Chrystal D. Giles' TAKE BACK THE BLOCK does a remarkable thing: it makes issues of social justice accessible for middle grade readers. By presenting difficult subjects in the context of a great story populated by memorable characters, the issues come alive with incredible poignancy. Wes and his crew feel so real. Readers will cheer for him as he fights to save his neighborhood from gentrification. They will cry for him when he and a friend are victims of racial profiling. They will identify with and admire his journey from a reluctant participant in his parents' activism to an independent and passionate leader ready to fight for what he knows is right. And they will come away with a better understanding of the importance of community and shared history. This story is so very timely and so very necessary. If I were a middle school/late elementary teacher, I would make TAKE BACK THE BLOCK part of my curriculum. Highly recommend. Many thanks to Random House Kids for the opportunity to read this advanced review copy.

Wes Henderson is all set to slide into sixth grade and start the year off right at his new middle school; he’s got his freshest clothes and coolest kicks picked out, and he’s confident that his best buds will be with him every step of the way. But when a development group makes an offer for his inner-city neighborhood, threatening to replace it with an upscale shopping area and condos, Wes’s eyes are opened in a whole new way. Suddenly the anti-gentrification protests his mom has made him march in take on a whole new meaning, and his friend’s forced relocation becomes more personal. Unable to stand by and do nothing, Wes dives into researching the history of his community, learning about issues of social justice, segregation, and racial inequality along the way. Although he’s surprised to learn that his friends don’t all agree with his views, he learns that navigating differing opinions is part of growing up, and that one voice—no matter how small—can make a BIG difference.

This very real, readable, and important book is one of the most relevant middle grade novels I have read in years. It touches on so many themes important in today’s society—prejudice, social justice, racial inequality, and police brutality, just to name a few—and makes them accessible to middle grade readers. As I rave about it to book friends (and anyone else who will listen!), I keep calling it “THE HATE YOU GIVE for middle grade,” which to me is the most accurately succinct description you can give someone in seven words or less of this brilliant, amazingly-written book. Every teacher needs this on his or her shelf, but more importantly, KIDS need to read this book! Wes is a character who becomes real from the moment he speaks on page one. This kid needs to be heard, and young readers need to hear his story; it’s as simple as that. Author Chrystal Giles has outdone herself in her debut, and I can’t wait to read what she has in store for us next!

Wes has been raised to speak up and speak out against Injustice, and while he dutifully attends the protests his activist mother organizes, Wes doesn’t see how the fight for social justice relates to him. But then his beloved neighborhood is targeted by a developer offering big money to buy people out of their homes.
Now the fight becomes personal. Along with his friends, Wes learns what it means to fight for what you believe in, how to stand up and fight for what’s right.
This MG should be in every classroom and school library as a primer for kids to see that their voices not only matter, but that they carry weight and can help affect real change.

Take Back the Block is an important book to diversify my classroom library. Gentrification is a topic that my fourth grade students may not be so familiar with, but the story is told in a way that makes this concept accessible for younger readers. What happens to Wesley is relatable to those living in one of the boroughs of New York City - instances like this probably happen more often than we even realize. The idea of peacefully protesting and marching to stand up for what you believe in is also especially timely due to current events. This book shows the importance of sticking together to preserve a community of families in a neighborhood. Anyone who has a strong connection to where they have grown up will root for these characters to succeed and be allowed the opportunity to remain where they call home.

Take Back the Block exemplifies everything great about middle grade: relatable characters, smart and laugh-out-loud humor, and important topics presented in an accessible, engaging way that keep the reader thinking about them long after they close the book. These are the marks of middle grade stories that stick with us forever, I would definitely recommend going for a classroom set or doing a full class read aloud with this one. It lends itself well to discussion and civics activities.

A middle grade book about gentrification might sound like a dry pitch, but in Giles' hands you get a hilarious, lovable story that presents a kid grappling with changes in his life and community. It gives kids the language to talk about changes they are seeing in their own communities. Wes starts the book reluctant to tag along to protests with his activist parents, but along the way becomes passionate about advocating for what's right. Wes and his group of friends have different perspectives on what to do about the development company that is interested in buying their neighborhood.

Wes is a flawed, funny, and well-dressed (he would never let you forget that) character that you can't help but cheer for from page one, even when he's trying to shrug off his responsibilities.

I love this book and can't wait to see what is next for Chrystal D. Giles.

TAKE BACK THE BLOCK is what I consider one of the best kinds of middle grade books: ones with fantastic characters you want to root for, ones that reflect the world kids live in, and ones that have serious heart. Take Back the Block is a wonderful way to teach kids about gentrification, and to show kids already going through issues similarly to Wes and his friends that they're not alone. All while maintaining a lightheartedness while touching on more serious topics. Definitely a must read for classrooms.