Ashley lives in an affluent area of the city and her parents have tried to protect her and her sister from the realities of being black in a white world. That bubble is about to burst when Ashley finally sees the unfolding horror of real life that was always staring her in the face.

The merciless beating of Rodney King shone a light on the city of Angels where the racists used their halos to strangle a section of their community with prejudice, violence and injustice. People thought the riots in 1992 would be the spark for real change. Black Americans are still waiting for that change all these years later. This may be a fictional story but it’s laced with so many truths via every cruel comment and every brutal injustice, that it makes your heart ache at the senseless oppression in the world.

Powerful voices are needed in literature especially for young adults and this is a perfect example of when an author gets it right. I truly hope this book is the success that it deserves to be.

Ashley has been given every advantage a teenage girl could want, but it's still not enough.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story follows Ashley. She's not a hero. She's not vocal and passionate about black rights, like her sister; she doesn't have to fight for a scholarship like LaShawn. She's never had to sacrifice anything in her life.
She's just a regular girl, who has normal concerns, and confesses that she can be selfish, but means well.

At 17, Ashley is a teenage girl - which is dangerous enough in itself. She is also one of the few black girls at a rich white school in LA. It's the early nineties, and the whole country is on edge after the beating of Rodney King was caught on camera. When the police responsible are acquitted, the black community and their allies protest against the injustice.
Ashley starts to reflect on what it means to be black in the US.
From the systematic racism all round her, that her parents have to warn her about. That being black, she always has to be perfect, so white people won't give her a hard time. Her white friends are casually racist, but Ashley knows they don't mean it, so she lets their ignorant comments slide.

The story is compellingly simple. The city might be burning in the background, but it doesn't affect Ashley's daily life. She still has the prom to look forward to, and deal with the connection she has with Michael - her best friend's boyfriend. She has to deal with the fact that her favourite college hasn't given her a definite answer, whilst they snapped up fellow-black student LaShawn.

With the way the world is now, it feels very familiar. Big, horrible stuff is happening, but they don't occupy every second. There's lots of little life things that we all experience.

As well as Ashley's experience of racism, there are lots of little stories and histories tagged on. Involving her parents, her sister, her nanny Lucia, her uncle, and other bits of news that Ashley remembers.
I'm not normally a fan of when stories diverge into other stories as it can sometimes feel like unnecessary filler; but this was really well-written and helped build the overall picture.

I really liked the ending. I thought it all reached a satisfying conclusion, without actually concluding anything! I liked that it doesn't rely on any one thing for Ashley to appreciate that she's happy. These teenagers have their whole lives ahead of them.

Overall, this was a great read. There are so many parts of Ashley's life that's recognisable, and so much that is eye-opening.

THE BLACK KIDS is a compelling look back at a black teen’s life in the Rodney King riots era. This couldn’t resonate more with recent events if it tried, but this was more so focused on Ashley’s realisation about her personal identity. I loved the era and the music but it was hard to like Ashley’s crew of friends.

Ashley was living a less usual life for a black teen, living in a white neighbourhood, going to a mainly white school and choosing to have only white friends. Both at school and at home, she lived a life of privledge and had lost some of her black identity along the way, as her parents aimed to keep her safe, well educated and give her a ‘better’ life.

"My parents and grandparents have made it so that Jo and I know nothing. We know nothing of crack or gangs or poverty….We are, according to my father, spoiled rotten little brats."

This story was the unfurling of contemporary events at the time, prompting Ashley to pause, think about who she was, who her friends were and what direction she wanted to go. She had a pretty eclectic family mix and I really liked her sister and that side story. The school friends however, were all superficial friendship with a bit of vile mean girl under the surface. I welcomed seeing Ashley spread her friendship wings.

“Since when do you listen to so much black shit?”
“I’m black,” I say.
“Yeah, but you’re not, like, blackity black,” she says.

This was a full and deep story despite it coming from a seemingly flighty teen. There was great character development and weaving in of the riots of that time. I was absorbed throughout and I really enjoyed the writing. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK for the early review copy.

Let me start this review with a say that I don't feel capable to give The Black Kids proper, critical review as I am a white girl living in a country with mostly white people, and the only Black man I ever knew was my pediatric.
So this review is 100% subjective, and every feedback, criticism or say is very welcomed.

I wish the circumstances were different and that things that happened in the book weren't so similar to what is happening in the America, and the world, right now.

