Title: The Black Kids

Author: Christina Hammonds Reed

Publication Date: August 4, 2020

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Suggested Reader Age: YA

Genre: Contemporary, Historical Fiction

Triggers: Suicide, violence, racism, N word, swearing, teenage sex, alcohol, drugs

› I was 10 years old when I watched Rodney King being beaten by the police on TV and it stayed with me for the rest of my life. I requested this ARC from Netgalley because I wanted to know the riots from the perspective of a Black person living there. Reading a story told from the perspective of a teen about an event that took place when I was a tween was an experience I cannot explain. At first, I thought The Black Kids was a 4 star read for me, but as I write this review I'm realizing I loved this more than The Hate U Give and if that was 5 stars then this is definitely 5 stars.


"First things first: be pretty. Never take up too much space; your breasts, arms, lips, hips, thighs, and even your nose should always be just so. If your body should spill over just so or not quite fill it up, well, honestly, I don't know what to tell you. Just don't. Be a good girl, but not too good..."


› I use the CAWPILE method to rate books.
0-3 Really bad
4-6 Mediocre
7-9 Really good
10 Outstanding

› Characters: 10 The characters are well-developed, real, but not always likable - and that's okay! I'm learning to embrace the idea that characters don't need to be likable to be well-written.

› Atmosphere: 8 Some of the descriptions and world-building felt just slightly not quite enough for me.

› Writing Style: 10 I love the writing style and I can't wait to read more from Hammonds Reed. It's unapologetically RAW and authentic and at times, painful, but necessary and refreshing.



" 'Cause, like, it's not just about the cops, right? It's all of it. Yes, the LAPD is racist as hell, and black and brown communities get policed differently than white ones. That's a fact. But also, the schools suck. There's no jobs. You don't give people any opportunities to make something of themselves or to see a way out of the shit they're dealing with every day. There's no hope. And when kids turn to gangs or drugs, people act all surprised. Like, what the f___ did you think was gonna happen?' "



› Plot: 8 I wouldn't say this is a page-turner, but I did want to keep reading. I didn't feel the climax, but liked the ending (not a pretty ending wrapped up in a bow).

› Intrigue: 9 I did want to keep reading and wanted to know what was going to happen.

› Logic: 10 I wasn't confused at all, everything made sense.

› Enjoyment: 10

add up the scores
find the average 9.3

1.1-2.2 = ★
2.3-4.5 = ★★
4.6-6.9 = ★★★
7-8.9 = ★★★★
9-10 = ★★★★★

My Rating ★★★★★

› Final Thoughts
• The Black Kids is a coming of age story about identity, systemic racism, sexism, privilege, and out-growing friends. It's been 29 years since Rodney King was brutally beaten by police, and yet, here we are in 2020 and George Floyd was killed by police. We MUST stand up for justice. Black Lives MATTER. As a Canadian white woman, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read a book providing me with an insight into the lives of Black people. This is a must-read for ALL readers.



Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.



*Quotes taken from an ARC copy and subject to change*

Christina Hammond Reed’s The Black Kids holds nothing back. From the book’s very beginning it packs a punch and throughout, the hits just kept on coming. There is a lot to unpack in this novel and Reed does a great job of showing all of the inner-workings of Ashley’s life and just how all the moments depicted in the book were culminated to make up just who Ashley is due to what she’s experienced. From an affluent African-American family, Ashley already sticks out like a sore thumb amongst her group of friends because she is Black. There are a plethora of micro-aggressions she has to put up with and navigate through the book that will leave readers cringing, and likely wanting to scream (at Ashley's so-called friends and just out of frustration).

There is a particular moment in The Black Kids that stuck with me even after I put the book down. The excerpt reads: “We have to walk around being perfect all the time just to be seen as human. Don’t you ever get tired of being a symbol? Don't you ever just want to be human?” For Black people, this seems to be the standard. Even Ashley’s grandmother points out to her that she needs to be better than everyone else in the room just to get the smallest piece of pie or the bare-minimum - and sometimes, one doesn’t even get that. Even at Ashley’s absolute best and brightest, her light is dimmed by those around her who treat her differently or expect she is meant to be a certain way simply because she is Black. In The Black Kids, Reed perfectly demonstrates the struggle that Black people face day-in and day-out and just how tired we are.

