If You Knew My Name

by Lisa Roberts Carter

Lisa Roberts Carter’s debut, If You Knew My Name, is a novel-in-verse telling the story of 17-year-old Mason Tyndall— an aspiring rap artist whose mother is a BLM activist. She saw fatal officer-involved shootings as senseless tragedies. He viewed them as trending hashtags — that is, until he almost became one.

Mason Zy’Aire Tyndall has big dreams. Dreams of sick beats, epic mic-drops, sold out stadiums. Mason’s going to be a rap star—and you don’t become a rap star by hitting up BLM protests with your mom or sitting at a desk. Mason wants to get out there and make a name for himself, but he’ll have to graduate high school first. And he can’t do that if he fails his senior year.

Convinced his poetry class is a waste of time, Mason’s teacher helps him see just how valuable a couplet and a rhyme can be. But when an unarmed Black man is killed by the police in his city, tensions start to rise—among the cops, the community, and even Mason’s peers. 

Caught in the middle of increasingly violent conflicts, Mason will have to find a way to use his voice for change…and fast. 

Genres: Poetry, Young Adult, Fiction, Novel In Verse, Activism, Contemporary

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2025

Reviews

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

This is such an important book that touched on many topics and showed that even teens can have knowledge, strength, and power to educate people and stand up for their beliefs. Mason is a powerful character (as was his mama!) and you can’t help but admire him.

I particularly liked the poems told in the poetry class but wished the rest of the novel had been told in regular prose instead of in verse. I struggled with the cadence of those parts and felt these weren’t didn’t smoothly flow. However, the message is still there and definitely comes through.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quickread as it was written in mostly poetry form and i loved the rhymes that alot of this novel had in it the message behind this novel was very powerful and had so many history elements and shows the history in the united states from so long ago to situations still happening and showing how we still need change. This novel follows mason who was a great lead who joins a black poetry class with other people who share stories about family members etc and themselves but also having people who joined the class to mock them and counteract opposite opinions causing tensions in the class and i loved that all of the other people didnt stand for it at all and didnt let them mess with the poetry they shared and the powerful messages. A situation with a cop happens regarding police brutality and masons mother tells mason that he needs to use his story and voice to bring awareness just reading about masons story and seeing how brave he is was amazing to read. Loved the friendships in this novel as well and the support mason had from his teacher and peers. An important read.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC!

[Danielle | daniellereadslikealot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the best novel in verse I’ve ever read. The sheer lyricism and poetry completely blew me away. So much so that it is hard to believe that this is a debut novel. I’ll bet it’s amazing on audio, but it was so easy to find the rhythm in these words in my head with an e-copy. There are so many topics covered in these pages that need to be heard like cultural appropriation, racism, white guilt, colonialism and police brutality. It is heartbreaking to read at times because it is so brutal and infuriating, but so necessary to get the point across. Mason was such an amazingly written character and I loved his connection with words and also his relationship with his mother. I think this would be an excellent addition to a high school classroom. I can’t say enough good things about this book and I can’t wait until its release day so everyone else can be in awe of it too.
CW: mentions of slavery, murder, shootings, death, police brutality


Thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Dr. des. Siobhán · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*

Carter's novel is written in poetry form, which is fitting given its content. It's about a young Black man taking a poetry class and discussing all things Black Lives Matter but also struggling with classmates, the political climate in the US and ultimately finishing school / growing up. The spoken word / poetry slam vibes are strong and I enjoyed how poems from other classmates were also part of the narrative. The discussion of BLM but also Critical Race Theory and racism in general was very approachable and befitting the form of the narrative.

5 stars

[Roslyn Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A debut novel that written in verse, telling the story of 17 year old Mason Tyndall, an aspiring rap artist whose mother is a BLM activist.

He wants to become a rapper and make it big one day. Focusing on dropping rhymes and making beats. That is until he comes across a BLACK poetry class in school. He’s about to graduate and needs this class to pass. But little does know, that this class will not only help him become a better rapper, but also an activist.