The Black Kids is coming of age story about a wealthy black girl who goes to school with mostly white kids.

We follow the story through Ashley's POV, and the book is focused on her life and her experience, but riots that happened in 1992 in L.A. are always in the background.

In my country we do mention Rodney King Riots from time to time, but not enough.

I know it is not on black people to educate others, but I do feel like I have to mention that The Black Kids opened my eyes and helped me understand them more.

It is said in the blurb that this novel is perfect for fans of The Hate U Give, and I can see why, but I also want to stress out that it is completely different story and it deserves praise without comparison to another popular piece.

The story is well written, if I didn't see it in ya section, I'd think it was adult contemporary (or historical).

Ashley was great narrator, even though I didn't like some of her actions and I especially disliked how bad of a friend she was.
I think all that makes her more realistic, and I appreciate her so much as a character.

In the end, I just want to say that I am really happy that I read The Black Kids and am looking forward to read more books written by black authors.

A wonderful debut novel by Christina Hammonds Reed. I went into this book not really knowing the full extent of the story. I had a basic idea but decided not to look further into it and just go along for the ride. The book deals with tough subjects like racism, class discrimination, bullying and police violence and the author's opinion on these matters can be strongly felt throughout the narrative line. But most of all this is a story of self-discovery and I loved how Ashley developed throughout her journey. Also, the rest of the characters are diverse and well crafted. The writing style is easy to follow, concise and compassionate. The action is set in the '90s and it was easy for me to understand the references made throughout the plotline. Plus this book can definitely be read like a history lesson. Overall, this was a great read and I'll definitely keep an eye out for more book by the author.

This is the first novel by the author and I loved her style of writing, it draws you in right from the start. It centres around the life of Ashley Bennett who attends a privileged high school in LA and how her life changes in 1992 after the four white police officers were acquitted of the beating of a young black man named Rodney King.

I liked how Ashley’s perception changed with the progression of the story as she realises that not every black person’s life is like hers and when the riots start she feels like an outsider on both sides.

I especially loved the ending …

The story doesn’t pull any punches and says it how it is, it’s an interesting and thought provoking book.

Although it’s marketed as YA I think it’s a book everybody should read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher Simon and Schuster UK via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

The Black Kids is a coming-of-age novel set in Los Angeles in 1992 that follows Ashley Bennett throughout her last moments in high school and the Rodney King Riots.
I appreciated a lot that this novel covered a lot of important topics such as police brutality, social injustice, racism, the differences between social classes. One thing about The Black Kids that I totally loved was having a wealthy black teenage girl as the main character who offered us her own point of view which is different from some others we came to read in other books. I enjoyed watching her becoming more and more aware of who she is and starting to love, respect and embrace her cultural identity too.

Nevertheless, there are some aspects that didn’t meet my taste. Ashley provided us with a fresh point of view and that is something I appreciated, but still, I couldn’t really click with her. Her sister, Jo, is the character I liked the most. She’s a really complex one and so fierce, strong and independent that I couldn’t help but admire her completely.
Another thing I didn’t enjoy a lot was how the situation between Ashley and other two characters was managed. That felt flat to me and not developed well.
Overall, The Black Kids is a very enjoyable and informative coming-of-age read that I truly recommend.

I read this book in the aftermath of the protests around George Floyd's murder in America and it is unbelievable this this story is set almost 30 years earlier following a similar situation. Police officers in America being acquitted (despite being caught on camera) beating Rodney King.

The Black Kids follows our main character Ashley, who is black but attends a predominantly white private school owing to her well off background and her parents wanting 'the best' for her. Living in a middle class area and attending the school she does Ashley lives a very privileged life and so is unaware of a lot of what is happening around her. As you read the book we see that despite apparently being unaware Ashley does become more aware of the acts of racism that she and her family have experienced, in public and from her friends. As the book progresses Ashley becomes more aware of these 'innocent' comments and consequently the world around her. 

The book is set during a key time in Ashleys life, the end of her high school career and a her nanny, the woman who basically raised her, leaving her. These events stir up emotions and, coupled with the riots happening following the acquittal of the police officers, make Ashley rethink a lot of her life. Including her friends and the difference between right and wrong. 

Ashley is a very well rounded character and following her life really made you think, I feel a lot of teenagers at a similar age could really benefit from reading her story. I also found the other characters, particularly her white friends to be very accurate. I am pretty sure they could have easily been some of the people I went to school with.

