I can tell Autumn poured her heart in this well written read. There were jewels definitely dropped and I learned a few things here. I have no shame in my YA reading and this has become one of my favorites. I enjoyed Both Kevin and Gibran equally and admired how they both were strong driven and resilient. Absolutely Loved

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Review based on final copy. All opinions are my own.
All You Have to Do originally caught my attention months ago, but it sadly fell by the wayside for one reason or another until I committed to picking it up as part of my Black History Month reading. And having read it, I’m impressed, particularly in how it captures two periods of recent-ish Black history, highlighting both the progress made and how far we still have to go. While I knew a little more about the 1960s and the Civil Rights movement, I still took away a lot from that part of the book, especially how it centered a real-life protest in reaction to the expansion of Columbia University into Morningside Heights. I liked how this was mirrored with the 1995 arc’s centering of the polarizing response to the Million Man March, sadly something I did not learn about in school.
With the backdrop of protest in both time periods, I love that Gibran and Kevin stand up for their passion for what they believe in against the elites of their society, whether it be a prestigious university or a fancy prep school. I also appreciated how the two were tied together beyond the thematic parallels, with Kevin being Gibran’s mother’s brother, but the relationship between siblings being complicated, just as Gibran’s relationship with his mother can sometimes also not be less than perfect.
This is a solid debut, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more books from Autumn Allen in the future. If you’re looking for a book that explore two pivotal moments in Black history through the lenses of Black teen boys, I’d recommend checking out this book!

Set against real and powerful events in history, two young black men deal with racism and risk much to fight to be seen and treated with equality and dignity. This dual point of view story is a poignant reminder of how much and how little has changed within a thirty year span of time. Thought provoking and heart crushing, this book is a much needed own voice telling that is sure to spur not only conversation, but action in the lives of its readers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘼 𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 (𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨) 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖.

I feel like I’m on the fence with this book. I went into it with low expectations as I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be for me. The premise was so interesting and I would definitely recommend this book without a doubt.

Kevin and Gibran were both interesting characters and I enjoyed that the book focused on two different timelines, while both characters still dealt with the same issues.

I think I was a bit more intrigued by Kevin, mainly because I found it more interesting reading about his character and the issues he faced during the Civil Rights era.

While I think this book would work so much more for other readers, I didn’t feel too attached to it. It wasn’t a bad book by any means, I just couldn’t connect to it that well.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review. All You Have To Do
by Autumn Allen was such a amazing book and told with 2 different POVs. I think everyone should grab this book.

like the way this book blends two tough political and racial climates. We see how these two young men struggle to be accepted at their schools, to prove to their white peers that admission is not the same thing as belonging. Their is a lot of discussion of being seen, heard, acknowledged. The writing moves quickly and keeps us engaged and eagerly advancing through the plot. Which is almost a shame, because these are concepts that are worthy of thought, of lingering and contemplating. I could easily see using this book with a group of modern teens to spark discussion of the current approaches to race and how events in the news (MLK's death, the Million Man March, BLM protests) affect how we approach questions of racial inequality.

An interesting look at racism through a historical lens. This story follows two different characters, one present day, and one during the civil rights movement, I found them to be so similar it was hard to tell the difference who was who..

A unique look at racism in America through the lens of teenagers in 1995 and 1986, during the Million Man March and the occupation of Columbia University, respectively. I enjoyed the perspective of both young men, and I really liked how it shed light on some recent and not-so-recent history.

This is a great book. It does well telling the story from two perspectives and I love how the stories weave together gradually. Well worth the read.

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to fully and properly put into words what this book is, but I can confidently say that it is truly engaging and well-written. Autumn Allen has woven together two historical timelines to create a story that is deeply personal while also working within the timeline of very real history. It’s almost shocking how applicable some of the experiences are to the present day, and to that they are so much more important to tell. The humanity of the MC’s as well as the people around them is really engaging and I really appreciated Allen’s intentional inclusion of a variety of perspectives even outside of the main characters’. This book was so readable and made me even more curious and I truly recommend reading it.

What ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is ultimately looking at how it is to be a young Black man at a so-called prestigious academic institution, and what it takes to succeed under those circumstances, 30 years apart. It captures two timelines, April 1968 with the Columbia University protests following Dr. King’s death, and 1995 surrounding the Million Man March. In part because of how recent this history is and in part because of Allen’s writing, these timelines feel near contemporary, and flow so well within plotlines and character arcs.

