#review What a phenomenal, eye-opening gem of a novel! I couldn't keep this book down at all.  Savannah's story about her struggles as one of the few black students in a predominantly white institution is a must read for readers from all ages.

Savannah'a fight against battling racism in her college, even after knowing the risks behind the movement was really inspirational. Her thought processes were at a constant battle with how her mother wanted her to be as a black woman. This made me appreciate Savannah's character development even more. I loved how she chose to stay true to her own self! Her reactions to the racial slurs and microagressions were so well-written. The book is educational through and through. I got a deep insight into the American Education System through "Required Reading"  as well. This was one of the highlights of reading the book for me, since I am not an American. 10/10, cannot recommend it enough!

Wow, wow, wow. I flew through "Required Reading" in the span of a day. This story is powerful and gripping, and will have you sucked in from page one. Although it is quick-paced, it is heavy and challenging at times, as the main character, Savannah, is attacked with racial slurs and actions throughout the book.

Although there are several compelling components to this book, I was most drawn to Savannah's character. I admire her for her passion and ability to stay true to who she is, no matter her circumstance. She is strong and incredibly brave for speaking up and starting a movement in response to the racism she and other Wooddale students (past and present) have experienced for generations. She is determined to unearth what goes on behind closed doors at Wooddale, even if it means she has to sacrifice her full-ride scholarship to this Ivy League institution.

I loved watching Savannah grow, find her voice, and prioritize her happiness by creating her own path. She learns that she does not have to change who she is in order to fit in. You too, will be rooting for her throughout the entire book.

This book should be required in every school. It is hard-hitting and emotional for any reader, and can be extremely educational for those who have not experienced racism and/or elitism in the American educational system or in other areas of the real world. I recommend this book if you are looking for an educational, gripping YA contemporary read!

Thank you to Kristen R. Lee, Crown Books for Young Readers, NetGalley, and Turn the Page Tours for the eARC!

This book is going to be challenged in a lot of school libraries, because it presents the ugly truth of the ongoing presence of racism and microagressions. Protagonist Savannah’s mom has her heart set on Savannah attending the fictional Ivy League Wooddale as her ticket out of poverty, even though Savannah would rather attend an HBCU.

Long story short, although she makes friends among the few Black students at Wooddale, Savannah finds racism everywhere, and decides that she is going to speak out. She does so, despite coming up against the university’s golden-child son of a major donor.

Savannah’s struggles are contrasted with her best friend back in Memphis, B’Onka. B’Onka, too, is smart, but chooses a vastly different path.

What I loved about this book is that, in this first-person narrative, Savannah uses AAVE. Not only that, but it is more pronounced in scenes where Savannah is in Memphis than when she’s at Wooddale.

The point of this story is very similar to the smash-hit Ace of Spades, although without as much of a mystery to solve. I must say, I liked this one much more and hope it has similar to success to Ace of Spades.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Swearing, including the F-word. Drug use and drinking. Racial stereotyping and racism.

Who Might Like This Book.
Those who are interested in current events and social justice. Those who want to understand more about what victims of racism go through.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2022/02/february-1-releases-part-2.html

I really, really wanted to like this book about a first generation Black girl attending an Ivy League college. The things that I liked about it: exploring the tensions at PWI between Black students with money and Black students without money, exploring microaggressions, exploring the ways that rich people are advantaged in PWI, Savannah's struggle between attending an Ivy League school or a HBCU, and the juxtaposition between where Savannah grew up and the college. But ultimately this book felt like it was set in a college that was much smaller than an Ivy League school and that it was set 20 years ago (but it was definitely set in present day.) Maybe I'm naive but an inactive BSU? A school that took 48 hours to remove racist graffiti from someone's door? I think (hope) that no Ivy League school would be that blatantly terrible in 2022.

I wanted to like this more than I did. I definitely think it has important messages about institutional racism in education. But the events started getting kind of heavy handed and some of the characters fell flat for me. It just wasn’t a book that I was itching to pick back up when I put it down.

I'm in awe of Kristen R Lee's phenomenal debut novel, Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman.

In truth, I'm at a loss for words over this book because it is simply that good and I couldn't put it down.