I love that this book is written with so much rawness. It touches topics on racism, not only within the black community but also immigrants and people of color.
Within the poetry class , these topics are touched within the students. Different cultures come together and it’s not all pretty. Yes there is Black power radiating through the class, but there’s also White supremacy.

I found that so much of what was talked about in this book, is still relating to today, not just within the black community but with others.

This debut novel was so powerful. Police brutality is unfortunately a thing that is still very common and it sucks so bad but I love that the community came together to protest and be the voices for those who were silenced. Awesome book.

Thank you to netgalley for this ARC.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Central Avenue and NetGalley for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book releases on May 28,2024. I think verse was a great way to convey this message and to get across what this character represents/stands for. I greatly enjoyed reading this unique perspective on BLM, police violence, racial disparity, the current day effects of slavery, among other essential topics. This book is as timely as ever and is one that should be added to "must read" lists for everyone. I did notice the formatting of some of the novel was off on my kindle which did skew the reading experience a bit and make it confusing at times, though this is something that could be resolved when the book is fully released.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Central Avenue Publishing, and Lisa Roberts Carter for the opportunity to read If You Knew My Name in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is told in a poetic verse style with every line carrying a fun rhythm and beat. The language and style is definitely something the author put a lot of thought into to execute the presentation of Mason's talent and story.

Mason would love to be a famous rapper. In the meantime, he enjoys rap battles and writing for his Black Poetry Class. The setup of the novel explores some of the different events that have triggerend and built up the Black Lives Matter movement. Mason, being black himself, doesn't want to become just another hashtag, like all the other victims, especially of police brutality.

When a local black man is killed by police in Mason's own city, the fear becomes even closer than he ever thought possible. Caught up in a school riot that he wasn't a part of, the police pin him out and he has that momentary fear that he will be just another hashtag. Through his own experiences, what he knows about the Black Lives Matter movement and police brutality, and through his mothers experiences, Mason knows he must use his voice to speak for justice. But will people listen if they hear his full name first and maje judgements and assumptions before he can share his voice?

A thoroughly powerful novel that touches on some of the black people who were killed by police, the people meant to be protectors. There are many I hasn't heard of, and it was enough to investigate and look them up to know their face, their history, and not just their names.

Mason is a powerful character who uses his aspiration of performing rap to pass his Black Poetry Class. The skills he learns are life skills that can be applied to using his voice to fight for justice. The message here is very clear about not only finding one's voice, but making the choice to act. A must-read for contemporary teen readers.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley. This does not influence my opinion.

This was a really well-written and important read.
I feel like everyone can take away many lessons from this novel in verse and learn a lot from it. It shows the conversations we should be having in school (across all countries, racism and anti-blackness isn’t just a problem in the USA!) and honestly across all communities.
This novel is a prime example in how education can further acceptance and how important it is to not erase history, but talk about all of it. It also shows how even if you know you’ll never fully understand what a marginalized community is going through (when you’re not a part of it), standing with them and amplifying their voices can make a huge difference. I hope people will learn from this.
There are many important conversations in the Black Poetry class that this book is centered on, but also outside of it, especially about white privilege, and the lived reality of People of Color.
In the beginning of the book, I didn’t like the way Mason talked about girls and women, but he grew a lot through the course of his senior year and comparing his attitudes from the beginning to those in the end, you can really see the (positive) change, not only in regard to the way he talks to and about women.
The writing itself is mostly rhythmic, especially the rap lyrics/rap parts, but some (only some!) of the poems outside of it read more than hacked up sentences without any rhythm.

All in all this was a great novel in verse that I highly recommend.

[Sassy Sarah Reads]

DNF @ 72 pages

I hope to come back to this book one day because I was enjoying it, but there were parts introduced that I wasn't interested in so decided to put it down for now. I will try to pick this one up again in the future.