I’m not a huge historical fiction reader but I honestly ended up finding this book really hard to put down. It’s the kind of book that makes you curious, even about the topics I was already familiar with. It also does a good job of letting the characters be true individuals in a character sense despite being composites of historical experiences. Yes, it’s absolutely powerful and thought-provoking but it’s also just a good, and very heartfelt book, and one I would happily read again.

I loved the correlations between the characters, and yet how despite how different they are, the conversation is cylindrical—-how no matter time has passed, we still endure racism and colorism within communities.

While I appreciate the subject matter and the themes that are brought up throughout the novel, I have to be honest and admit that I didn't really enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I think it might have to do with the fact that I didn't feel a connection with Kevin or Gibran. I felt like they were too similar at times and if it wasn't for the different time periods, I would be confused as to which character is which. Besides that, I also was a bit more invested in Kevin's story than Gibran. Learning about the background history of the Columbia protests and seeing Kevin partake in the protests was interesting to me and I think those were the best chapters of the novel.

At times, I got annoyed with both Kevin and Gibran because Kevin had a really holier than thou attitude and Gibran was really bratty. It made reading the book frustrating at times. I did adore the healthy mother-son relationship that Dawn and Gibran had. Overall, I learned a lot while reading this and seeing the things that Kevin/Gibran went through throughout the novel still happen to this day is beyond sad and disheartening but I did like the inspiring message at the end of the novel. I just wished that the character arcs had a better resolution.

Thank you Penguin for this ARC
I went into this book expecting history, and difficult racial experiences. I didn't expect such raw and empathic writing. Allen doesn't just tell you about what Kevin and Gibran are experiencing, her writing pulls you into the story right into their shoes. I've never read a book where the level at which the character is experiencing plot also has the reader experiencing everything to such perfect detail.
The story follows Kevin and Gibran, two young Black men in different time periods facing similar struggles. Kevin's POV leads up to the events of the Columbia University sit in, while Gibran tries to get his school to allow him and other Black students to attend the Million Man March. Both contend with racism, microaggressions, gaslighting, and pushback at the thought that racism is even happening in their schools.
I really love this book. It focuses on very real events of history that doesn't get taught in schools, and if it does it is with a glossy sheen. The relationship that Gibran has with his Mother is executed so well. She is someone who has lived through horrible events and has experienced a level of fear that Gibran hasn't yet. She just wants to protect her family, and has seen what activism has done to people like her brother. The frustration Gibran experiences with feeling like she doesn't understand or hear him, it just was so good. I also really liked the drawings through the book, again it just helped set the scene and visualize what is going on. I promise this isn't the gut wrenching book I fear I am making it sound like. There is so much hope in this, and support. The way Harlem comes together to support the protesters and bring them food, and how Gibran's friends and classmates just want to help him if he would only listen. The way family is so strong in this story and always supports the characters with love, even if they don't quite seem to understand (or like) what has them so passionate. The sense of community and togetherness makes every difficult scene worth reading.
Please make sure you check your trigger warnings before reading. Apart from the racism, the tension in scenes especially with police and protests had me on edge, and it will be difficult for a lot of people to read.
There are certain groups of people who like to think that racism and microaggressions are always loud and obvious, big events that lead to arguments. The reality is that it much more like a slow and steady drip of seemingly inconsequential events. Ignorant and passive aggressive actions actions that just build and build and poke and poke and prod and hurt until everything just builds up and the pressure explodes. And then it is all "why are you so defensive. We didn't mean it that way. " If you fight back you are the problem. Etc. Or you hold it inside of you and it eats away at your dignity and everything you are until you are composed of nothing but bitterness and rage.
This is the third book that I've read this year focusing on the BIPOC experience at predominantly white schools. They continue to be some of the most relatable, raw, and overall excellent books that I will never stop recommending.
I HIGHLY recommend this book, and I can't wait to read what Autumn Allen writes next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story has dual timelines featuring Kevin who is in college in 1968 and Gibran who is in college in 1995. Both characters have to deal with racism during their timeframes. In 1968, Kevin is protesting after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. In 1995, Gibran is dealing with the outrage after the Million Man March. The big lesson of learning in the 30 year gap of time racism still exists. The author does a great job of showing each character point of view during their timeframe. I enjoyed reading this book and loved the flow of the POVs and timeline changes.