The story pacing is perfect, and you cannot help but be drawn deep into Savannah's life in the prestige of Ivy League school, Wooddale facing ingrained racism and the manipulation of the legacy families whose place within the college is expected and not necessarily earned. It's hard-hitting and emotional, as well as being educational for those who either haven't experienced the troubles (I say this mildly) that Savannah along with other Black students in this fictional college, in the real world or the American educational system as a whole.

Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman is a book that should be found in every school. It is as I say a phenomenal debut novel that highlights issues that have no place in the twenty-first century and does it in a manner that is well-written, with characters that will be relatable, well rounded and ones I would love to read more about.

Welp, this novel didn't piss me off as bad as I thought it would. Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman is a story about a black girl's experience in a predominantly white institution. It is essential for all to read, and I think every race should experience it.

I connected with the book in more ways than one. I rejoiced at the familiarity while also cursing the ignorance displayed through the text. I also had moments where I stood up for individuals that probably shouldn't have gotten the time of day from me. There wasn't much character development in any of the folks presented, and I wish we would've gotten more from them. Excluding the main character, who was overly obsessive during the entire story, all the secondary players felt hollow.

3.5-stars

A solid read about institutional racism and its effects in and on college education. The character creation and development are a little bit obvious and heavy-handed, but they get the point across about the experiences of Black students at a historically white university, in this case a fictitious Ivy League school. The author shows readers everyday microaggressions, blatant racism and racist acts, and what makes an institution toxic. This will be good for book clubs, especially parent-child clubs or reading programs, and for high school classes.

I received an ARC from the publisher and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman is one of those bold “issue” books that really captured my interest. It highlights the racism and underhandedness that occurs in elite universities, and while I was aware of it, both due to common knowledge of common practices (legacy admissions, affirmative action) and recent headlines (the Operation Varsity Blues scandal).
Savannah is such a compelling lead, and you get a real grasp of the issues Black students face through her eyes. While many of her peers slacked off, she worked her ass off. She goes to Wooddale to achieve her mother’s dreams for her, and finds herself one of the few Black students on campus. As a result, she’s the target of racist bullying and attacks. I loved how she didn’t let Lucas, or any similar-minded folks win by giving up, and fought back and stood up for her right to be there. She really comes into her own as a strong Black woman, and I rooted for her as she did so.
This book is an in-depth look at racism in higher education in the U.S., and an incredibly well-executed debut novel. If you are looking for a hard-hitting YA contemporary, I recommend this one.

When a hate crime occurs at her elite Ivy League school, a Black freshman risks her scholarship to take on the school's racist past--and present.

This gripping, thought-provoking contemporary novel is a must-read! Although it is set on a college campus, the cliques, power dynamics, and constant struggle to find your niche and to balance school with life will be relatable to every high school student. Lee slams racist institutions with a blunt honesty that is refreshing, convicting, and guaranteed to get every reader thinking about how they will navigate the college environment and confront those injustices when they inevitably encounter them. I highly recommend this wonderful debut!

Savannah has worked hard to receive a scholarship to a Ivy League school. She isn't sure if she fits into this posh school and there are a series of events that make her question her future at the school. This book is an eye opener to what students can be up against.

What a critical book for young Black and Brown students graduating and going into the academic environment, which is basically always a cesspool of extra harm and stress for anyone not white. Thank you, Kristen Lee, for crafting this powerful and realistic story.

This was a book that I could see myself in. I am the daughter of 2 parents where one did not go to college and the other did not finish once I was born. I attended a PWI and I experienced plenty of microagressions and saw plenty of racism on the campus (especially since it was in the South). I also felt pressure to do well and "make it". I felt myself frustrated with Savannah and empathizing with her. Would I have made some different choices, oh absolutely, but everyone's experience is different and I respected Savannah's journey. This book was really good and I can't wait to put a copy into the hands of my Goddaughter who will be off to college soon!

We see so much in the news today about the hatred and othering that happens at schools across the country, and this book is a true window into that world for those who did not experience it. Savannah finds her voice and uses it in a powerful way, encouraging others to do the same.

I think this is a great book. So down to earth of what it is to be a black girl at a white college. Also liked how she was stilled linked to her old life and that her best friend didn't follow her but ended up pregnant. she was a dynamite girl trying to right the wrongs of this world.. Did think there should have been more investigation into some actions especially the vandalism of the car. Time alibis would have proven the case.

