All American Boys Hardcover – September 29, 2015

Jason Reynolds has written a powerful book here with a powerful message. Rashad Freeman is a young African American who has stepped into a local store to buy a snack. His trouble begins when a white lady trips over him. The store owner causes him of trying to steal and the cop in the store takes things a little too far. Rashad is beaten to the point of being hospitalized.Quinn Collins is a white boy on his way to a party with friends when he heads to the local store to get some beer. What Quinn gets is a front row seat to a young boy being beaten. The problem is that it is someone he knows and looks up to.What struck me was how the events that happened could have been ripped right out of the headlines today. As a teacher I could read how the teachers were feeling knowing they were told not to talk about it. I've been in their shoes where we've been told not to discuss certain incidents with students in the classroom. I felt like some of the teachers were told how they were supposed to feel.I was happy the way the author handled the tensions within the school and community. Awesome book everyone should read.

I enjoyed this book and I will be reading more of the Authors books. The Title made me think very carefully about my own children. I also looked back at my own life. One word came to my mind. "Grateful"

To read!! A very worthwhile read, especially at this time!!

Excellent work!

Normally this isn't my favorite genre for reads, but I am glad it was picked for September book of the month (book club stuff, ya know). I really could not put it down, I love the different points of view regarding a very deep and sensitive experience of racism and police brutality. And some hard choices were made and social losses were cut. But what kept me interested... I needed to see how they would tackle this issue. I am used to books having a more flamboyant ending but this one was realistic and I will not say that I loved the ending but I am content with the ending.

Book came an perfect condition. Very excited to read.

This book was well written from two different viewpoints. I would recommend this book to teenagers of all nationalities. I would especially recommend for high school students.

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely is a timeless, thought-provoking young adult novel about racism and police brutality in America.Rashad Butler is a Black teenager who is savagely beaten by a white cop. The circumstances are all too familiar in America today-Rashad is a young Black man doing nothing wrong and he is racially profiled by Officer Paul Galluzzo. Fellow student Quinn Collins sees the assault but since he personally knows Galluzzo, he is reluctant to become involved or report what he witnessed. It is not until a movement begins at their high school that both Rashad and Quinn begin to change and evolve as they decide what they want to do next.Alternating between Rashad's and Quinn's perspectives, we see firsthand how each of the young men grapples with the situation. Rashad's injuries are serious enough he has to remain in the hospital for several days. As tgecdsys pass, he is surprised by the different reactions of his family members. Quinn is caught between his memories of Paul guiding him through life following his father's death and Paul brutally beating his helpless classmate. Both of the young men's reactions are surprising as they figure out what they should do in the aftermath of the attack.All American Boys is an insightful novel that should be on everyone's reading list. The storyline remains all too relevant in America today. Just as happens in real life, Rashad and Quinn are faced with an important choice about their role in the aftermath of a racially charged, police brutality incident. Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely bring this incredible story to a poignant conclusion that will linger in readers' minds long after the last page is turned. HIGHLY recommend.

Dealing with a subject matter that has been at the forefront of media attention over the last twelve months due to the killing of George Floyd, this would be a great book to give a teen who wanted to read something that grapples with issues that they see in the news in a way that is approachable but also makes them think and try and understand the tensions that arise after such incidents.The book is told from the dual viewpoints of Rashad, the victim of the violent act, and Quinn, his classmate and friend of the brother of the policeman involved in the arrest. Quinn is very torn between loyalty, and the tensions that arise in his school as everyone begins to take sides. It is a very effective way to present the different perspectives on the events of the book and to see how people are pressured to taking a stand for one side or another, and how the tension spreads quickly through a community. The subject is dealt with very sensitively, and it really brought the reality of the fallout from these events home in a way that we can all relate to.The book is emotional and difficult to read in parts, but these are issues that need to be brought into the open and discussed in the light, even if that makes us uncomfortable, so I would highly recommend this as a book you can give to young people in your life as a way of introducing them to the topic and giving you a jumping off point for discussion. I am certainly going to be encouraging my teenage daughters to read it as another step in the conversations I have already had with them following the events of the last twelve months.The writing between the two authors is seamless, you wouldn’t know it was co-authored if you hadn’t been told, but I am sure the input of both made this book the balanced and considered telling of the story that it is. A great and important read, especially for the young adults it is aimed at.

