
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the weight of social injustice, systemic inequality, or the complex intersection of personal grief and public activism. It is a powerful resource for high schoolers who feel unheard by authority figures or who are navigating the physical manifestations of anxiety and panic. The story follows Moss Jeffries, a Black teen in Oakland who lost his father to police violence and now faces escalating police presence in his own school. This novel validates the intense anger young people often feel about the world while showing how that emotion can be transformed into a tool for community change. Parents should note it contains mature themes and realistic depictions of violence, making it best suited for ages 14 and up.
Realistic teenage profanity throughout.
A sweet, supportive queer relationship including kissing and affection.
Depictions of police brutality and physical altercations at school.
Police brutality and shootings, murder of a teenager, physical violence by authority figures, intense panic attacks, grief, and death of a parent.
A high schooler who feels a deep sense of righteous anger about social injustice or feels stifled by authority. It is particularly resonant for students who struggle with anxiety or PTSD and need to see that their mental health struggles do not disqualify them from being leaders or heroes.
Parents should be prepared for graphic depictions of police violence. The middle of the book contains a scene involving a school lockdown and a fatal shooting that is incredibly intense. It is best to read this alongside the teen or discuss the specific events of the protest scenes afterward. A parent hears their child express that they don't feel safe at school or witnesses their child having a panic attack triggered by news of community violence. This book is for the parent whose teen is asking why the world feels rigged against them.
Younger teens (14) will likely focus on the social dynamics and the shock of the school violence. Older teens (17 to 18) will better grasp the systemic critiques of the 'school to prison pipeline' and the complex emotional toll of being a public face for a movement.
Unlike many YA novels that focus solely on the trauma of injustice, Oshiro specifically highlights the intersection of activism and mental health. It validates that being an activist is exhausting and that it is okay to be 'not okay' while fighting for change. """
Moss Jeffries is a teenager living in the shadow of tragedy after his father was killed by police years ago. At West Oakland High, Moss and his diverse group of friends face systemic neglect and an increasingly militarized school environment. When a protest against the school's aggressive policing leads to further violence and the death of a peer, Moss must navigate his debilitating panic attacks and intense grief to lead a movement for justice.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review