With the riots happening around her, Ashley finds herself wondering just where she fits in with all of it. While the book is definitely a coming-of-age story, it is one unlike any other I've read before. And while the book is about Ashley, Reed does a great job of showing the experiences of others who are not Ashley. For example, there is a scene where a group of young Black boys are being harassed by a police officer and when Ashley and her mother arrive home and her mother tells her father about what transpired, he asked if they did anything. Her mother replies that there wasn't anything that could be done and that she didn't want herself and Ashley to become targets themselves. Painting the experiences through those who look like her and her family, but are not her and her family was an important way of showing readers that while all people do not go through the same struggle, they still experience it in various ways.

The Black Kids is a brilliant exploration of systemic racism, class and family dynamics from the very first page. This book should be on everyone's radar. It is important, timely and a page-turner. Be sure to add The Black Kids to your TBR lists; you won't regret it!

The Black Kids takes place in Los Angeles during the Rodney King riots of 1992. During the same time period, a teenaged Black girl named Ashley is growing up in a predominantly white world — the neighbourhood she lives in, the school she attends, and even the people she befriends. The story unfolds with Ashley’s struggles to discover who she is and where she belongs.
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This story covers a lot of hard-hitting topics: coming-of-age, family relationships and history, teenage friendships, self-identity, and of course, race and racism. Ashley’s about to finish high school and go discover the world but she has yet to discover herself. She always felt as though she wasn’t Black enough to be apart of the Black kids but truly not able to fit her with her white friends either. She continually faces micro-aggressive and blatant racism from those around her and she also feels as though her parents are holding her back from the realness of being a Black person. When Ashley’s sister Jo becomes an active part of the riots, she starts to dig deeper into her self-discovery. Personally, I found the rawness of the book very compelling; I finished it in a day! As well, the historical aspect was educational. As a reader, I felt as though I was learning alongside of Ashley. As she was discovering more about her identity and family history, I was being exposed to things I’ve never heard of before (e.g. King Riots, Greenwood Massacre). However, I will say that though the themes covered are considered hard-hitting, I didn’t really feel the “hit.” It was more of an informative reading process for me.
Finally, I want to say that this is a story of it’s own regard; Black stories need not be compared to other Black stories just to garnish praise and recognition.

I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been trying to broaden my horizons with reading lately. More genres, more controversial topics, my POC authors, etc... this book was offered at a great time. I really enjoyed this read. It really made me think how everyone sees things differently. It brought to light more topics of racism and stereotyping. It was just a really good read and everyone should pick this one up.

Ashley is a teenage girl growing up in Los Angeles in the 90’s. Her family is upper class and sends her to a school that is predominantly white . Being one of the blacks in the school her experiences are different then a lot of the other students. Los Angeles is also dealing with the fallout of the Rodney King Verdict and the riots that are taking place. These riots have a direct impact on Ashley’s family as her grandmothers store is destroyed by looters and rioters. Ashley must navigate her relationships with her family, friends as well as continuing to learn about her family history and her race.
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I really enjoyed this book, growing up as a teenager in the 90’s it brought me back to some of my own experiences in high school. I also really liked the musical references mentioned in the book as I am a huge music fan and love 90’s music. This book is about racism, Black families, classism, white privilege & identity. I encourage everyone to read it, although it takes place in the ‘90’s it’s such a timely book.

This is a coming-of-age story set in 1992 during the Rodney King trial and the LA Riots. With this debut, Christina Hammonds Reed shows the tensions of the time and addresses many issues that are still pertinent today - systemic racism, micro and macroaggression, Black identity and white privilege.

The story centres around Ashley, a teenager who is one of the few Black kids at her predominantly white private school and has led a very sheltered life. Through her eyes we witness the microaggressions from her white friends, how the LA Riots affect her immediate family as well as her extended family who live in the neighbourhoods experiencing the riots.

There were parts of this book that were amazing, particularly the issues addressed and the different POVs that were included. I also liked that the story focused on a well-to-do Black teen who doesn't directly experience the Riots, yet feels their effects through those around her. But the story fell flat for me with its slow pacing and the muddled feel when the story repeatedly jumped back and forth from past to present. I was also hoping for more depth in Ashley's relationships with her family.

