribs and put him in the hospital for a calendar week.

Quinn, a white kid at the same schoolhouse, misses what triggere

Rashad is a pretty typical 17-year-old kid, going to high school, partying with his friends, working on the sketches he hopes to brand a living at i twenty-four hours, and participating in ROTC because his dad makes him. Just Rashad is also black -- and when a woman trips over him in a convenience store, a white cop jumps to conclusions about what Rashad was doing and beats him up, brutally plenty to break ribs and put him in the hospital for a calendar week.

Quinn, a white kid at the same school, misses what triggered the beating, but sees the residue … including that the cop is a guy who is practically his own big brother. Merely Quinn plays basketball with some of Rashad'due south friends, who let him know the cop'south version of the story is wrong. Quinn is torn -- who should he support? And should he tell anyone what he saw?

I really liked this volume. It'due south narrated by both Rashad and Quinn, and since they're written by two different authors, their voices were singled-out -- I never in one case had to flip back to the beginning of a affiliate to figure out whose POV I was reading. Both boys are well-rounded and engaging characters, trying to detect their manner in the earth through their ain unique experiences. They both speak powerfully and authentically, and as a reader sharing their development through this particular event, I was completely engrossed, zooming through this book in two days. This is one of the few "issue-type" books I'd consider re-reading, because in that location was enough else going on in the story to make information technology just a plain good book, even without the timely and important message. Rashad's involvement in art and Quinn's dedication to basketball made groovy subthreads; both felt completely organic. Their families and friends are existent people as well, merely trying to brand their ain way in the world as all-time they can.

The volume also brings in other problems of law brutality, such every bit how the cop's official story is oftentimes unlike from what actually happened, and how nosotros only know this considering of the ubiquity of phone videos over the past few years.

"Rashad is absent again today," painted in front of the school as graffiti past one of his friends, became a rallying cry through the story, and then fabricated me cry when information technology was applied to real-life victims of police violence in the U.s.:
"Eric Garner -- absent-minded again today!"
"Tamir Rice -- absent again today!"
"Sandra Bland -- absent-minded over again today!"
And the list goes on and on.
Absent-minded again today and forever. And thinking most that is making me cry all again.

I read this book over the July 4th weekend. And then we had the last two weeks in this country, which made it really hard to write this review.

Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, absent again today. Five police officers in Dallas and three police officers in Baton Rouge, absent again today. When and where the hell is it going to end?

Read this book. It doesn't offer whatever answers to that question, but its insights are important and well worth a few hours.

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Review originally posted on YA Love

Typically for an sound review I intermission up my post into 2 parts: the audio review followed by the book review. Today I've decided to interruption away from that. Rashad's and Quinn's stories prompted a number of questions to form equally I listened to All American Boys, so I decided to list my questions instead of writing a formal review. I think the questions I kept asking myself speak volumes about the story and most our society. All of the questions I'm listing stalk fr

Review originally posted on YA Love

Typically for an sound review I pause up my post into two parts: the audio review followed past the book review. Today I've decided to break abroad from that. Rashad's and Quinn's stories prompted a number of questions to form equally I listened to All American Boys, so I decided to list my questions instead of writing a formal review. I recall the questions I kept asking myself speak volumes about the story and about our guild. All of the questions I'thou listing stem from moments in the novel.

1. Why does American mean white? Why is does information technology seem like that'southward the definition of our country?

ii. Who practise y'all call for help when yous witness a police officer doing wrong? Who else can assist? Volition other police officers come up to your help?

3. Why aren't the teachers discussing Rashad's chirapsia in their classrooms? Why do some teachers avert openly discussing tough topics?

4. Is it actually "all-time" to leave information technology (it=Rashad' beating / race issues / tough topics) at the gym door? Does this build a stronger team or weaken it? What does this actually communicate to the student athletes?

5. Who'south on your squad outside the gym door?

6. Why in this twenty-four hours and age are in that location even so "Invisible Men"?

vii. How do nosotros ascertain loyalty? Where practise our loyalties lie? When is it necessary to redefine our definitions?

All American Boys is a novel that our land needs right now, which is why I hope teachers and librarians and parents read and share this book with teens. Today'due south teenagers volition be tomorrow's leaders, so I hope Jason Reynold'due south and Brendan Kiely's novel lands in their hands.

