Lola St. Vil

Story of 14 year old Ayo who is the daughter of a famous activist mother (she runs an organisation like Black Lives Matter in Harlem).Ayo wants out from being involved in her mother’s cause; she just wants to have a normal life and have fun. After arguing with her mum, she doesn’t go to a huge rally but spends the day with her boyfriend and witnesses her mother being shot by police after the rally turns into a riot. Ayo must now cope with her mum in a coma with only a birthday scavenger hunt to inspire her to find her way back to who she is.

Mmmm. Ok, so I am white and I really did not understand a lot of the “implied” racism that Ayo and her friends were angry about. I dont live in Harlem or the US so I found it difficult to understand the anger in this book. I would love the students in my school that are of colour to read this and tell me if they feel this angry in Australia. I hope not.
I thought the author was trying to rush too much in with this at the end. Esp. The scavenger hunt bit, the shop keeper and the “happy ending” was all a bit forced and not in keeping with the gritty subject matter of racism!
Also the book alludes to sex, and there is the N word as well as other swearing.… (plus d'informations)

This is one of those rare occasions where it wouldn't sit right with me trying to interpret or sum up my feelings about a read with a star rating. Can't do it.

There are some reasons why I didn't vibe with this book, and other reasons why I understand the story all too well.

I can say, aside from the scenes that increased my appreciation for Ayo's tight circle of friends, my favorite scene is one where Rosalie protects a child (teenager) under her roof without hesitation or question—like a lioness who doesn't even have to roar in that moment to get her point across.… (plus d'informations)