This book is compared to The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and it addresses similar issues but I'd say with less grit, tension and character development than THUG. The Black Kids concludes on an encouraging note and will hopefully push teens to learn more about the LA Riots and how these same issues continue to influence our Black communities 28 years later.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars - This book is extremely important and needs to be read by YA readers everywhere. This is a brilliant coming-of-age book, taking place in 1992 but really, could have taken place in 1962 and 2020 - only furthering the impact that this book will have on its readers. In just over 360 pages, this books tackles racism, privilege, feminism in addition to depicting the trials and tribulations of a young teenager. Ashley's snarky inner monologue was refreshing - even though she was a lost, flawed and scared teenage girl. The writing was simple but impactful, I was highlighting quotes on every page. There were certain parts in the plot where I almost cried for how meaningful the lines were but also because Ashley's voice was so authentic to the character, I felt like she was my friend. I think Reed handle the scenes dealing with racism, racial profiling and police brutality perfectly. She also painted a really hopeful ending for the main character (even if it was not necessarily the happiest of endings). I really, really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Christina Hammond Reed, and Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. I feel like this book is much needed right now. It is a story of truth, unfairness, racism, fighting back, and so much more.

Sisters Ashley and Jo are complete opposites. Ashley is without the passion her sister has for fighting back, fighting for what is right, and taking chances no matter the consequences. Ashley is Lost, figuring out who she is, making mistake after mistake along the way. She is also the only black girl in her group of friends, which gives a very interesting perspective in this story.

Very well written, and taking place in the time of Rodney King, this story is one not to be passed over. Riots, fires, protests, a fight dying and those trying their best to keep it going. I highly recommend this story and don’t want to go into too many of my thoughts for fear of spoiling!!! Go out and get yourself this one!!!

1992 growing up during the Los Angeles riots. For Ashley and Jo growing up in a affluent neighborhood not exposed to racism but soon it came out with the riots and Ashley facing it with her high school friends.
The ending came fast and felt empty like it was rushed.
Thank you! Netgalley, Simon & Schuster Young Reader and Christina Hammond Reed for this early arc in exchange of an honest review

Rep: Black representation, LGBTQIA+

TW: racism, violence, rioting

Wow. This book packs a punch. Told from the perspective of Ashley Bennett in 1992, this story explores an authentic teenage experience, while also tackling difficult subjects such as systemic racism and privilege. The story perfectly captures Ashley’s struggles with trying to belong with her non-Black friends while feeling guilty about not embracing her Black culture more. She struggles with her privilege and her desire to run away from complicated issues, while acknowledging that ignoring the problem doesn’t solve anything. Watching her observe, grow, and change through her experiences was incredible; the author just did such a fantastic job and avoided all cliches. This novel was gritty, powerful, and evocative – I cannot recommend it enough! It deserves all the hype it can get, so if you’re looking for an amazing ownvoice read, please give this one a shot!

4.5 stars

This is one of my most anticipated books of 2020 and thank you Netgalley for sending me an early copy. It did not disappoint at all. I loved every moment I’ve read.

This book takes place in the historical 1992 Rodney King Riots, which I am frustrated that I never knew about it, and I learned a lot while reading it. So not only is the book beautifully written with great characters, but also educational and VERY timely especially with the BLM movement going on (at least at the time I’m writing this review but I still am hopeful it will not stop until they get their rights and justice).

The book is divided into three parts: Before, During, and After. While that is great, I didn’t feel the shift of tone and atmosphere whenever I go into the next part. I felt that the story was just going and didn’t need this division.

We learn a lot about the riot from start to kinda finish but not really. It was brutal and violent and my heart ached when something happened which I won’t spoil it for y’all so I’m gonna stop right there. The discussion of race, class, and violence (both the riot and police brutality) was raw and heartbreaking but necessary to talk about.

The book is not plot focused though. It is a deep character driven story (and in a slower pace), which as a person who prefers plot more, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed my time reading it. All characters are flawed and that is very important to me when I read a book (DO NOT GIVE ME A PERFECT MARY SUE) and The Black Kids delivered it splendidly.

This book is also in the point of view of a rich Black girl which I NEVER read about because there aren’t any (at least on my end) so it is a fresh new take on a perspective to read about especially since she struggles to fit in with both of her white and Black folks.

Our main character Ashely is both a likeable AND unlikable character and that is a first time for me reading a character like that and WHICH I ADORED. But my favorite has to be Jo (Ashley’s sister) because I connected to her the most.

Speaking of Jo, this book goes on the topic of mental illness in the Black community and we see that through Jo and how her and Ashley’s parents reacts to that. It was hard to read at times because of the pressure that Black people get to be strong, “good,” perfect, and not give them a moment to just take a freaking break.