[Pooj · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the story of Mason as he navigates the increasing police brutality against black people during the pandemic. I really enjoyed how it was written in poems as opposed to a normal novel format. It really added to the message and felt supremely powerful.

[Dani Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me this eArc in exchange for an open and honest review.

Im not normally one for novels written in verse but I’m glad I tried this one. I really enjoyed the story and I enjoyed getting to see another side to the Black experience. I say that as someone who has not experienced it personally, and while the topics mentioned make me sad at the state this country has always been in, it gives me another piece to try to understand a life I have never lived.

I enjoyed watching Mason get to see how important the topic is, though I hated seeing the situation that got him there. I enjoyed Ms. Jordan, and while I did think it was odd to see her teach a class that is distinctly labeled Black Poetry, I really liked seeing her make an effort to give Black voices a space to express themselves without judgement or condemnation.

All of the side characters felt fleshed out enough to get the point across, in a written style that doesn’t lend itself to more detailed explorations that standard novel style books do. I liked seeing all the differences in opinion, and how they challenged each other during every class.

This story definitely opened me up to thoughts and conversations I hadn’t previously had, and I would definitely be interested in more by this author.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderfully original novel about Black Lives Matter and racism in America and how one student’s life is directly affected by police brutality. The story is without a doubt important and would be a fantastic addition to secondary school reading lists. Its poetic style was refreshing and I was blown away by the hard facts of racism in this day and age.
Although the story starts (& ends) with Mason, I felt that he was lost in the middle part of the book, and that, for me, was a shame. At times the styling of the prose is difficult to keep up with, but the message is powerful and needs to be heard.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel, akin to the style of the Iliad and Odyssey, was a quick, poetic read with a powerful message. It weaves contemporary conflicts into the narrative through the eyes of Mason (a protagonist that is so relatable he could be my son, brother, or friend). A beautifully written, resonant book.

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

If You Knew My Name is a hard-hitting YA Novel about a young man going through a horrific event. Mason starts his senior year on a brand-new high to fall to his lowest depths. Forced into a class he doesn't want to be in and stuck in an event he's only ever read about. The only answer he has is to rap his way to justice. Which on paper sounds kind of crazy but it works really well with Carter writing here. Most of what Carter does is spectacular especially for the age range they are trying to reach.

However, a book like this does come with it faults. Most of the characters come off as flat or trying too hard. This is a problem I find in most YA now-a-days. With a story like this that made me cry really early into it I had higher hope. Every subject - which there is a lot - is talked about beautifully for the most part. It brings up important questions that I feel like most High Schoolers should be asking. And situation that are sadly too real.

I landed on a 3.5⭐'s. But couldn't recommend more.

[Lili Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how most of this book was filled with amazing beats and rhymes!

Notable lines (or rhymes):

“‘Rap is poetry about the ups and downs,’” she says. “‘The highs and lows / the woes / of life.’”

“It is MY HISTORY. / It is mine to embrace and not yours to erase.”

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC!

[lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley

This book was so worth the read it's wrote as if your reading a book of poems. But it's such a strong and relatable book the characters make resonate with them as well as this book sending out such a powerful and heart wrenching message. It was beautifully written it had me crying in a good way.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I honestly don't recall the last time I read a novel in verse, but I'm glad I broke that spell with this powerful debut!

Mason Zy'Aire Tyndall is a high school senior who has two goals: hone his battle rap skills to better fit the "Legend" moniker he's working on and find a cute girl to couple up with so he doesn't look like a loser in his final year of school. Which might not be his final year if he doesn't choose and pass one more elective. His guidance counsellor Ms Franklin encourages him to take a Black Poetry class, which he scoffs at because he's a rapper not a poet. She rightfully laughs at his teenage ridiculousness and gets him to sign up for it anyway.