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Mar 14, 2021 Cammie rated information technology information technology was astonishing

Why have I waited until I am this many years quondam to read Jason Reynolds? His writing is amazing! Reynolds is such an of import vocalization today along with Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Tiffany D. Jackson, and so many others.
All American Boys tells the ripped-from-headlines story of Rashad who is defendant of stealing a bag of chips then beaten past a white police officer. The story alternates with Quinn's story equally well. Quinn, a classmate of Rashad's, witnessed the beating and is good friends with the police Why accept I waited until I am this many years onetime to read Jason Reynolds? His writing is amazing! Reynolds is such an important voice today along with Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Tiffany D. Jackson, and so many others.
All American Boys tells the ripped-from-headlines story of Rashad who is defendant of stealing a pocketbook of fries then beaten by a white police officer. The story alternates with Quinn'south story every bit well. Quinn, a classmate of Rashad's, witnessed the beating and is good friends with the police officer's blood brother. The dual perspective keeps the story engaging and allows readers to see Quinn's struggles with the racism and prejudice in his life and how he deals with it.
Silence is the same as violence... ...more than

How important information technology is to show that monsters can act homo sometimes.

The rating for this YA book then far is very high I recall primarily because it is timely, ripped out of the daily news about racism and constabulary brutality: Rashad, a (black) teen in a convenience store to purchase a bag of fries, reaches into his haversack while in line just as a (white) woman accidentally bumps into him, and he falls to the floor. The owner, much besieged by niggling theft, sees Rashad with his hand in his handbag, yells to a (white) cop in the store that the kid is shoplifting. The cop beats t The rating for this YA book so far is very high I recall primarily because it is timely, ripped out of the daily news about racism and police force brutality: Rashad, a (blackness) teen in a convenience store to buy a bag of chips, reaches into his haversack while in line just as a (white) woman accidentally bumps into him, and he falls to the floor. The owner, much besieged by trivial theft, sees Rashad with his hand in his purse, yells to a (white) cop in the store that the kid is shoplifting. The cop beats the kid to a pulp, which would exist brutally harsh fifty-fifty if he WERE shoplifting.

Quinn, a (white) teen who sees this agrees the brutality is unwarranted. Only the tricky affair is that the cop doing the chirapsia is Paul, a father effigy to Quinn, whose biological Dad died in boxing. Paul lives right across the street, has helped me in many means, including developing equally a basketball player. And then the upshot here is courage, which Quinn'southward Dad had, in iii post-911 tours of Transitional islamic state of afghanistan; does Quinn accept the courage do the right matter? The answer is that it is a process. How do you plough in your "Dad" in this pretty manlike, basketball-playing, cop and soldier world of men,, and in 1 fraught with issues of race? The respond for most people is: Y'all don't. Loyalty means yous don't. And so the courage to do the right matter bumps upwardly against the code of silence.

I had just read YA texts by Alexie and Schmidt, also well-nigh difficult social bug, and they have greater complexity and overall writing quality than this volume, which I read very fast, hardly marking a phrase I loved. I gauge I would categorize it as a solid, admirable, "loftier interest, low level" book for middle and high school kids, and it's easy enough for even tweens to read (though the high school level swearing might put teachers/parents off). The characters seem existent, the friendships and tensions and the dialogue seems existent, and nosotros get to understand how whites and blacks might see situations differently (though in the finish, they see everything exactly alike, basically. This is a #BlackLIvesMatter book with pretty didactic anti-racist purposes). Overall my students are liking information technology. It'southward a fast and they seem to call up "important" volume for immature people to read, so that's important.

The writing strategy for the volume is interesting: Two authors, one white, one black, friends, each represent the same events in alternating chapter fashion for each of the 2 main characters. The book is thus great for connecting to current events (similar we are doing in my form, with Chicago Laquan McDonald/Jason cop-killer story, with its own cover-ups and lies and cops existence fired). Unfortunately there are many such stories for us to choose from for comparative purposes.