The parents in The Black Kids are realistic in the sense that they want their children to have a better life but at the same time, being hard on them (or giving them tough love) because they don’t want their kids to get in trouble and put themselves in danger because the world is cruel when it comes to their community.

I also love the topic of the “them,” “us,” and “we” that was being discussed in the book. These terms that we use on everyday life holds a huge impact when it comes to communities in general and I really appreciate that it was written in page.

The pretending that everything is fine when it isn’t was a big part when it came to Ashley’s family life and it was at times hard to read because while I felt empathy towards them, I also wanted to scream that IT IS OKAY NOT TO FEEL OKAY!!!!!!

The concept of friendship was my second favorite part of the story. Old vs New friends. We see how Ashley tries to fit in with her white friends and the toll it takes on her and many people can relate to that (me included). It gives out the message that sometimes you just have to let go and meet new people and I love how it all played out in the end.

I love the TINY (and I mean VERY TINY) romance that was in the book. LaShawn is JUST EVERYTHING. He and Ashley are just so cute together. Ashely needs a person like him in her life just saying.....

There was only one plot device that I wished was explored more in regards to what happens to a certain character when I was nearing the end of the book and I really hope that the author does a spin-off book about said character. Maybe even in the point of view of both Ashley and said character and I can’t say more because of spoilers.

The ending was done perfectly with a dose of happy, bittersweet, and a hopeful message to the reader. I don’t think another ending would be as perfect as this one in The Black Kids.

Overall, I loved this book to pieces and highly HIGHLY recommend everyone to read it as soon as possible!!!!!

"If there's no justice for one of us, there's no justice for any of us"

We have to change the system.

Set during the period of 1990s when the community was demanding justice for Rodney King, The Black Kids follows a high school senior Ashley, who is in a bubble at the beginning of the book, but as in life, begins to grow and think about her place in the world, as the story progresses.

Ashley is well off and attends a predominately white school, and while her life is far away from the events of Rodney King the issue of racism is very present in her life as she navigates the world around her.

There was so much about this book that I loved, Ashley’s inner dialogue was so full of personality that it really allowed me to understand her more deeply as a person. The story was so on time and indicative to what’s happening around the world today. Although Rodney King incident happened 30 years ago, little to nothing has changed and I think that’s the real story here. That at the end of the day Ashley and all kids like her will always be seen and labeled as one of the ‘Black kids’.

This book tackled some serious issues, issues we continue to tackle as a culture and community, but I love that the author wrote in such a sensitive and authentic way.

Well-written and thought-provoking read.

An excellent read and one I believe would be a great discussion opener for high school students. Ashley is in her senior year at a private high school, her friends are white, she is black. She has always had white friends and lives in a white, fairly prosperous neighborhood. It is 1992 and Los Angeles, the brutal death of Rodney King has sparked riots, demanding justice. Ashley’s life takes a turn, now she becomes recognizable as one of “The Black Kids”. (Reminiscent of the riots of today!). Her wayward sister gets involved with the rioting, life is not the same anymore.

A book filled with emotions, friendships, family, racism, loyalty and disloyalty, romance, and it goes on, a page turner you will find hard to forget. Highly recommended, particularly for youth, but also an excellent read for adults. 4.5 stars

For the full review: https://fictionfixerreads.wordpress.com/2020/07/25/arc-review-the-black-kids/

The Black Kids is a nuanced and raw look at racism and the systems that perpetuate it. While The Black Kids is set in the 90s, in the middle of the Rodney King riots, the event frames the narrative and the experiences that the characters go through. The event isn’t just mentioned for the sake of a namedrop or nostalgia, but rather, it emphasizes how complicated it is to be a Black person in the middle of racial tensions, issues, revolutions, riots, etc. The Black Kids also explores social justice from an interesting point of view, which interlaces the complexities of class privilege with sexism, racism, intergenerational trauma, and so much more.
It offers a perspective that calls us to challenge and unlearn our own biases and prejudices, without being on-the-nose. It’s complicated, messy, multifaceted, and grounded–nothing is presented as easy and perfect. The subject matter and social issues set in the 90s that are still relevant today are presented in an understandable and memorable way.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3450228594

For a first novel, this is exceptional. An exploration of family, class, systemic racism and growing up-this story’s imperfect protagonist grabbed me from the first page. The story takes place during the Los Angeles Riots in 1992- which was fascinating to revisit especially given the current context. I personally found it incredibly sad to see how few social changes have been made since then. The story is more character than plot driven so the pacing may be slow for some. Also there are several plot points that may disturb some teen readers. Yet, I think that this timely story would be fabulous entry point to explore anti-racism concepts with teens. I will be purchasing a copy for our LLC and recommending this. Thank-you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this advanced copy.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for an arc of this book!

