As the end of high school nears, Ashley and her friends spend more time away from school than in it. Though Ashley is all too aware of the differences between her and her white friends, of the need to ‘be better’, she doesn’t pay much attention until the murderers of Rodney King are acquitted, and the city she lives in becomes engulfed in riots.

The Black Kids is a coming-of-age tale, a story of a young woman trying to find her place in the world and work out who, exactly, she really is. Ashley is caught between two worlds. Because of her parent’s wealth, she’s part of the rich kids, but her skin colour and her family’s history mean she’ll always be different.

This book is going to get compared a lot to The Hate U Give, but these are two very different beasts. Starr and Ashley are very different characters. The books share similar themes, but Starr witnesses the death of her friend, while Ashley for most of the novel remains removed by the events happening around her.

That removal adds to the strength of the book, as she tries to work out her own emotions and feelings, tries to dig deep and understand why she feels how she feels. One way I really connected with Ashley is in how she processes her emotions. The writing is beautiful and lyrical, and at times it feels like she uses such words to mask herself and avoid confronting her own emotions.

The problem is, Ashley feels things very deeply. Her numbness is a way of her holding onto control, and it can at times make her seem like she doesn’t care, but throughout the book it’s clear she really does. She just has so much going on she doesn’t know where to start caring.

The settings are different in The Hate and The Black Kids, too. These two characters are from completely different worlds, and in each case Starr and Ashley have more in common with each other’s cousins than they do with themselves. Ashley lives in a ‘good’ (aka rich, majority white) neighbourhood in L.A. The tone is different, the attitudes, time period, etc. There’s more to separate these two than bind them, but both are amazingly fantastic books everyone should definitely check out.

In short, The Black Kids is a beautiful, lyrical coming-of-age tale, Ashley is a character lost, confused and struggling, her parents paying more attention to her wayward sister than her, and who is completely engaging. I can’t wait to see more from Christina Hammonds Reed.

The Black Girls is a brilliantly written and engaging book, with a deceptively chatty tone that lures you in to a sense of comfort, before a perfect, powerful sentence snaps you to attention. This is an arresting book about growing up and drifting apart from your friendship group, learning who you are and who you want to become. It’s about facing history head on and understanding how the past impacts the present and the future. It hits hard on social injustice, race and class, opening the eyes and hearts of the characters and the reader. Although Christina Hammonds Reed doesn’t gloss and filter or provide unrealistic happy endings, The Black Kids is an ultimately hopeful book, looking to a future that could be better. Should be better.
The comparisons with The Hate You Give are well deserved. I loved it.

I really really loved this. I had only watched the documentary LA 92 recently so when this popped up on my Goodreads I was buzzed to read it.

I read this in practically one sitting, only taking breaks for the bathroom and food and it is because I was so engrossed I wanted to know what happened next. I really liked Ashley, it was sad to see her struggle with her identity but it was amazing to watch her development throughout the story. I did not like Kimberly from the minute she was first mentioned.

The book deals with some important topics and issues that we need to be constantly speaking out about, not just when it is popular on social media. I am really trying to educate myself more because it is my duty to do so, the responsibility should not fall on others to do so.

Please please pick this book up when it comes out. I cannot wait to read what the author puts out next.

I'm going to find it hard to review this one. To start, I did enjoy The Black Kids, and would recommend, especially to fans of YA. But, and there is a but... I didn't find myself rushing back to read more, even at 90% of the way through, I was finding it more of a chore to finish. There may be a few reasons for this: 1. Lockdown has done strange things to my reading pattern- I find as soon as I start to read I'm fast asleep, so it's hard to really get into a novel when you only read a few pages at any one time. This is not the first book I've had this with; question is, would I still be like this with a 5 star book? 2. The pacing of this one did not sit well with me. Initially I found it slow - interesting, if not too deep when simply learning about the lives of these teenagers - but slow. Then half way through, it picked up, and this was the part I enjoyed the most. However, nearing the end it got waaaay too fast and the last part of the book breezed through. To be honest, I'd have enjoyed this one more if it started in the middle and spent more time on the latter parts: those were the most interesting, and as a blurb suggests, the parts that really explored and reflected upon race, and racism, alongside class, power and gender. I loved when Ashley started to become friends with Lana, and 'The Black Kids'; when she finally seemed to mature. In fact I'd have maybe enjoyed this more if it has been narrated by Ashley's sister, Jo; perhaps as I near my 30s I am (sadly) no longer in the right space to be able to emphasise with these YA characters. I'm likely being unfair, Ashley is portrayed absolutely accurately for a nearly 18-year-old: shallow, amicable, insipid. Yet she is likeable, and having had friends like Kimberly, I can definitely relate to the Mean Girls vibe. What Hammonds Reed did well, was allow me to, if not emphasise (I can't given I am white), but feel better educated about the everyday micro-aggressions Ashley faced, the ways she was silenced and oppressed, even by her 'friends', and I found myself thinking, that maybe this was the 80s, but apart from a few choice words, it seems there have been far fewer changes than we would wish in the fight against racism and injustice, the fight for true equality. Certainly for those insights alone, this is a debut worth reading, and I learnt a lot about the history of riots in LA. 3 stars from me, but I'll certainly be looking out for Hammonds Reed's next novel.

