Angie Thomas (1) (1988–)

On a completely structural, emotional and thematic level this book is untouchable. It deftly explores all of its complex topics with stunning ease and what sense I get, above all, is understanding. Coming from completely outside this issue, this book lets me in on the experience of a black person in the US better than most things before. I'd recommend this to just about anyone, but its especially important for younger readers.

I will dock points because the prose just isn't there sometimes. Dialogue is great, but everything in between is hit-or-miss. At times it feels like a movie script written in book form, which isn't painful to read but sometimes feels a little artless. A lot of telling and not showing which detracts from the experience.

Altogether high recommendations.… (plus d'informations)

Gorgeous. Incredible. Moving. Amazing. Pick your superlative. This book is a stunning piece of writing. It is both heartbreaking and (sometimes) hilarious, often in the same paragraph. This book is as much about relationships as it is police brutality. I think that's what I love the most about it; in the main, it is about the importance of maintaining relationships through the hard work of grieving. This is a modern classic, and fascists trying to ban it from schools can pound sand. It's a hard read, but a good one. Pick it up.… (plus d'informations)

After reading the YA anthology Blackout by the same group of authors, I thought I'd try Whiteout.
This one takes place in Atlanta during a snowstorm. The stories in this one seem to coalesce better than the ones in Blackout; all the couples, while working out there own issues, are working towards one common goal: to help Stevie win back Sola.

I didn't really warm up to the Stevie character: they did in fact come across as a bit cold.
Maybe these stories would ring truer to a YA audience, but I just kept thinking: so much drama over such small problems! Just talk it out, people! Communicate!

Once again, I liked the LGBTQ representation and all of the allies in all generations. There is also Muslim representation, at Christmastime no less.… (plus d'informations)