Me, being the idiot I am, very briefly skimmed the synopsis and completely missed the fact that this book takes place in the 90s lol, so for a part of it I was very confused why walkmans were a thing, and why no one was on social media, or had cellphones. So don't be like me, and actually read the synopsis.

Reading this book was an experience. Seeing how closely our present lives mirror that of people in 1992 was eerie and sad. To think that it's been 28 years since the LA Uprising, and the world has learned nothing since then. It's horrifying and awful, and this book really goes to show how much has stayed the same. I'm really glad I picked this one up right now, not just because of everything going on in the US right now, but also because it was quite eye-opening. I had never heard of the LA Uprising, and the more I read, the more I got to learn, as our main character Ashely learns about what is happening.

One thing I did like about this book is the unique perspective. Ashley is a privileged Black girl. Her parents have worked hard and tried their best to shield her and her sister from the kind of childhood they had, and so she grows up aware, yet unaware of the true brutalities and difficulties that other Black people face. Her friends are all white and she lets their racist comments slide by because she's trying to fit in and not make a big deal about everything. Her sister, on the other hand, grew up more aware, and chose to educate herself about what was going on in different parts of the world, as well as in her own backyard. And throughout the book we see the tension between the two sisters as Ashely tries to tell Jo to stop trying to fix things and protest and just come home.

This isn't a perspective that I've read about before. Most books I've read that centre on Black stories, feature main characters who are right in the middle of it. But despite that, we still see that Ashley does experience things that white people don't (the stares, the comments, the slurs), yet she's also fortunate because she has money and can afford to go to a private school and have access to better education.

I really enjoyed seeing Ashley's relationship develop with LaShawn and Lana, and how she starts to see her friends for who they really are. Also, her closeness to Lucia was so heartwarming and I loved seeing how they spend time together. We also learn so much more about Ashley's family, most of which she was unaware of. It highlighted a history that I know I haven't learned as a Canadian, but I'm sure many people in the US haven't either.

Overall, I do recommend this one, and I also suggest learning more about the LA Uprising after you finish reading it. I wish the book had a little afterwards explaining more about what happened in 1992 and why the author chose to write about this specific event, but other than that, this was a pretty great read. I don't think I loved the writing style, but it didn't take away from the story. Besides that, my only other complaint is that parts of it did read slow and it felt like not a lot was happening. For a book under 400 pages, it did take me longer to get through than I was expecting.

This takes place in 1992 during the Rodney King riots.
Sadly, it could have been set in 1965, or even today since so little has changed in all these years.
The characters & writing felt a little flat for such a prominent subject matter, but the heart is there.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for my DRC.

One of the most obvious and alarming things I took away from this book is just how little things have changed with regard to systemic racism since 1992.

The Black Kids, is a true coming of age story (which in and of itself is so very 90's) taking place in LA in 1992, during the uproar throughout the city regarding Rodney King and the police brutality he experience and the following trial and verdict. Following black teen, Ashley, growing up in an affluent family, at a posh school, with an extremely filtered lens on life compared to most black kids her age. All of her friends are white, she doesn't seem to identify at all with the handful of other black kids at her school and the microaggressions doled out by her friends toward her mostly go unnoticed. Until, with the help of the community outrage and her activist sister, Jo, she starts to see her life, family and friendships in a whole new light.

The pace of this story is definitely on the slower side, focused mostly on character development and less on action but I couldn't put it down. It touches on not only racism but also privilege, identity and family dynamics. There were so many references to 90's songs that I loved and should this be made into a movie or series the soundtrack would be so amazing. It must be mentioned that the cover of this book is phenomenal. This is such a relevant and important read that I highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this book! Set in 1992 during the Rodney King riots, the main character Ashley learns that being raised in a wealthy family and attending a "good" high school does not matter, she's still one of the Black kids. As the story unfolds, Ashley, her sister Josephine and her parents are affected by what is happening in their community in different ways. It's also a coming of age story; Ashley begins to discover why her parents made the choices they did, why her sister needed to protest, and who her true friends are. This story will make you seriously think about how little has changed for the Black community, they are still being profiled, questioned, and the brutality suffered at the hands of the police makes no sense.

I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down! Read it in a day and a half. I highly recommend it!!