I would really recommend this to all, even if it is just to make you think about why these events are still happening. Fans of The Hate U Give would particularly enjoy this book as it has a lot of similar themes and could almost have been written covering the same time with two different views on the events.

CW: Racism, violence, use of the n-word as a slur.

In 1992, a black man called Rodney King was the victim of police brutality. The officers were acquitted of all charges, which led to massive protests and riots in LA. The Black Kids follows Ashley Bennett, one of the few black students in her privileged high school and the only black girl in her group of rich friends. Ashley has always been aware of the ways she has been treated differently because of her skin colour and the second chances she wouldn't have, if she was ever caught doing something illegal. While watching the riots get closer to her own home, and begin affecting her own family, Ashley begins to really think about her place in the world as a black woman and what it really means to be on of "the black kids."

I absolutely loved this book and there were so many moments that felt so important, and it honestly felt like a privilege to read Ashley's journey as she really grew up and became someone more than she had always been. Someone not only proud of her blackness but ready to take on those who would try and put her down because of it. I also loved her journey in learning about her real friend group, and how it was important to have people in her circle that looked like her, and understood her experiences, while still maintaining friendships with the girls she had known since she was a child.

"Sometimes there is an us, sometimes there is a them, and sometimes it's okay to be a we."

It is actually almost infuriating, no, it is infuriating that reading this book didn't feel like something happening in the 90s. Because it's so, so similar to what's been happening this year, and last year and the year before that because of the continued use of police brutality against the black community and systemic racism in the US as well as many other countries. Apart from the lack of mobile phones and other technology, this book could easily be set right now.

Ashley isn't always the nicest person in this book but she definitely grows and becomes a better person, and learns a lot more understanding and acceptance for people in her life she had difficulty with before like her sister Jo and her mother. We also see her gain a whole new level of maturity when dealing with her nanny Lucia's departure home.

"Sometimes it's hard being a girl, and it's hard being black. Being both is like carrying a double load, but you're not suppose to complain about it. There are so many things you have to remember about how to be."

I really liked the family moments in this book. There are a lot of ups and downs and some really terrible moments and moments full of nastiness and tension but there's also a whole load of love. I feel like as a reader I really understood where Ashley's parents had come from and how hard they worked to be where they were in the novel. And I love that we got some family history too in the form of Grandma Shirley's story, as well as some snippets about Grandma Opal.

Families are every changing and in constant flux because of how people change and grow. And not everyone does that together or at the same pace so there will be friction as people struggle to adjust and understand and accept. I really felt this with Ashley's family.

"I can't tell if loneliness is being black, or being young, or being a girl."

Warning that Ashley's friend group in this book is the literal worst and I'm not sure by the end they got any better, the ones still around anyways. One of her friends does use the N-word at one point and I felt really shocked and repulsed like the reader was suppose to be. I think the plot dropped here a bit slightly and this got lost with Jo's storyline replacing it in importance. We never really got to see any other conversations or 'showdowns' between Ashley and Michael or Kimberly. There's literally never another scene with Michael after prom which is strange.

The book jumps into some memories now and again, and I think hey were a little bit clunky at times but I was so into the story I didn't find myself too confused and I was enjoying the ride.

An all-time favourite scene has to be prom when LaShawn braided Ashley's hair for her. It was so tender and gorgeous, and I could really picture it in my mind. This tall, strong man nimbly cradling Ashley and plaiting her hair? I mean SWOON!
-On that note, I loved LaShawn and I had a total crush on him. He was definitely a bit too good to be true sometimes but I loved this portrayal of this tall, strong basketball playing guy who was actually a big cinnamon roll who could quote Emily Dickinson, talk sci-fi with the nerdy, loner girl, and braid hair. I need him in real life please.

This is such a great book which really made me think about a lot of things - from history repeating itself constantly, and white folk seemingly never learning how to just be better and be allies and supportive. Looking through the eyes of a girl who is afraid of a cop, someone who is suppose to protect her, just because of the colour of her skin and also just a story about families breaking and coming apart, and then coming back together again. And the story of a young girl figuring out the woman she wants to be.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you, Simon and Schuster UK and Simon & Schuster Children's UK, for the chance to read this book.