The incident , we discover, was video-taped, social media hashtags and slogans are developed for the purpose of spreading the news--#RashadIsNotInSchoolAgain—concluding smoothly with a march from the store to the constabulary station that also has a "die-in" where anybody lies down in the street. Things move with almost no real complications to its pretty uplifting conclusion, just without a real chat between Quinn and cop Paul. Quiinn (a little also) chop-chop goes from regular guy basketball game-obsessed guy to beauteous simply sorta unbelievably clear spokesman for anti-racist action. There are few complicating factors at all unless you lot count the fact that Quinn knows Paul, and too (for thematic and racial balance), we discover (spoiler alert, maybe) that Rashad'south Dad was ALSO a vet and Too someone who (he confesses to his son) was ALSO a cop who seriously damaged (shooting to paralyze) an innocent kid by mistake. Two races, two families, ii cops who have washed bad things, but neither of these things are adequately discussed with the perpetrators.

Rashad is a skillful kid, ROTC, never in trouble because of his cop/soldier tough Dad, and he's an artist who grew up liking the daily strip The Family Circle, a "white people's" comic he never felt possible for him. At that place'south a promising mention of the really, really racially complex and about surreal "Battle Purple" episode from Invisible Man that Quinn is reading in English class, merely not enough develops from it. All the same, I liked the volume and will recommend it widely to young people and teachers of young people. It'due south a conversation starter with obvious links betwixt the literature and life in the U.Due south. (and interestingly, not in many other places). It's non a great or circuitous book but it is like shooting fish in a barrel to read and topical.

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If I had a million dollars I would purchase cases of this book. Anytime that someone begins a discussion on the Black Lives Thing motion, police brutality in the U.s.a., or the current American experience of race I'd hand them a re-create. This is the well-nigh timely and deftly handled book (directed at teens), on the issues of the black and white American racial separate. The frightening thing is that information technology is ready in current fourth dimension.

"People had told me that racism was a matter of the past, they'd told me no

If I had a million dollars I would buy cases of this book. Anytime that someone begins a discussion on the Black Lives Thing motion, police brutality in the United States, or the electric current American experience of race I'd hand them a copy. This is the most timely and deftly handled book (directed at teens), on the issues of the blackness and white American racial divide. The frightening thing is that it is set up in electric current time.

"People had told me that racism was a thing of the past, they'd told me non to become involved. Merely that was nuts...Because racism was alive and real as shit. It was everywhere and all mixed upward in everything..."

Part of the forcefulness in the narrative of All American Boys comes from it'southward dual narrative. Rashad is a high school aged black boy. He'south clean cut, in ROTC. He stops at a convenience shop to buy a snack. he reaches in his handbag to get his coin, a police officer wrongly assumes that he is digging in his bag for a weapon and he is brutally beaten and arrested by the cop.

Quinn is a white male child on the basketball squad. His father died as a soldier in the war in Afghanistan and is considered a hero. Quinn's best friend is Guzzo, and his brother Paul is the constabulary officer that attacked Rashad. Quinn witnesses the entire set on. He doesn't know what happened in the store only feels similar at that place is nothing that Rashad could take done that would make him deserve being brutally browbeaten.

Reynolds & Keily

Rashad'southward sections are written by Jason Reynolds. Jason chooses direct and simple words but uses unpredictable cadences and inflections that give a kind of musicality to his writing. In a section when Rashad's brother, Spoony, learns of his attack he uses the phrase "calm down" six times in two paragraphs. When read aloud information technology sounds similar beat poetry. The layers of Rashad'south graphic symbol are endearing. Reynolds includes unexpected yet yield producing quirks, similar his love of the very white comic, Family unit Circus.

Quinn's sections are written by Brendan Kiely. Kiely's character reads both sympathetic and cocky important. He is an ultimately "good" person who has to sort through piles of disruptive relationships and familial biases to make up one's mind what is correct. His family is strongly influenced by their human relationship with Paul Guzzo, and they blindly stand behind him believing that he did his best. They choose to trust his judgement but Quinn is conflicted considering he knows what he has seen. Besides the actual scene of violence, Quinn'south sections are the nearly difficult to read equally his hurting and frustration are palatable and deep. As readers nosotros cheer for him to choose to fight for others while seeing that information technology may cost him a role in his only social outlet, basketball.