*I received an advance review copy of The Black Kids from the publisher through NetGalley.

I was torn with this book because I really wanted to enjoy it, I thought the plot idea of this book is excellent and so necessary. but I got 30% in and the author had mentioned "jews" 4 times already. I was torn about why.. was this subtly trying to engage in a diverse neighbourhood in LA? that's one possible reason. however, I truly feel like it didn't come across that way. either due to poor writing, or poor aims, it unnecessarily pointed out "jewish" characters (the first mention she called herself 'jewess'. for these reasons I decided not to finish it. however, I'm sure the book will be loved by many.

This is a coming of age story set In L.A 1992 Ashley is a black girl sheltered by the wealth of her family, so her parents chose for her (and her sister) to go to a private school where she's one of the very few black people. All of her best friends are white but who they are not good people in general. Her parents also seem detached and kind of selfish. There aren't many good people portrayed in the book, and the occasional racism made me question a lot of things about the writing style or the book or the real problem with systemic racism and body image. The writing is ok, it was good for the most part but some scenes were so smooth and linked beautyfly but some others were abruptly cut and left alone never to revisit some ideas or scenarios.

The book is character driven so the best parts are Jo (Ashley's sister) Lucia (Ashley's Guatemalan baby sitter), LeShawn a promising black player, and Lana a bit of a loner but a good person a little rough around the edges, who i think was bisexual but it didn't get more development after just one mention, so I felt the author added that part just to be inclusive and it's mention that she's half Egyptian near the end of the book
Another incredible thing about the book is the setting and the description of the riots and the emotions that some people developed during and after this whole thing blew up. Jo is the person who really feels and understand the need for the anger and frustration of the people she is the voice that shakes your thoughts and makes you feel alive and woken up! Having this kind of read in this time and age feels like history repeating itself #BLM #icantbreathe
Id love if the printed version came with a playlist to listen while reading the book, as the music mention really help to put yourself back in the 90's
I really loved how it created confusion amongst all the delicate white people who easily judge and blame one another. (No, sorry that didn't happen the only one confused and judgemental was Ashley as the white people didn't care at all) and that's when the book fell short for me. Though we see very little growth in Ashley I just didn't care for her.

I didn't like our main character at all she's not particularly smart, witty or sensitive, to the contrary, she's just one of those girls at school who judges everybody, by their looks even skin colour (yes she's black and a bit racist herself) she fat shames people and judges her mum for exercising with Jane Fonda Video tapes. She sleeps with her best friend's boyfriend knowing she will hurt her friend and still didn't care about the consequences I didn't like much being in her brain reading her thoughts so I tried to finish this parts faster.

Something else I think was a little confusing for me was the adults, in most of the YA they are mostly non existent and they are always stupid or just kind of hovering around the story with out much to do, in this book the parents are a core part of the story in the way they educate this girls and they mention the values they want them to follow and they teach them how hard they had to work to study hard to do the best they can, the parents argue and the feel I got from them was that there fell out of love but they tried to be the best they could yet there's an incident involving policemen a kids and the mother (after talking to the girls) and they do nothing!!

This book made me think and feel I even went online and watch part of the coverage of the riots and also I played some of the music mentioned and for that reason is 3.5 stars. Some of the issues I have with the book might be mostly because of the genre and its tropes which I thought might not exist in historical fiction.

Took me a little while to get into the story and after a week I manage to get at 20% after that it felt better and the pace took off until maybe 75% after that I was kind of wondering where this is going? The very last 10% dragged for too long I'm sure it can be edited I think the last part of the book is not necessary to read and that's a big shame.

The Black Kids is a powerful and timely novel about growing up as a black woman in 90s Los Angeles.

It explores racial inequalities in a way that holds a lens to our own time. Here are three reasons I would recommend it:

1. The Black Kids is filled with complicated relationships - between both family and friends. It explores growing up and moving on, and finding people who value who you are. It also reflects both the difficulties and importance of reconnecting with family, and understanding your family's history and where you come from.

2. Ashley undergoes a lot of character growth throughout the novel. She makes mistakes and learns to live with the consequences, as do many of the other characters in the novel. This story shows the importance of owning up to the things you have done wrong, and forgiving others for mistakes they have made.

3. The Black Kids' bittersweet ending ties up loose ends, but reminds readers that in real life, no ending is perfect (or final) and that sometimes the future can take us in unexpected directions.