All American Boys is a YA novel with beautiful depth and emotive themes. The authors have cleverly crafted the novel; so that you are given the opportunity to understand both the narratives of Rashad and Quinn. Rashad and Quinn come from entirely different backgrounds, upbringings and circumstances. But can they be united by their common belief in humanity?The novel opens with Rashad and his backstory is slowly expanded upon. We learn that he is being pressured into a military career by his father. Rashad’s father has served as both a former soldier and former cop. When Rashad becomes the victim of police brutality that is largely based upon his race; it shakes the family to its very foundations.Rashad attends Springfield Central High School, he also regularly attends junior reserve officer training corps (ROTC) to please his father. Upon leaving ROTC he enters Jerry’s a local shop that is known to him. There is an innocent accident, then accusations are thrown and before anyone can attempt to open a dialogue. Rashad finds himself cuffed and being beaten.‘I just wanted him to stop beating me. I just wanted to live’ – RashadThe police officer in question maintains that a HANDCUFFED teenage was ‘resisting’. But it is only later, when we discover the full extent of Rashad’s injuries, we learn this was a violent assault on an innocent teen.‘My brain exploded into a million thoughts and only one thought at the same time -Pleasedon’tkill me’ – RashadQuinn is then introduced into the novel. He is a young man living with his widowed mother Mia and brother Willy. His father died in Afghan, due to an IED attack. What we learn from Quinn’s internal thoughts is that Quinn was present that day at Jerry’s, he witnessed the brutal assault and fled. Will he now have the courage to stand up for what is right?The dilemma within the novel, is that Quinn is good friends with the police officer that delivered the violent beating. To Quinn he is a father figure, and this forces Quinn to question everything he has ever known about Paul. Did Paul really assault Rashad due to his race? Was the assault racially motivated?Rashad is slowly recovering in hospital. He must deal with a father that blames him for the assault and a brother hellbent on fighting the injustice. Then mobile phone footage of the assault is released online. Suddenly Rashad’s assault has gone viral and the world wants answers. . .‘I didn’t deserve this. None of us did. None of us’ – RashadSoon there is a graffiti tag ‘Rashad is absent again today’ and #RashadIsAbsentAgainToday is trending. Kids begin to speak up about racial injustice and question their own internal prejudices. None more so than Quinn.When Quinn attend the Galluzzo family BBQ, he over hears some comments that leave him emotionally troubled. Quinn fears exposure as a witness to the assault. He fears that others will know he witnessed an attack and fled. Is Quinn part of the problem?The novel forces you to see the world through both boy’s eyes. Obviously, we build an emotional response to Rashad’s experience. But we also begin to question and speculate what Quinn will do. It is very cleverly structured, and I think perfect for young teens in education settings.I can’t fully get across how I feel about this novel in text. But it made me think about what I teach my kids. That it is important to educate them not just on injustice, but HOW they should respond in certain situations. As a mother I really felt for Rashad’s situation, you desperately want to reach through the pages and help him. But realistically what Rashad needs, is to learn to come to terms with his experience in his own time.Emotive, moving and intelligently written. 5* Genius

really enjoyed this book.it is about two characters and relates to racism one who experiences itand another who observes it. it is a interesting dive into the experiencesof different individuals and how they make the choices they make.it was interesting to see the struggle of one character who saw the racism andstruggled to understand and compute what the right course of action is for himto take.all in all it is really enjoyable.

From the first sentence I was hooked.Not only a great story but a thought provoking insight into the lives of both black and white communities and how they interact. It doesn't dwell on racism solely but how individuals acts affect those around them.

My son loves the book.