TW: racism, racist slurs, murder (mentioned), suicide (mentioned), drugs and alcohol


Ashley Bennett lives a charmed life, in her big house, in her almost all white high school, with her wealthy family. Ashley, Heather, and her best friends, Courtney and Kimberly, are ready to finish high school, to spend their days at the beach, enjoying the summer. But everything changes when the officers accused of beating a black man, Rodney King, are acquitted and the whole city is engulfed in riots and fire.
Ashley tries to detach herself from the news, from the violence, even when her self-destrutive sister Jo, the black sheep of the family, starts to get involved in the riots, protesting for black rights.
Even when her uncle's and her late grandmother's shop is at risk because of the riots and even when her friends start and spread a rumour about one of their black classmate, putting his whole future at risk.
Ashley is forced to ask herself question, to understand the world around her and where she fits and who is she. And if she is ready to be true to herself and do the right thing.


The black kids is a intense, heartbreaking coming-of-age novel. Ashley has alway lived a charmed life, she's wealthy, she's a cheerleader, she's surrounded by white friends and she doesn't interact much (or at all) with the other black kids at her school, her whole life very different from theirs, being her more privileged and rich. The beating of Rodney King and the riots force her to open her eyes, trying to understand her place, her thoughts and what's right and wrong.
Through Ashley's eyes and through her parents' and relatives' stories, the reader learns about riots, violence, injustice, fear and the different behavior the police have towards black people.
In the book is very clear in two instances: where Ashley and her white friends are stopped because they were breaking and entering in a private property and, more clearly, when Ashley and LaShawn are threatened and held at gun point by a officer, because she didn't believe he was entering in his own house.

Ashley begins a journey to awareness of her own race and class and the events push her to recognize harmful behaviors and the racism in what her friends say to and around her and to embrace her identity and her being black, by befriending other black people, learning about her family and what they went through.

The black kids is a book where relationships are important and well written. The relationship between Ashley and her older sister Jo, whose sadness and rebellious nature made her the black sheep of the family, who ran to get married and left school, who is a communist and wants to fight for their rights.
The relationship between Ashley and her friends, her bond cemented by years together, but, with Kimberly, threatened to get ruined by lies, secrets and betrayals.
The relationship between Ashley and her parents and her nanny Lucia and the way she was sheltered and protected, even from the truths in her own family.

In this intense coming-of-age the author explores brillantly themes like race, class, violence, police brutality, the racial injustice in the police system and in the economic one. It's sad realizing how few things have changed since the 1992, but this book is also hopeful

"Because things have to get better, don't they? Or maybe they don't. But we do." (quote from the earc, so subject to change)

I recommend this book to those who wants to learn about racial and social injustice, being true to oneself and its importance.

Reading The Black Kids is akin to watching a fire burn, with its precisely placed kindling building up an explosive picture of racism, classism and family issues. It will smoulder on in your mind long after finishing this timely, impactful and brilliant book.

I must admit going into this book that I knew little about the Rodney King case or protests, but all that changed. I loved how the case started off in the background of Ashley’s story and it was an omnipresent force that ensured that you were aware of the wider picture throughout and drew parallels to the casual racism of Ashley’s so-called ‘friends’.Hammonds doesn’t hesitate to showcase various forms of racism from the overt to the more insidious subtle micoraggressions. It makes for an incredibly powerful read but also never strays too far from Ashley. This is fundamentally her story. I love a character-driven story and this one is very focused around Ashley, while also delving into family, friendship, racism and police brutality.

The writing style completely reflects this, with an almost stream of consciousness style to it that really allowed me to connect with Ashley. However, I am extremely aware that as a white reviewer, I will never truly understand Ashley and instead I will point you towards some Own Voices reviewers.

Hammonds is unflinching and honest in her discussion of class, privilege and race, particularly in the way that they intersect and serve to shield those in power. The tone of the book shifts as the riots become more prominent in Ashley’s life, revealing some heart-wrenching facts about her family that really hit home with me. I am a big contemporary lover and this is definitely one of the best I’ve ever read. The Black Kids is a fantastic book that I am still thinking about and I’m sure that it will be a stand-out book of the summer and far beyond.

This book was really gripping from start to finish. I enjoyed the way the story was told and the perspective of the narrative.

There are a lot of things that are addressed throughout the novel that have not been spoken about enough. It was refreshing to read something that is more reflective of the truth of today.