Black Poetry class is not what he expected. For starters, their teacher, Ms Jordan, is white. Rumor has it that her husband didn't mind when she wanted to adopt a Black child but drew the line at moving to a Black neighborhood, so left her. More concerningly tho is the presence of several classmates Mason did not expect. While his school is large and diverse, the last people Mason expects to see in a Black Poetry class are white people openly hostile to Black honesty.

But as class progresses and Ms Jordan gets them all to speak up and be heard, what looks like the basis for a healthy dialog is tentatively established. That all changes when a large-scale fight breaks out at school. Mason knows better than to get involved in what's soon termed a "riot", but when a cop stops him at the park later on, accusing him of being a riot instigator, his Black Lives Matter activist mom's worst nightmares look dangerously close to coming true.

I legit cried during the poems when Mason had that encounter with the cop. It's still shocking to me that anyone could think that America doesn't have a racism problem, but That Fucking Guy is in office, so clearly our racism is a feature not a bug for far too many voters. Lisa Roberts Carter addresses this in her terrific debut, which has no problem making things uncomfortable for readers as she succinctly brings up all the arguments that raged through President Biden's term regarding BLM and Critical Race Theory and immigration. She's not both-sides-ing things tho: it's very clear that the point of bringing all these arguments into the light is to show how specious the ones in favor of racism are, especially in the face of the eloquent rebuttals included here.

Not all the poems stick the landing: some would definitely sound better with a person to say them aloud instead of just having them on the page. While I was moved and drawn in by plenty of the verses here, I was surprised at how underwhelmed I was by the words Mason's mom had for the school board, for example. Overall, however, this was a smart, nuanced and incisive look at the state of race relations in the US in the early 2020s, presented in a very accessible manner, and one that I'm hoping is more widely read.

If You Knew My Name by Lisa Roberts Carter was published May 28 2024 by Central Avenue and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!

This review originally appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If You Knew My Name" by Lisa Roberts Carter is a powerful YA novel written in verse that focuses on themes of identity, social justice, and the Black Lives Matter movement. This is such an important book, and I absolutely loved how beautiful and unique the poetry writing was throughout the book.

Set in the backdrop of a Black poetry class, the book follows Mason, a young man with aspirations of becoming a rapper. Through Mason's eyes and beautiful verse, you are taken on a journey that explores the complexities of race, privilege, and systemic injustice in modern-day America.

Carter's skillful use of poetry not only adds a lyrical quality to the story but also allows for a deeper exploration of Mason's inner thoughts and emotions. I felt like I was really able to connect with Mason and his perspective despite the differences between us. I think teenage readers would really be able to connect with Mason as well as the themes presented in the story. The verses themselves resonate with rhythm and beat, capturing the essence of Mason's passion for music and his struggle to find his voice in a society plagued by racial prejudice.

One of the book's strengths (besides the verses) lies in its portrayal of Mason's growth and resilience in the face of adversity. As he grapples with the realities of police brutality and systemic racism, Mason learns the importance of using his voice to advocate for justice and change. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking out against injustice and standing up for what is right. Again, I think this book would work really well with teenage readers and may even serve as an excellent book to use in the high school English classroom.

Additionally, Carter skillfully weaves in discussions of important social issues, including cultural appropriation, white guilt, and colonialism, shedding light on the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized communities. Through Mason's experiences and interactions with his classmates, you gain insight into the complexities of race relations in America and the urgent need for societal change. These are such important topics that aren’t often touched upon in contemporary literature, and I love how YA authors are finding their voices in these topics in order for teenage readers to learn more about these topics and perspectives.

Overall, "If You Knew My Name" is a timely and thought-provoking read that offers a compelling exploration of race, identity, and activism in contemporary society.

[Katerina Karavapori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book and am having a hard time accepting the fact that Mason, the main character, is not a real person. He's absolutely brilliant. This is not an easy or fun read for that matter. It's more of a punch to the gut. But boy, oh boy, is it an essential read. The fact that it's verse makes me hopeful that it will reach even the most reluctant of readers.