Bonus reason: 90s LA, in the midst of the Rodney King riots, made a vivid and dramatic setting that will draw you in immediately, and stay with you long after you've read the final page.

I was provided with an advanced copy of The Black Kids for review via NetGalley

This book deals with so many themes including diverse friendships, race, growing up, growing up privileged, and even sisterhood! It was a great read based during a time when riots were happening in 1992. The Black Kids is huge exploration of the everyday racist remarks and issues that the black community deals with. It looks at class and privilege young people face as they transition into adulthood. I believe it is a very powerful read that all young reader's and people of all ages should read!

Wow - this is one of the best YA books I've EVER EVER read. Really important, especially with current events, but also as a historical novel.

I am slightly too young to remember the LA riots properly, but the implications that still have effects today are felt worldwide. I loved this.

This was a little slow to begin with but as you get into the story you become invested in in Ashley's coming of age story. I think it would have been really insightful to get more of Jo's side of the story given that she was more aware of racism in society to the point where she decides to try and do something about it.

Ashley and her sister Jo grew up wealthy without having to worry about anything, which is what her parents intended for them. This prevented Ashley from being fully aware of the fact that her skin colour will make people judge her possible for the rest of her life.

This book is set in the 90s around the riots in LA when Rodney King was murdered. I’m going to be completely honest until recently I didn’t know anything about these riots but I have been educating myself a lot in the last month and a half and this book was extremely impactful, emotional and should be required reading if you ask me. And as I’m not the target audience for this book (this is a Young Adult book), I know that this will be even more impactful on that target audience.

This book really hit me where it hurts. I started reading this about a week or so after George Floyd was murdered and a lot of the content of The Black Kids applies to almost exactly what has been happening recently which is crushing as it’s over twenty years later. This book is really well written and even though it was a slower read, it made sense. You also flip between the past and present in this book and it was easy to follow.

This book is all about racism and is a very character-driven book. There are a lot of microaggressions shown in this book and it really displays just how hurtful they are as Ashley's friends are awful. I really hope when teens read this book they get that message loud and clear. Something I found to be extremely important in reading this is that it displays that racism affects all Black people, even the wealthily. I know from people around me that white people can assume that wealthily people don’t experience it.

"If there's not justice for one of us, there's no justice for any of us"- That just sums up the whole book!

I think this book is a perfect read for what is going on in the world today and also it educates us how little things have changed in the forty years since the riots of 1992.

I learned a lot from reading this book. I think it does a good job highlighting the hurt and injustice that black people face in their day to day lives.

Also, kudos to the author as this is her debut novel, I am eagerly looking forward to more books by her.

Highly recommended to everyone!

Thank You NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for this ARC!

I have no words for this book. It is such an important and relevant read. I never wanted it to end. I loved the characters and the development throughout.

I loved this, great book about the LA riots of 1993 and a privileged black girl living nearby. She hangs out with white people and finds that they don't really care about her and her life. Her sister is living in a neighbourhood with riots and wants to join in.

This is an absolutely exceptional new young adult novel which I can already see exposing its readers (hopefully of all ages) to some important and timely conversations. Set with a backdrop of the 1992 Rodney King riots in LA, Hammonds Reed's novel is a haunting reminder that the current conversations highlighted in the media are not new; history is repeating itself and nothing is changing. With justified comparisons to the stunning The Hate U Give, Hammonds Reed has expertly crafted the story of Ashley and her family to be a true wake up call to the reality of police brutality and racism entrenched in societal structures.

Ashley is on the cusp of adulthood, waiting for her college acceptance letters and enjoying the time hanging out with her friends. She attends an expensive private school, with primarily white students, and lives in a more affluent area of LA. She is used to facing microaggressions in her school-life, such as the disturbing memory from a childhood pool party where her friend said Ashley could never be a mermaid as she is black, but she never really thought about challenging this prejudice as she has lived a sheltered life. As the riots inflame in LA, Ashley is increasingly forced to face up to her lack of action and her true feelings towards these prior instances of racist behaviour from her friends.

Hammonds Reed balances the historical events of the riots, including injecting the narrative with the media portrayal of the Rodney King attackers' court case and subsequent riots, with a deeply moving portrayal of family and community turmoil. We see Ashley evolve from a care-free, bubbly teenager to her comfortable existence being uprooted as she wakes up to the reality of racial prejudice she faces and will always face. The novel is packed full of issues to force the reader to face their own prejudices and perhaps also the privilege of their own comfortable life. This is alongside Hammonds Reed widening the scope of the novel from not only racial prejudice but shining a light on struggles with mental health, domestic abuse, slut shaming, the AIDs epidemic... This novel is by no means light in its delivery but packs a hugely important, educational punch.

