A 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor book, and recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature. In this New York Times bestselling novel, two teens—one black, one white—grapple with the repercussions of a single violent act that leaves their school, their community, and, ultimately, the country bitterly divided by racial tension. A bag of chips. That’s all sixteen-year-old Rashad is looking for at the corner bodega. What he finds instead is a fist-happy cop, Paul Galluzzo, who mistakes Rashad for a shoplifter, mistakes Rashad’s pleadings that he’s stolen nothing for belligerence, mistakes Rashad’s resistance to leave the bodega as resisting arrest, mistakes Rashad’s every flinch at every punch the cop throws as further resistance and refusal to STAY STILL as ordered. But how can you stay still when someone is pounding your face into the concrete pavement? There were witnesses: Quinn Collins—a varsity basketball player and Rashad’s classmate who has been raised by Paul since his own father died in Afghanistan—and a video camera. Soon the beating is all over the news and Paul is getting threatened with accusations of prejudice and racial brutality. Quinn refuses to believe that the man who has basically been his savior could possibly be guilty. But then Rashad is absent. And absent again. And again. And the basketball team—half of whom are Rashad’s best friends—start to take sides. As does the school. And the town. Simmering tensions threaten to explode as Rashad and Quinn are forced to face decisions and consequences they had never considered before. Written in tandem by two award-winning authors, this four-starred reviewed tour de force shares the alternating perspectives of Rashad and Quinn as the complications from that single violent moment, the type taken directly from today’s headlines, unfold and reverberate to highlight an unwelcome truth.
Average Rating
Informations
About the author
Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely
Author
All American Boys
by Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely
Books Like All American Boys
If you're looking for books similar to All American Boys, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Hate U Give
Angie Thomas
A powerful novel about a teenage girl who witnesses her friend's shooting by a police officer. The book explores racial tensions, systemic racism, and the impact of police violence on a community. Like 'All American Boys', it confronts issues of racial injustice and police brutality through the perspective of young protagonists.
Long Way Down
Jason Reynolds
A powerful novel in verse about a teenager contemplating revenge after his brother's murder. The book explores cycles of violence, grief, and moral choices. Written by one of 'All American Boys' authors, it offers a profound examination of youth experiences.
Dear Martin
Nic Stone
A young black student grapples with racial profiling and systemic racism after a traumatic encounter with law enforcement. The novel follows his journey of understanding racial dynamics through letters to Martin Luther King Jr. It shares similar themes of racial tension and personal growth with 'All American Boys'.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
A young adult adaptation of a groundbreaking book about racism in America. The book provides historical context for systemic racism and youth empowerment. It complements 'All American Boys' by offering deeper understanding of racial dynamics.
Ghost
Jason Reynolds
Part of the Track series, this novel follows Castle 'Ghost' Cranshaw, a young runner dealing with trauma and finding his place. Written by one of 'All American Boys' authors, it explores youth resilience and personal growth. The book offers a nuanced look at young black male experience.
Punching the Air
Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
A novel in verse about a young artist wrongfully incarcerated. The book explores systemic racism, justice, and personal resilience. It mirrors 'All American Boys' in its examination of racial injustice.
Monster
Walter Dean Myers
A powerful story about a teenage boy on trial for murder, exploring themes of justice, race, and perception. The narrative is told through screenplay format and journal entries, offering a unique perspective on systemic inequalities. It addresses similar themes of racial injustice and youth experience.
American Street
Ibi Zoboi
A story about a Haitian immigrant teenager navigating complex social dynamics in Detroit. The novel explores identity, race, and belonging. It shares 'All American Boys'' themes of youth experiencing systemic challenges.
Piecing Me Together
Renée Watson
A novel about a black teenage girl navigating race, privilege, and personal identity. The story explores mentorship, social dynamics, and self-empowerment. It shares thematic similarities with 'All American Boys' in its examination of racial experiences and personal growth.
This Is My America
Kim Johnson
A novel about a teenager fighting to free her wrongfully convicted father. The book explores systemic racism and family resilience. It shares thematic elements with 'All American Boys' in its confrontation of racial injustice.
How It Went Down
Kekla Magoon
A novel about the aftermath of a black teenager's shooting, told from multiple perspectives. The book examines community response, media representation, and systemic racism. It mirrors 'All American Boys' in its exploration of racial violence and community impact.
Clean Getaway
Nic Stone
A road trip novel exploring family history, race, and generational experiences. The book offers a nuanced look at racial dynamics through a young protagonist's journey. It shares 'All American Boys'' focus on youth perspective.
Internment
Samira Ahmed
A dystopian novel about Muslim-American resistance against internment camps. The book explores themes of systemic oppression and youth activism. It shares 'All American Boys'' focus on social justice and youth perspectives.
No account connected — sign in to comment.