This is My America by Kim Johnson (#58 in 2020)
Thank you to @getunderlined and @kcjohnson for my advanced review copy - PUB DATE: 7/28/2020 Tracy Beaumont, a 17 year old from Texas, has a father who is on death row for a crime he didn't commit. On a weekly basis, Tracy writes letters to Innocence X, a legal organization that seeks to help wrongly convicted individuals (similar to The Innocence Project). When Tracy's older brother is on the run, having been accused of killing a white girl from their school, she becomes even more intensely focused on getting justice for her family in the face of racism. Part of the story is told in epistolatory style with Tracy's letters to Innocence X, and the rest is told from Tracy's point of view as she navigates the intricacies of the justice system and how racial prejudices play a role in how her family and community are unfairly targeted. As if I wasn't already gutted from current events, this book took me deeper. For teachers: This is a MUST for your classroom. This is My America has a similar feel to books from Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, and Jason Reynolds. The characters are well rounded and gradually reveal more and more of what lies beneath the surface of what we *think* we know as a society. It presents the topic of racism in a "put yourself in someone else's shoes" sort of way and will absolutely find its way onto my classroom shelves. Pre-order this one NOW and get it on your shelf for the 2020-2021 school year. For parents: Kim Johnson does a phenomenal job at making Tracy's story both relatable and approachable. The story, itself, could be understood by both middle and high school students, and deeper meaning can be extracted as the age increases. Rather than attracting young adult readers with gimmicks such as curse words or sexual content (just a little kissing here and there), Johnson develops likable characters and uses social injustice to draw her readers in.
At the end, in her author's note, Johnson writes:
"Knowledge (and representation) is power, and I truly believe movements are made by the next generation. The legacy of racism runs deep in our society, but we can stop the cycle if we all are involved. We can let the world know enough is enough. You can make a difference. Your voice matters. Demand justice and equality."
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