Not only was the story worth reading, the style of writing was fantastic and I'd definitely read other books by this author.

I tried but I just couldn't get into this. It's an interesting topic, it just didn't suit me. I hope it does really well.

"The Black Kids" follows Ashley during the time of the Rodney King Riots in L.A. in 1992. She lived a carefree life, enjoying the summer and sun, until four police men beat a black name almost to death. Even as the riots break out, Ashley tries to continue her normal routine and ignore that she might be seen as one of "the black kids".

The longer the riots take, the more her family is effected by them, and she has to confront the harsh truths of her family, as well as asking herself questions ...

In its essence this is a coming-of-age story that focuses on Ashley and her relationship with race, and being black. Sure, she is black but at the same time wealthy. So before the riots, she lives a sheltered and good life, having little to no contact to the black community or the other black kids in her school. All her friends are white, and she never had to worry about money. When asked what she thinks of the Rodney King case, she doesn't have an answer because she has not really paid attention.

However, Ashley has experienced and seen racism targeted towards her. As her mother had to search for a hair-stylist that does black hair, as well as disrespectful behaviour from her friends using slurs too liberal. Often she lets this behaviour slide and does not even explain the issue to her friends.

This places Ashley at a good place for the reading to start, as she has a basic understanding and experiences of racism in America. So as the story progresses the reader can grow alongside her, and as she starts to understand things, these also register with the reader.

This is also due to the haunting fact that despite taking place in the 90s, the book might was well take place this year. You just need to exchange a walk-man for an iPhone, and that is pretty much that.

The story does not only show one version of being black. Ashley and her family lead a wealthy life, and her parents always tried to shelter her from the harsh world. Meanwhile, her cousin and uncle have a different life, having taken over her grandmother's shop. Thus, their experiences during the riots are significantly different. As well as LaShawn's life, who got into school via a scholarship and lives in the poor parts of L.A. directly effected by the riots.

The riots are part of Ashley's coming-of-age story but she also grows by making mistakes in her private life. She finds new friends, and fucks up by trying to do the right thing. She also has to come to terms with her sister's problems. However, I was never able to get behind any of the love stories that played out. In the end, most of those aspects are influenced by the riots even if Ashley does not want that to be.

However, sometimes I had issues with the writing style. There are past/present switches which disrupt the whole story - but in the end they give a broader picture. It feels similar to a *record scratch, freeze frame* meme. In general, the writing is easy to follow the Ashley's thoughts are clear but these little moments really threw the pace of the novel.

"The Black Kids" is an important read, especially considering the George Floyd riots that are happening at the moment. As such it helps further understanding the situation and learning more about racism in America based on historical events but softening the blow with a fictional story build around it.

This highly impressive debut shows a masterful grasp of character and setting. The Black Kids is set in 1992 Los Angeles, and tells the story of Ashley , a black teenager from a wealthy family who is leading somewhat of a charmed life. Her biggest worries are what to wear to prom and which college she will attend next year. She has heard about what happened to Rodney King of course, it is all over the news, but it is not until the police officers on trial are acquitted and the city erupts into violence that she really becomes aware that she is not just one of the kids, she is one of the Black Kids, a definite minority group in her private school. As the violence and rioting spreads through the city it starts to hit closer to home, and Ashley has to reconsider who her real friends are and what her family and community mean to her. Is fitting in more important than doing the right thing?
The author takes the difficult questions of identity and sense of self and sets them against a turbulent social background, and manages to handle both things remarkably well. As a character Ashley goes through the usual teenage crises but with the additional pressure of being the only Black girl in her social group, a pressure to be perfect just to be seen as normal. She is forced to deal with constant microaggressions from her supposed friends, one of whom even describes her as "not blackitty Black". The way Ashley navigates through these relationships and develops a better understanding of how they will ebb and flow over time was one of my favourite things about the book, it is a valuable lesson worth paying attention to.
At home she feels like her parents are too busy and don't understand her. They are determined to protect her from the burdens of the past and the difficulties their parents and grandparents endured, even if that means losing the good along with the bad and distancing themselves from the rest of the family. History is important, knowing where we come from helps us to know who we are and this idea is nicely explored in the book.
There is a real sense of the time, the anger and uncertainty and some highly evocative descriptions of the city during the rioting, but this is always in the background, setting the scene for the more personal story of Ashley. As a character she grows so much over the course of the book, from a somewhat spoiled and bratty teen to a more self aware and socially conscious young woman who has learned what real friendship is. As she says "I'm beginning to think that's kind of what being an adult is- learning that sometimes people are a little bit wrong, but not for the reasons that you think they are, and also a little bit right and you have to take the good with the bad."
Overall I very much enjoyed and appreciated this powerful and timely book which feels particularly relevant in light of recent events in the U.S.A.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