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Kokila, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 stars! This is one of those stories that teaches you something. Was this the strongest story ever written? No. But it was an important story and there's a power in that. I would strongly recommend this story for any youth or anyone who wants to learn how to uplift these important voices.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This historical fiction YA book was hard to put down.  While being invested in the characters and learning about the historical climate from an intimate account, I could feel my mind growing and my understanding deepening. The phenomenal writing quality, and the connection between the two fictional characters from two different times rooted in reality, allowed this thought provoking book to burrow into my mind, and makes me suggest it to high school English teachers to read with their students for a novel study.  Add in that the author is Muslim and that there is inclusion of side Muslim characters, makes me really really love this 432 page book.

SYNOPSIS:

Told from two perspectives: Gibran is a high school senior in 1995 at a prestigious New England, majority white prep school.  Being aware of the efforts his mother has made for him to have the opportunities he does, the incredibly bright boy isn't content to sit back and let injustices go unchecked.  As he understands his position in his school, and perhaps in the world, he pushes to change how the system views him and on the cusp of the Million Man March he starts to get restless when others don't support his efforts.

Kevin is at Columbia University in New York City in the wake of the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination.  While the country pays service to the civil rights leader Kevin is witnessing the injustices at Columbia, and begins to question what his enrollment at the institution means and the hypocrisy it supports.  He also reflects back on choices his own family has made and what he would like his future to look like when opportunities to protest arise.

Kevin is Gibran's uncle and their parallels show how little has changed in America.  The fears of the family, the institutionalized racism, the helplessness of a broken system.  The desire for two young men coming of age to decide for themselves where they belong, who they are, and what they are capable of in a world that wants to take that freedom away from them.

WHY I LIKE IT:

The power of this book is incredible, truly.  I really don't have words.  I do have words about the side Muslim characters though.  Gibran's sister is a hijab wearing convert and is respected and accepted by the family.  Kevin's cousin and activist is also a convert and a powerful influence on the main character.  There are mentions of Muslims praying, and salams are given.  The book was beneficial to read, the Muslim characters and knowing that the author is Muslim, and reading the phrase, "In the Name of God the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful" before the dedication was just extra amplification of voices that this story brought to light.

FLAGS: 

Racism, violence, police violence, incarceration, hatred, drugs, alcohol, sneaking out, partying, lying, stealing, segregation, oppression, language.  The reality of the situations discussed is not PG, but the book does not sensationalize anything for the sake of shock, it is rooted in reality and a YA audience will grasp that.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

Teachers, librarians, parents, teens: read this book.  Think about what you are reading, discuss what happened, what you understand, and how it makes you feel.

This book was excellent. Because of the authors excellent writing I was able to understand the perspectives of black people a lot more. Very educational and very enjoyable.

*All You Have To Do is beautiful, powerful, and thought-provoking
*if you're going to read one YA debut this year, make it this one, for real
*I really didn't expect much but I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was.
*I didn't really know where it was going in the beginning, but it nicely set up the two protagonists and their separate but intertwined settings and characters.
*both protags have arcs and captivating plotlines. sometimes dual POV can drag with certain characters, this was not the case here.
*I haven't read a book that made me feel like I learned something in a while, and AYHTD taught me a lot
*there are just so many important conversations here and for once I agreed with a lot of it.
*lastly, this!!!! is the Black + Muslim rep we - as in, real live Black + Muslim people - are looking for. take notes, folks. (neither protagonist is Muslim but the Muslim side characters are just really great and I'd gladly read an entire book about either of them.)

This is a powerful, well written book told in dual timelines, tying the perspectives of the characters together, battling similar fights in two different ways.
The characters are oh so like able and I pulled for them all the way.
It is 1968 and Kevin is protesting in the wake of Martin Luther King’s assassination at his Ivy League college. It is 1995 and Gibran, in the subject of the Million Man March, is challenging his fancy prep school’s racist color blind attitudes and advocating for himself and his fellow Black students. The school supports every other field trip so why not this one?
I definitely recommend this heartfelt YA novel by Autumn Allen.