The author duo mange to gesture to:

Law brutality
Hands up, Don't shoot
Racial profiling ("Were your pants sagging?)
Media representation of racially charged news
The intensity and difficulty of law work (Rashad's dad was a cop/fabricated mistakes)
Community activism
The presence of aggressive equipment at peaceful marches (paramilitary gear and vehicles)
This book begs, and deserves to read, shared, discussed and questioned. I hope that this championship will be completely irrelevant in a few years. I'd love for kids to look at it and wonder if it was an exaggerated, apocalyptic fiction. If we e'er honestly start a dialog in this country as intelligent and open up every bit this book, perchance then All American Boys volition cease to be one of the most important books published for teens.

My rating: five of five stars
Written past: Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Publication appointment: September 29, 2015
ISBN: 9781481463331
Page Count: 308
Publisher: Atheneum- S&S Children's Publishing

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Dec xi, 2021 Cherisa B rated it actually liked it

If y'all are neutral in situations of injustice, yous take chosen the side of the oppressor. ~Desmond Tutu

Rashad and Quinn are the black and white all American boys centering this story of color coded policing and white privilege. The co-authors work through the issues we read nigh every week when stories about "living while black" reach the media. Taking united states slowly through the boys' perspectives, their lives and interests earlier "the incident", and their awakenings afterward to empathize what ha

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. ~Desmond Tutu

Rashad and Quinn are the blackness and white all American boys centering this story of color coded policing and white privilege. The co-authors work through the issues nosotros read well-nigh every week when stories about "living while black" reach the media. Taking u.s. slowly through the boys' perspectives, their lives and interests before "the incident", and their awakenings afterwards to understand what happened and what information technology means for each of them, the story lets us work through what we every bit individual members of gild need to think about the bug raised.

Actually well done.

...more

Click here to picket a video review of this book on my aqueduct, From Beginning to Bookend.

A powerful social commentary, relevant and deeply moving. This volume has the power to open eyes, to invoke empathy, to initiate essential conversations, to assist with understanding, to encourage change. Rich with authenticity and narrative vocalism, All American Boys is a must read.

Click here to watch a video review of this book on my aqueduct, From Kickoff to Bookend.

A powerful social commentary, relevant and securely moving. This book has the power to open up eyes, to invoke empathy, to initiate essential conversations, to assist with understanding, to encourage alter. Rich with authenticity and narrative vox, All American Boys is a must read.

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Feb 05, 2016 India Brown rated it it was amazing

EXCELLENT. This book talks near the bug that plague black boys in this society then eloquently, and looks at it from every attribute. Quinn's struggle was as as important, as he decides whether or not to make a stand or ignore everything. I dearest the reliability of Rashad and his friends, it's something I haven't seen in a volume in a very long time. EXCELLENT. This book talks well-nigh the problems that plague black boys in this club so eloquently, and looks at information technology from every attribute. Quinn's struggle was equally equally important, every bit he decides whether or not to brand a stand or ignore everything. I dear the reliability of Rashad and his friends, it'southward something I haven't seen in a volume in a very long time. ...more

An important book, but unfortunately non a very well written one. The "message" overshadows admittedly everything in this novel. There is no room for the reader to come to any ain conclusions. Still, a fair primer for kids unfamiliar with the "black lives matter" move. An important book, but unfortunately not a very well written one. The "bulletin" overshadows absolutely everything in this novel. At that place is no room for the reader to come to any own conclusions. Still, a fair primer for kids unfamiliar with the "blackness lives affair" motion. ...more