The Black Kids is a timely and beautifully wrought coming-of-age tale exploring the prevalent and important issues of race, class, privilege, power and violence from the perspective of a teenager from an affluent African-American family and set against the backdrop of troubled '90s Los Angeles and one the most defining moments in Black American history. ”BEFORE: skipping school; tanning by the pool; picking out the perfect prom dress. AFTER: riots; fire; rumours. Sometimes learning who you ARE, means learning who you ARENT.” Told from the perspective of protagonist Ashley Bennett, we watch as with her once-perfect summer just beginning, in which she planned to hang out with friends from the white-dominated school she attends, the entire mood of LA residents and Americans, in general, changes dramatically. This sudden eruption of public fury was caused by the acquittal of the police officers who beat black man Rodney King to a pulp in March, 1991, despite there being video evidence of the incident taking place. It's really no surprise that riots, protests and a destructive mindset took over downtown LA as residents were disgusted by the glaring injustice.

This is an unflinching, compelling and memorable debut novel and one that does not shy away from addressing some really tough topics; I am delighted it was executed in such a readable fashion and there was not a single moment throughout where I was not fully engaged with the characters and their powerful stories. It highlights the increasing ubiquity of systemic racism, institutional racism is particularly relevant herem, the us versus them mentality, which often abounds, and a rise in the number of incidences of police brutality and uses the past to hold a mirror up to the present. It couldn't have been published at a more poignant or relevant time given the latest exploits of the police in the George Floyd case, although you could argue that it's, sadly, relevant at all times. As a child of the 90s, many of the references that hark back to the time made me feel nostalgic, warm and fuzzy. A highly topical, gripping and poetic story I am sure will awaken a lot of young minds to the profound inequality faced by people of colour all around the world. Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Children's UK for an ARC.

Thank you @simonteen for the ARC of this book!

The Black Kids follows Ashley Bennett, a wealthy black teenager living in LA in 1992. She's at the end of her senior year and busy hanging out with friends and worrying about college - that is, until 4 officers are acquitted of the beating of Rodney King. The LA Riots swiftly follow, and Ashley finds herself suddenly having to reconcile her life of privilege with being one of the Black kids, and what that means to her.

Everyone should read this book. It's such a stark reminder that in almost 30 years, nothing has changed in regards to the way Black people are treated by police, and how police are protected by their own.

Ashley is a great character for her flaws. She's spoiled and a bit selfish, so to see her journey from 17 year old hanging with the girls to 17 year old aware of the social injustices against Black people outside of her rose colored glasses is an important one. We see her remember times when well meaning and maybe not so well meaning people showed their racism and she brushed it off as 'fine' - until it wasn't.

The supporting characters are all interesting, which makes the book so well rounded. Ashley's activist sister, her parents who try to protect her from the world, her friends who are all rich and white and suddenly feel so far from Ashley when she starts to really see what it means to be Black in America. LaShawn, a Black basketball player attending school with Ashley on a scholarship, may just be my favorite character, and he's the one we probably see the least.

There is so much political about this book, but more importantly there's so much personal in it. This is definitely a must read!

An amazing read that looks at the everyday racism faced by the black community, set around the Rodney King riots in 1992 it also deals with issues such as growing up, privilege, womanhood in addition to race. A compelling and powerful book and as a white person (continuing my education) I would encourage all to read this. It is beautifully written, with a strong black woman in the central role, I loved the use of lyrics too it really added to the feel of the story. This is a fantastic debut from a new voice to watch out for and hopefully we will hear from for years to come. A must read for 2020.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

If you don’t know the name Christina Hammonds Reed, you will soon. Reed has just released her debut novel "The Black Kids," establishing herself as an author you won’t want to miss. "The Black Kids" is set in Los Angeles in 1992 and follows Ashley Bennett and her friends as they anticipate the end of high school and the start of summer and college. But the bliss of the upcoming summer is soon shattered after four LAPD police officers are acquitted that April after nearly beating Rodney King to death. As riots and protests surrounding the verdict overtake LA, Ashley tries to continue living her life. However, she soon realizes it won’t be the same again.