All in all, I found this novel thoroughly absorbing and found myself examining my own life and actions throughout - an educational, beautifully written read which I hope reaches a wide audience upon its release. I would also genuinely like to see this text taught in English classrooms as a springboard into some of these conversations and will be recommending it from the rooftops to my teaching colleagues.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I.AM.IN.LOVE

Drop every book you’re reading right now and read this book ! I’m serious, this is one of the most impactful books I’ve read in 2020 !! It’s heartbreaking that the systemic racism is still happening in the exact same way 30 years later and it depicts how the system needs to change !

Ashley is a Black high school student from a relatively financially well-off background. Because of that, she begins the novel completely unaware of the political events and protests happening around her. She views the world through a different lens because of her financial situation (which is extremely interesting). But, her white friends are always telling racist jokes and comments about her and so Ashley starts realizing that she doesn’t fit well in her white friends group ! Throughout the book we see plenty of her white friends enacting micro-aggression’s and she tells us of more overt acts of racism that she and her family have experienced. What I really loved about Ashley’s character and more importantly the evident character development, is that she slowly realizes the importance of speaking up, even if it doesn’t affect you directly (which it affected her, but she didn’t realize it until later) and how embroiled she became in the events surrounding her.

To conclude, I believe that this book is so influential and important in our time. Despite being a historical-fiction, the events and sentiments depicted in the book are well relevant even today. The writing is vibrant, the events stick with you and the character development is extremely well done. I can’t recommend this enough.

Thank you to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster and Christina Hammonds Reed for my arc of The Black Kids in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: A coming of age debut that explores issues of race, class, gender and violence through the eyes of a 17 year old, wealthy, black girl named Ashley. Ashley's parents have tried to give her and her sister Jo everything in life that they never had. Ashley goes to a good school and lives in a nice area, her parents have good jobs, and Ashley feels different from 'the black kids' at school, the ones who are there on scholarships. One afternoon in April 1992 everything changes when LAPD officers are acquitted after beating black man Rodney King half to death.
Suddenly Ashley is more aware of herself than ever. She's no longer one of the girls, part of a unique clique that no longer includes her. Now she's one of the black kids and her eyes are slowly opened to the casual racism among her friends as well as the wider issues effecting the black community in LA.

I was only 2 in 1992 and also British so I'd never heard of the LA riots or the terrible thing that happened to Rodney King and the uprising that followed. What's sad is that 28 years later history is repeating itself, not to mention all the times in between. Ashley's perspective is a unique one because to all intents and purposes she has never seen herself as anything but part of her group, never really thought that her colour mattered to her friends. Until she realises it does. Until she realises that they're saying it's her fault they got stopped by the cops, or using the 'N' word casually. For Ashley this is a coming of age story as much as one about the wider issues going on in the poorer neighbourhoods of the city, and I think that is such a unique perspective. Ashley also sees what it is to not only be black but a black woman and explores concepts of patriarchy and misogyny as well. If you're looking for a book which will continue to educate you about why Black Lives Matter is such an important concept and why as white people it is important we continue to educate ourselves, then I would highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book. An interesting take on younger black kids and how they feel with police and there fears. The one thing it didn't seem to have was much of a plot but the characters and how the pacing went kept me reading this till the end, so I would recommend it I just with it was a little more indepth.

The Black Kids is a teen girl's story set in the 1990s during a period of community uproar demanding justice after the inhumane police brutality seen by Rodney King—a young Black man. Ashley, the main character, is grateful for the life her parents have worked to built for her: a safe neighborhood, a reputed high school, and a sheltered lens to view the world through. But the perspective gradually changes when not only does her city burn up in protest but also her own sister is too close to the fire.

Despite being a historical-fiction, the events and sentiments depicted in the book are well relevant even today. The evident racism and microaggression that becomes clear enough to acknowledge only when a deeply moving, and often saddening, incident happens is an unfortunate yet timely exploration. As the riots get heated, the dynamics of a Black teen with her white friends, her family, her rebellious but self-assured sister, and herself changes.

A definitive recommendation. This story can grow empathy towards the Black community who have been—and still are—facing hurtful, and highly destructive, prejudice for their skin color. It's educational and emotionally impacting; it's complexity is wildly accurate and a must for everyone to increase their understanding of past (and current) scenarios.

A fantastic read. Especially for non-American readers who don't have an insight to systemic racism in the US, it was as much of an eye opener as The Hate You Give. It's a complex and layered story, the narrator realiseing she has each foot in a different world, with just the right amount of hope to balance out the sheer, continuing horror of racism.

Small niggle: some sections where the narrator's voice went from her usual self to sounding like a documentary. I especially liked that it was set in the 1990s, as it was about when I was a teenager too. The current events referred to were mostly alien to me, though.

(Review copy from NetGalley)