Jun 18, 2015 Jillian Heise rated it information technology was astonishing

I'yard not sure my words volition be able to adequately express the importance of this book and the urgency I experience to get information technology into easily of my urban teens. This is a book to start conversations, in our classrooms and with each other. It's a book to make you take a step back and expect at bias in your own life. The power in this book lies in the stripped down simplicity-two boys, ii views, one incident, which, through the honesty and realness of the characters who are dealing with complex issues of race, I'm not sure my words will be able to adequately express the importance of this book and the urgency I feel to get information technology into hands of my urban teens. This is a book to start conversations, in our classrooms and with each other. Information technology's a book to make you have a pace dorsum and expect at bias in your own life. The power in this book lies in the stripped down simplicity-two boys, two views, ane incident, which, through the honesty and realness of the characters who are dealing with complex bug of race, community, perceptions, stereotypes, and assumptions, is able to address a timely issue in a way teens will exist able to relate to without feeling lectured at. Reynolds and Kiely have written a story that stays true to the teen phonation and the inner struggle of trying to sympathize things that don't make sense, and wanting to change but not knowing how, wanting to fight for what's correct in the face of outside pressures, and how that all impacts relationships with family and friends. Information technology's a gut-wrenching book because of how easy it was for me to picture my ain students faces and voices in identify of Rashad's & Quinn'south, and in how it fabricated me recall nearly privilege while keeping the focus on these characters and the many real people who have been affected by racial incidents of police brutality. I especially appreciated that the two characters were the forefront, but had friends, teachers, and family who all affected their actions and decisions in a truthful to life mode. It's honest, existent, powerful, and oh and so important. It's a book people demand to read. ...more

All American Boys follows a blackness teen named Rashad who is victim to constabulary brutality; put in the hospital by an officer after doing absolutely nothing wrong.

This book left me with chills, goosebumps littering my arms.

"IF Y'all ARE NEUTRAL IN SITUATIONS OF INJUSTICE, Yous HAVE Chosen THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSOR."

One thing I really appreciate is that Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely recognize and address the fact that at that place are constabulary officers doing plenty of good in their communities. That non a

All American Boys follows a blackness teen named Rashad who is victim to law brutality; put in the infirmary by an officer after doing absolutely nothing wrong.

This book left me with chills, goosebumps littering my arms.

"IF YOU ARE NEUTRAL IN SITUATIONS OF INJUSTICE, Yous Accept CHOSEN THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSOR."

I thing I really capeesh is that Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely recognize and address the fact that there are police officers doing plenty of skillful in their communities. That non all police officers should be viewed as the villains, which was my main issue with The Detest U Requite.

Information technology's then important that people read books like this one; crucial that nosotros do everything in our power to finish racism. Rashad was definitely a strong chief graphic symbol, I could actually feel for him and his family through their frustration.

"Had our hearts really get so numb that we needed dead bodies in social club to feel the beat of compassion in our chests? Who am I if I demand to be shocked back into my all-time cocky?"

Most of all though, I commend Jason Reynolds for everything he was able to convey through Rashad's character. Information technology felt like a little piece of him was put into the narration, and the fact that an writer is able to speak through his characters to the reader is what I dearest to see in books.

All American Boys was so so important, and I'm happy to have read it.

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All American Boys zooms in on a fierce act that inflames racial tension, similar to books similar The Detest U Give and all also familiar in American media civilisation. Similar to The Hate U Give, All American Boys is written for a YA audience and deals directly with the event and backwash of a violent human activity by a law officer on an unarmed black male person teenager. What sets this work apart from others is the alternating viewpoint between two protagonists, Rashad and Quinn, and how authors Jason Reynolds and All American Boys zooms in on a violent act that inflames racial tension, like to books similar The Hate U Give and all too familiar in American media civilization. Like to The Detest U Give, All American Boys is written for a YA audience and deals direct with the event and aftermath of a violent act by a police force officer on an unarmed blackness male teenager. What sets this work autonomously from others is the alternating viewpoint betwixt 2 protagonists, Rashad and Quinn, and how authors Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely bring them to life. Rashad is mistaken for a shoplifter by Officer Paul Galluzzo; the subsequent belligerent arrest is witnessed past Quinn, who considers the Galluzzo family unit as his own later on his begetter died in Afghanistan.

The alternating perspectives allow the reader to consider the issue from multiple viewpoints. In summary, this can certainly exist classified as a Teen Upshot Volume and was a satisfying read. Recommended to fans of YA lit.

