First off I would like to thank Netgally and the publishers for giving the opportunity to read and review This Thing of Ours. Secondly bravo to Frederick Joseph for writing a masterful take on whats going on in schools when it comes to black authors and the literature in schools.

Story/ Character's: This coming of age story of a boy learning that life isnt fair sometimes but that doesn't mean you give up on yourself. I loved the fact that is hits so close to home when it comes to reading books that some folks feel are woke or DEI. The plot for the writing class was predictable but it was also well done for a young adult take. The Main characters coming of age story definitely hit the heart strings and made me realize that just because you come for money doesn't mean your life is perfect. As a minority we all have or journeys and Ossie, Luis and Naima was well worth the read. Luis's story as so heart breaking and i really feel in love with his character.

Audio: The narration brought the story to life and gave the story some teeth.

This read is important and timely for young adults and for older readers like myself. The novel made me angry, sad, but also was very enlightening-to the hate we live in present day because people decide to be willfully ignorant, ashamed of history that will never be erased no matter how many books they ban.

This was a great and timely books. I thought the pacing was really well done, especially with the topics it touched on. DEI, book-banning, class difference, racism, homophobia… you name it, it was in the book, but It didn’t feel jam packed or rushed. Ossie was a really likeable character. He was the star athlete but a career ending injury derailed his journey. I really appreciated how open minded he was to a new path along the way. His friend with Naima and Luis (might be spelling those wrong bc I listened to the audio lol) was great. Their dynamics and lifestyles were very different but their similarities with them being some of the few POC in the school and even the enjoyment of the work in the class they share brought them closer together. The story was really engaging and I was very invested!

The narration of this book was well done!!!

This book has strong diverse representation and has an important message. The main character was not my favorite at the beginning but his growth throughout the story drew me in and getting his back story explained so much. I hope that teens give this book a read or listen because it's so powerful. It's very reminiscent of how timely and powerful The Hate U Give was when it came out (and still definitely is powerful and important).
The narrator of the audiobook did an amazing job. His inflection and tone were perfect for this story and drew me in to listening!

I thought the story was an interesting twist on a formula that can feel a bit cliche. Black working class student goes to private school mainly full of rich white kids. I enjoyed that Ossie was interested in writing and literature, and that he was supported to develop his skills in this area.

My main issue was with how the book was written. The character interactions were fine. But a lot of the description felt over the top and like very flowery language was being used to pad out the novel. I got tired. Not of the plot but of the writing style, and it detracted from my enjoyment of the book.

I also felt like some of the reactions were made out to be way more intense than they were. Book banning is a very real thing that we're seeing in the UK as well, but there was something about the way the characters spoke that felt off. This also happened in the reverse as well, with everyone being extremely eloquent about prejudice and exclusion all of the time. It felt like a caricature of what social justice spaces are expected to be, rather than what they often are.

Having said all that, I hope this is a book where teens will see themselves reflected, and I think it's important that there are novels that talk about the current political climate.

This is an important and timely read. While it was a bit slow to start, things really started to pick up. I appreciated the character growth of Ossie, and I loved his friends, and their passion for trying to make a change at their school, even with everything being thrown at them. I found myself rolling my eyes at some of Ossie's decisions, but had to remember his heart was in the right place. This book made me angry, sad, and surprised me (especially with Luis's parents' speech at the end). One thing that I kind of wished was that the book would speak more about Ossie's basketball career, and how he was healing from his injury. I feel like he just kind of threw everything to the side and didn't even want to try to play again (but maybe that was the point, because it seems like a very teenager thing to do). I loved the scenes with Luis and Naima, and Grandma Alice. The scenes of her Sunday night dinners felt warm and magical. This was a solid read, and I think many teens can relate to not only the challenges of growing up, but the challenges of classism and racism. I would definitely recommend this to the teens I work with.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars.

This was a beautifully crafted YA novel and coming of age story. Earlier this year I saw Frederick Joseph on a panel at Queers & Quills and immediately knew I had to add his books to my never ending TBR. His story telling is rich and just so engrossing as a reader. I listened to this book which only added to the story and feeling the emotions that Ossie was going through.

This story centers around Ossie adjusting and figuring out himself after a career ending ACL injury destroys his ability to continue playing basketball. As a Black teen who was is on a scholarship at a rich predominantly white high school, he is figuring out his voice and his skills as a writer. He finds a great teacher to help future his budding writing career and two amazing friends who appreciate him for who he is and not his past as a basketball player.

This book just sucks you in. There is a pivotal moment in the book where Ossie is working through a decision that we as the reader know won't go the way he planned and I had to stop myself from yelling 'No Ossie!' In public. Needless to say, I'm very excited to read more from this author and will be seeking out other books by this narrator.

The only small fault I had with it was the pacing felt a little off. The beginning is slow and a lot of build up and the end is the complete opposite. I feel like if it had just been slightly longer, the pacing would have felt better.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook of This Thing of Ours for my honest review.

1st pov/5 stars out of 5 stars.

Ossie Brown is a basketball superstar at Braxton Academy. He is on track to play basketball at a higher level but then a horrible accident happens his junior year making everything change in an instant. He tears his ACL and his doctor tells him that he might never play ball again. Ossie is devastated because he wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps and play ball. He is just trying to figure out where he fits into his school when Ms Hunt suggest he applies to a creative writing program. He gets accepted, and he writes pieces about work trying to find his voice. But when a few white students complain about Ms. Hunt's book choices. It sets off a series of events that make Ossie and his friends fear for their safety.

Community. Love. Powerful.

This book is a must read or listen.

So I did have trouble connecting to this book but it was a completely “me thing” as I think I just got burnt out on books that send a message and should have read a few fluffier books before consuming this. Why mention it? Just in case someone else is in the same boat.

The book takes a fiction dive into so many things that are relevant right now with race, class and society as a whole and it’s expertly handled. So many books these days are from the womens perspective so it was refreshing to have a male protagonist from a male author. This book is perfect for summer reading or books to tackling sure the school year since it has a lot of education to impart while having a story that can resonate with young readers.

I consumed the audiobook which was fine but I do think that I would have enjoyed it better in physical form. It was narrated by Ruffin Prentiss who was fine, as long as you speed it up. It was recorded painfully slow. Much slower than the typical speaking speed. It took away from the prose. I sped it up to 2x speed and it was more of a swift typical speaking pace.

The book comes out today July 8th so get your copy now, partially parents and teachers as it’s the book your teen should read.

I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC or eARC from through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.

⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as so don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again.

this is a powerful story about friendship, grief, and finding your way after loss. frederick joseph does a great job showing what it’s like to grow up while dealing with real pain, especially as a young black teen. this book is important because it reminds readers that healing isn’t always easy, but having people in your corner makes all the difference.