One of the first aspects that struck me about this book is the vivid imagery Reed includes that enhances the overall tone of the book. The summertime vibe and general feeling of Los Angeles is so visceral the city practically leaps off the page, creating a poetic ode to LA. Reed expertly sets the scene and will keep you in the story. She also mentions events specific to the time period (e.g. the Challenger explosion) that help reconstruct her world. She provides strong attention to detail that makes all the difference.

More striking still is Reed’s exploration of Ashley’s struggle to fully identify as Black. Unlike most of the Black kids she knows, Ashley grew up wealthy and privileged. Besides the color of her skin, she has almost nothing in common with the Black kids, leading her to question her own Blackness at times. However, her privilege doesn’t protect her from racism, which she begins to realize more and more as the book progresses. Ashley grappling with her identity is something I found to be particularly relatable, as it’s something I’ve also experienced, and other Black readers may have as well. Reed perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being on the receiving end of microaggressions and outright racism. She writes about the confusion and hurt that comes with it, using Ashley’s questioning after each incident to further emphasize the often detrimental impact that follows, even if it isn’t fully realized at first.

Reed continues to use her characters to keep Ashley’s internal struggle at the forefront along with other issues. Ashley’s main group of white friends highlight the way microaggressions go unacknowledged by those using them, accompanied by playing them off as a joke (my blood was boiling reading some of the things her friends said). The other Black kids at their school present the divide between them and Ashley caused by class statuses and other circumstances Ashley isn’t as privy to because she was raised differently. Even within her own family there are major differences that Ashley notices, especially through the difference in personalities between Ashley and her sister. Reed offers a character study that pushes readers to think about the importance of each of them and coming up with the answers with Ashley.

Finally, the story Reed tells holds a frightening relevance to today and pointing out how Ashley notices history before her also repeats itself in certain ways. One great way Reed does this is through the before/during/after structure of the book: before the acquittal of the cops, during the ensuing riots, and after the riots slow down and LA is no longer on fire. This structure guides readers through the way it’s always been, made more timely by the continuing protests happening now for Black Lives Matter.

"The Black Kids" is a solid, heart-wrenching, and powerful debut from Reed. She draws attention to the sustained relevance and pervasiveness of racism and its different forms. She takes a deep dive through Ashley in a way that’s blatant but also provides a deeply nuanced examination of the topic, ensuring readers – especially the main age demographic – remain aware. She also provides insightful examination about privilege as it relates to class. Her words hit full force, providing a small taste of the heartache, anger, and frustration of Ashley’s experience. If you read one book this month, make it "The Black Kids."

The Black Kids is an incredibly eye-opening and heavy hitting book. This book is told in line with the real life events of police brutality against Rodney King and the riots that took place when the officers were acquitted and is incredibly relevant to what is happening right now with the BLM movement and the case of George Floyd. I hate to admit that I had no prior knowledge of the 1992 riots and did a lot of research into the case whilst reading this book.

This book not only tackles the subject of racism and privilege but it’s told from the perspective of a teenage girl who at first doesn’t understand how much it truly affects her and her families lives. Ashley is still trying to deal with her college application, tension within her family and figuring out who she wants to be. Ashley is not perfect but that makes her more realistic and relatable. I will admit that I didn’t find myself connecting with any of the other characters and at times I found Ashley’s friends to be annoying, especially with how reckless they are in their decision making and throwaway racist comments with no thought of how it would affect Ashley.

I appreciated the ending of this book (don’t worry I won’t spoil it) and how things aren’t perfect. Christina Hammond Reed made sure you were very much aware that this story and it’s message don’t just get brushed to the side with a happy ending. This book is raw and its relevant. These issues are not over and this is real life.

I think my only issue with this book is the way its marketed and compared to The Hate U Give which is one of my favourite books. I think I ended up going into this book with extremely high expectations which it didn’t meet by no faults of its own. This book is brilliant and beautifully written but I kept comparing it to The Hate U Give when I wish I didn’t and had gone in to this book with no comparisons.

Overall, The Black Kids was an educational, informative and eye-opening coming of age book that I really enjoyed reading. I recommend everyone picks this one up, you won’t regret it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.