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Jan 14, 2016 Merlin Hanson rated it did not similar information technology

Information technology surprises me how many educators have jumped on the bandwagon of this book, and have not reviewed the actual statistics of police brutality vs criminal offence rates in diverse communities, homicide rates etc.. If you do the inquiry (using government and university studies) vs believing the news (call up, they need to sell advertizement) you may run across this book to be part of the problem rather than an inspiration for a solution. Information technology seems this book was more published at a convenient time to ignite more than divi It surprises me how many educators have jumped on the bandwagon of this volume, and take not reviewed the actual statistics of police force brutality vs criminal offense rates in various communities, homicide rates etc.. If you do the research (using regime and university studies) vs believing the news (remember, they need to sell advertising) you may see this book to exist part of the trouble rather than an inspiration for a solution. It seems this book was more published at a convenient time to ignite more division and dubiousness than movement towards unity. Skillful luck folks. ...more than

This was such a powerful book and I absolutely loved every second of information technology. I didn't realize that this volume was about the topic that information technology covered and I'thou so glad that I went into it bullheaded. It was done beautifully and think that this book definitely doesn't get every bit much hype as it deserves. I really hope that more people go the opportunity to read it. I definitely volition be doing a fully review on it. This was such a powerful book and I admittedly loved every second of it. I didn't realize that this book was about the topic that it covered and I'm so glad that I went into it blind. It was done beautifully and think that this book definitely doesn't get as much hype equally it deserves. I really hope that more people get the opportunity to read it. I definitely volition exist doing a fully review on it. ...more

January 16, 2018 Chelsea rated it it was ok

TW: racism, police brutality, set on

Some other book that has a strong central message, but is bogged downward by the writing and story structure. ii 1/two stars

This novel takes place in two perspectives. The first is Rashad, an African American teen, who is assaulted past a constabulary officeholder later on being accused of stealing something when he didn't exercise anything incorrect in actuality. The other perspective is Quinn, a white teen who witnessed the set on and must determine whether to speak up.

The best part of this boo

TW: racism, police brutality, assail

Another book that has a strong central message, but is bogged down by the writing and story construction. ii 1/2 stars

This novel takes place in 2 perspectives. The first is Rashad, an African American teen, who is assaulted past a law officer after beingness defendant of stealing something when he didn't do anything wrong in actuality. The other perspective is Quinn, a white teen who witnessed the assail and must decide whether to speak up.

The best part of this book, without a doubt, is its examination of racism, culminating in a fashion that made the story feel rewarding by the end. Many teens could do good from reading this story.

The characters are alright and there's interesting family unit dynamics at play in both of their stories. The plot moves forth quickly enough to keep the story engaging.

The writing though… Information technology's the kind that I have no idea how it fabricated it past an editor. Some parts are intentional, like the authors trying to talk like teens, but other parts but experience similar bad writing, mayhap amplified by the stream of consciousness narrative in parts.

There'south a lot that felt immature to me: 'yo mama/yo girlfriend' jokes, annoying slang, text speak (and in all caps - no 1 texts using all capital letters???). Information technology felt like a book trying to entreatment to teenage boys simply but ended up coming off as annoying.

While there are strengths to this story, I don't think this would be a superlative recommendation from me equally far as heavy YA contemporaries. I would meliorate that statement if you're looking for books on constabulary brutality: they're few and far betwixt, making this a worthwhile read even simply for this, though this volume is certainly non without flaws.

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November 26, 2015 Catie rated it actually liked information technology

iv ane/2 stars

"Await, if at that place are people who are scared of the police every twenty-four hours of their lives," Jill said, determined, "I'm going to live in fright of them for at to the lowest degree one day to say that I don't think that's right."

This book needs to be in libraries and schools everywhere. It'southward absolutely an "consequence" book, but the authors do a keen job of crafting each grapheme (fifty-fifty the villain) in a fashion that is nuanced, flawed, and man. I call up that young people volition connect with these boys and volition be inspir

4 1/2 stars

"Look, if at that place are people who are scared of the constabulary every twenty-four hours of their lives," Jill said, adamant, "I'thousand going to live in fear of them for at to the lowest degree one twenty-four hours to say that I don't think that's right."

This book needs to be in libraries and schools everywhere. Information technology's absolutely an "effect" book, just the authors practice a neat job of crafting each character (even the villain) in a way that is nuanced, flawed, and human. I recollect that young people will connect with these boys and will exist inspired by the empowering ending. I wish that every incident of unnecessary violence confronting a person of color would be as hotly protested every bit the one in this book, just that'southward not always reality. That's why we all need this volume. The story that this volume brings to our young people has the power to help change our reality.

If this book didn't accept so many f-bombs, I would teach information technology in a hot minute!