I was very impressed by this debut novel and found myself completely engrossed in Savannah's first year in college at an elite and mostly white university. On a full scholarship, she (and her mom) earned her the right to be there, but from day one, she is already questioning whether she belongs there because of the way she is treated, even by her roommate and roommate's mother. But her mother's voice constantly reminds her that she worked her butt off to get there and deserves to be there. But all is not well in the ivy-covered buildings of this "great" institution. Lucas Cunningham, a very wealthy and privileged son of The Cunninghams, generational supporters of the university, and boyfriend of her roommate, an "untouchable", begins a campaign of harassment, racism, and intimidation, leading to the most challenging year of her life, no matter which "dangerous" neighborhood she came from. This was a very quick read, and I felt Savannah's frustration, anger, pain, and fear throughout her trials even as I cheered her on. I loved that many of the side characters were not simply one-dimensional stand-ins. The author did a nice job developing many of them, especially Tasha, but also Savannah's best friend from home, even if her story was sad. Even as Savannah struggled to find her voice, I believe she came to the conclusion, if not me, then who? But I also liked the advice that Professor Daphne gave her at the end, and I loved Mrs. Flowers and the advice she gave her along the way. But in the end, it was Savannah who had to decide what was right for herself and I appreciated that lesson.

Overall, this was a very good read and more or less challenging a read depending on who you are and where your beliefs align. Personally, I found myself agreeing with Savannah more often than not, and the things she felt were very visceral for me. I highly recommend this book.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is being released on February 1.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reading Copy of this novel. I loved this! It reminded me of Dear Martin or The Hate U Give but for college-aged people as opposed to teenagers. I think this is a great book for young black women (or people) to read so that if they are going through the same hardships Savannah is going through, they don't feel alone. However, I also think it is good for young white people to read this as well to put themselves in Savannah's shoes and see situations from a different perspective. I will likely be recommending this book to my older students in the future.

This was such a great book. While the subject matter is always the bite in the butt - because why in 2022 are we still having to write books like this, because this is how the world still is. However, it's great to have books that fit the black girl experience, voice and soul. This is the first book this year going to the top of my readers advisory.

Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman by Kristen R. Lee is a debut novel for release in February of 2022. Savannah Howard has accomplished what most parents dream of for their child- a scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities in the country. And, at first, Savannah is just as eager as her mom is to get out of the run-down neighborhood she grew up in, and experience all that the illustrious Wooddale University has to offer her. However, right from the start Savannah is exposed to microaggressions and reminders that she is not as welcome as the glossy brochures purport Wooddale to be. In a series of racist attacks, Savannah must find the strength to stand up for herself and the other Black students at Wooddale. Is she willing to give up all that she and her mother worked so hard for? Is it worth it to stand out? What price will she pay for not just „accepting“ the way things are at Wooddale? Required Reading starts out with promise, and I liked where it was headed, but the turn from Savannah experiencing Wooddale to the vandalism of the Black university president‘s statue to uncovering a huge admissions scandal seemed to move at light speed. The tension between Savannah and her roommate, the relationship with the Black student union…it all moved too fast for me. I suppose that is the point- that Black students are exposed to microaggressions and outright racism from the get go. Experiences I‘ve never had to go through. So maybe I am not the target audience. (Part 1) part 2 I feel a bit conflicted with my rating as I did enjoy Lee‘s writing and there was much that could have been explored, but in the end, I don‘t think the reader was allowed to bond with any of the characters long enough to care that much about what was going on. Plus, I felt the ending tied everything up so nicely that it didn‘t feel true to what the message was. However, I would definitely add this to a classroom library as I do think it was enjoyable. The experiences of Savannah are not isolated, and it is valuable for all students to recognize this. Ultimately though, a mild recommendation from me. Thank you to @NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

*4.5

I really liked this book even though it was super heavy. It goes into great detail about Savannah's freshman year of college and all of the racism that she and her friends experience. It is something that is very real for a lot of students. The writing was really good and made you fully understand everything that Savannah was going through.

TW:Racism, Racial Slurs

I received an arc through netgalley.