So many interesting issues and how they come up in middle school.

Shayla gets nervous even thinking about trouble, and so she does her best to follow all the rules. But seventh grade brings a lot of complications involving friendships, boys, and the casual racism she feels all around her. Her two best friends and she have been the United Nations (because she's Black, Isabella is Hispanic, and Julia is Asian) since forever, but now it seems that Julia prefers to be with her Asian friends, Isabella is attracting the attention of the boy Shayla likes, and Shayla is feeling disapproval from some of her classmates - and her sister - for not having any Black friends. All of this is framed by the news story she and her family are following about the trial of a cop who shot a Black man. When the cop is found not guilty, Shayla faces her discomfort with getting into trouble and vows to stir up the good kind.

This middle grade novel would be a great way to ease younger kiddos into thinking about issues of race. It doesn't sugar-coat anything, but it manages to discuss the issues in a medium-stakes kind of way; think The Hate U Give lite. ( )

So nuanced and sensitive, this book successfully takes on issues facing people of all ages. As an adult, I can see all the lessons hidden in every corner of this junior high school story. I'll be recommending this to everyone! ( )

12 yo starting junior high, trying to understand and navigate racial tension -- both in her own identity and the wider stages of family and classrooms. Her friendships from elementary school are stressed and changing. Her sister is an activist, highly involved in Black Lives Matter protests. Shayla is more interested in the new world of boys and crushes and in avoiding trouble.

Things I loved: vivid, believable characters (seriously, always my number 1 draw to a book). Shayla's story feels unique to her and at the same time offers a lot of space for others to empathize. I love Shayla's burgeoning interest in track, her mother's explanations for what is happening with Black Lives Matter, her two best friends from different backgrounds (they refer to themselves as the United Nations) and her new friendships.

There's a lot in here about jealousy and boys and crushes, so if that isn't your jam, it may not be for you. There's also a ton about not judging people until you know them better and about standing up for yourself and creating community. Spectacular for Tweens -- it's all about figuring out what you care about and how you are going to represent that. ( )

A book that you can’t put down once you start. Such a powerful message. This book is an inspirational story of how our youth are affected by the racial injustice going on in this country and how our youth have a voice that needs to be heard. ( )