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Trigger warnings: racism, racial stereotyping, police brutality, mentions of police shooting, mentions of racial slurs.

OW MY FEELINGS.

So I've been meaning to read this volume for at to the lowest degree the past year, and however somehow I never quite got effectually to it. Better late than never??

Anyway. I was a little hesitant going into this, because I wasn't sure if I was in the mood for a book dealing with this subject matter. And yet I ended up completely hooked from folio 1. I found the juxtaposition of Rashad an

Trigger warnings: racism, racial stereotyping, constabulary brutality, mentions of constabulary shooting, mentions of racial slurs.

OW MY FEELINGS.

And then I've been significant to read this book for at least the past year, and yet somehow I never quite got around to it. Better belatedly than never??

Anyhow. I was a fiddling hesitant going into this, because I wasn't sure if I was in the mood for a book dealing with this subject matter. And yet I ended up completely hooked from page 1. I constitute the juxtaposition of Rashad and Quinn's narratives to be incredibly powerful. Getting to encounter what was happening at school in Rashad'southward absenteeism was incredibly powerful, while seeing Rashad in the hospital processing what's happened to him was heartbreaking.

I read this in physical form, but I kind of wish I'd been reading information technology on my Kindle, just then I could have highlighted all the passages that stabbed me in the feelings. It's an amazing book that fabricated me weep and feel things and cry some more. But in a good fashion?

Favourite quote #1: "And if I don't do something...if I just stay silent, it'south simply like proverb it's non my problem."

Favourite quote #2: "Nobody says the words anymore, just somehow the violence still remains. If I didn't want the violence to remain, I had to practise a hell of a lot more than simply say the right things and not say the wrong things."

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February 17, 2018 Harmony W rated it it was amazing

Through this book, Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely explores racism, police brutality, and what it means to be an "American Boy". This story is told through different lenses and explores different perspectives. Rashad, a black student, was beaten upwardly by a white police officer and Quinn, a fellow classmate, witnessed it. The authors explained the importance of perspective and how nothing is right or wrong. Merely more than importantly, they as well dug into what an "American boy" is. (view spoiler)[
Through Through this volume, Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely explores racism, police force brutality, and what it means to be an "American Male child". This story is told through dissimilar lenses and explores different perspectives. Rashad, a blackness student, was browbeaten upwardly past a white police officer and Quinn, a fellow classmate, witnessed it. The authors explained the importance of perspective and how nothing is right or wrong. But more importantly, they also dug into what an "American male child" is. (view spoiler)[
Through Quinn and external conflicts, the authors explained what makes one so honorable isn't doing something that OTHERS view as correct, but is having the bravery to stand upwardly for what YOU believe in and being committed to have actions. Another message that came across stated how everyone's presence is changing history and making a difference. Information technology actually stood out towards the end not only through the march but also when Rashad finally added faces to his Aaron Douglas styled drawings- telling the world that the grapheme deserves to exist noticed and isn't "invisible". Because they are there. They matter. And they are to exist heard. (hide spoiler)]
EVERYONE would enjoy this book so get read it. NOW. ...more than

4.5 stars. An excellent book on an of import topic, simply it did occasionally feel similar a Book On An Important Topic. More to come.

After earning a BA in English from The University of Maryland, College Park, Jason Reynolds moved to Brooklyn, New York, where you lot can frequently find him walking the four blocks from the train to his flat talking to himself. Well, non actually talking to himself, simply just repeating grapheme names and plot lines he thought of on the train, over and over over again, because he's afraid he'll forget it al After earning a BA in English from The University of Maryland, College Park, Jason Reynolds moved to Brooklyn, New York, where you can frequently detect him walking the four blocks from the train to his apartment talking to himself. Well, not actually talking to himself, just but repeating character names and plot lines he thought of on the train, over and over once again, considering he's afraid he'll forget information technology all earlier he gets dwelling house. ...more

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"IF You lot ARE NEUTRAL IN SITUATIONS OF INJUSTICE, You lot HAVE CHOSEN THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSOR." — 169 likes

"Had our hearts really become so numb that nosotros needed expressionless bodies in club to feel the beat of compassion in our chests? Who am I if I need to exist shocked back into my best cocky?" — 106 likes

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Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25657130-all-american-boys

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