Author: Randi Pink
Publication Date: 12 January 2021
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Page Count: 304
Reading Method: Digital ARC
Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Wilson is, on the surface, a town troublemaker, but is hiding that he is an avid reader and secret poet, never leaving home without his journal. A passionate follower of W.E.B. Du Bois, he believes that black people should rise up to claim their place as equals.
Sixteen-year-old Angel Hill is a loner, mostly disregarded by her peers as a goody-goody. Her father is dying, and her family’s financial situation is in turmoil. Also, as a loyal follower of Booker T. Washington, she believes, through education and tolerance, that black people should rise slowly and without forced conflict.
Though they’ve attended the same schools, Isaiah never noticed Angel as anything but a dorky, Bible toting church girl. Then their English teacher offers them a job on her mobile library, a three-wheel, two-seater bike. Angel can’t turn down the money and Isaiah is soon eager to be in such close quarters with Angel every afternoon.
But life changes on May 31, 1921 when a vicious white mob storms the community of Greenwood, leaving the town destroyed and thousands of residents displaced. Only then, Isaiah, Angel, and their peers realize who their real enemies are.
Review:
I don’t think I possess the words to adequately describe what this book did to me, but I’m going to try. This book punched me right in the gut and made me feel a full spectrum of emotions.
The story is told (mainly) from two perspectives: Isaiah and Angel. Angel feels she was put on this earth to be compassionate, forgiving, and most importantly, to take care of others. She is so selfless and caring though she is losing her father and her family is struggling. Isaiah is a bit of handful, and there were several times I wanted to shake him a little bit for his actions, but underneath his tough exterior is a boy willing to fight for what’s right.
The first approximately 80% of this focuses largely on Angel and Isaiah’s relationship and it’s development. They are tasked to work together over the summer distributing books, operating as a mobile library. Though it still felt a little bit like instant love, I was rooting for them to be together. They offered each other a nice balance, and challenged each other to see other perspectives than their own.
The last 20% of the book absolutely wrecked me. This is the part where I just don’t have the words to adequately articulate my feelings. The book ends with the Greenwood Massacre that took place on May 31 – June 1, 1921. This section was absolutely terrifying and heartbreaking. I had to read the entire thing through tears. There is insurmountable loss, redemption, and strength of character. Though this portion covers the atrocious acts that took place during the Greenwood Massacre, Pink ends on a note of hope.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Though this is a work of fiction, it is absolutely real. Pink does an excellent job of weaving fiction with historical fact and her writing is gripping. I urge you to do your own research into the Greenwood Massacre. Pink has been doing a series on her Instagram highlighting Black towns, I’d highly recommend you check it out.