The way Lisa Roberts Carter brings all these hot topics on the table and just leaves us to reflect on them is nothing short of masterful. I haven't read a young person's perspective in a more realistic and relatable way. When we are far away from what's happening in the world, it's so easy to switch off and push it to the far corners of our minds. But with this story, there is nowhere to hide. These are real people, real names, real stories. And a heavy burden comes with being a person of colour in America but also other parts of the world.

If when we're reading we are seeking to connect with other people's lived experience and to develop our understanding of what it means to be human, this book will make you understand, it will make you connect and it will break your heart as you're faced with the great injustices of the world and the reality of how a huge part of the population live.

I could go on for pages and pages. But for me, ultimately, the takeaway is: everyone needs to read this. Absolutely brilliant.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy, all opinions are my own

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mason is entering his senior year of high school. He wants to be a rapper and often participates in rap battles. His mom is a Black Lives Matter activist. At the advice of his guidance counselor, he reluctantly signs up for a Black poetry class. When the teacher turns out to be a white woman, Mason really starts to question his decision to take the class. Even worse, several of his classmates are right-wingers with racist ideals. When Mason almost finds himself another dead Black male at the hands of police, he knows he needs to use his voice to speak out.

I really wanted to love this book. It's got representation in spades, it's written in verse, the teacher is a transracial adoptive parent - all the things I usually go for. It just didn't flow well for me. It was often difficult to tell which character's voice I was reading and it jumped around a lot. I wanted the relationships to go deeper than they did.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for a review copy of If You Knew My Name.

[Demetrica Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC through Netgalley.

This book is amazingly Written(in poem format). The whole book is poetry! Athough I did get a little antsy in the middle so i skipped ahead to the class rap battle. That when I learn I missed the school riot in which the main character,Mason, becomes a victim of police brutality. Mason is a kid who wants to be a rapper. He enters a poetry class to strengthen his lines. He is also the child of a BLM activist. Mason just assumes after your attacked by police you are JUST A HASHTAG. (The books says their names George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake, Freddie Grey, & many more! Each on has their own poem.)Until one day he could have died because of police brutality. Then he becomes an activist like his mom. He is asked to tell his story make his voice and name heard. This book may be a trigger for some such as it speaks on slavery, immigration, white supremicy, KKK, and police violence!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for sending me an advanced reader copy of IF YOU KNEW MY NAME.

Powerful, historical, and raw, this book is by far one of my favorite reads of 2024. It showcases the reality of America’s blemishes, its harshness and its misgivings. It shows the power of working as one, no matter the race or background, to unite a community that so desperately needs it. Mason’s journey through his senior year, signing up for a Black Poetry Class and trying to reach his dreams as a rapper truly allow the reader to grasp the differing views and realities of each character Mason comes in contact with. This novel is so impactful, and a dialogue is sure to strike up. The hard truths are never easy, but they are the most important to examine. Young adults and adults alike should read this book. Thank you again, especially to Lisa Robert’s Carter, for writing such an extraordinary piece of literature.

[Chris G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the start of his senior year and Mason’s got some serious rap skills so his goal is to win some rap battles and find a girlfriend. Classmate Diamond catches his interest but she’s a little too critical of the objectification in male-centric rap. Then Mason shows up for his Back Poetry elective and begins to see his rap skills in a new light. His white teacher manages to help her students navigate their disagreements about whose story history tells by requiring that they state their points of view in poetry. When Mason survives a terrifying experience of racial profiling by the police he finds a new purpose for his rhymes. This skillfully done, memorable verse novel packs in a lot of purpose as Mason grows as a person and as an artist. EARC from Edelweiss.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time a book tries to approach books like racism, BLM, police brutality, a reader has no choice but be weary, so many times do authors mess this topic up , by downplaying it, not treating this topic with respect, etc... This book, however, does none of that. Not only is beautifully written with a poetic feel to it, nut the way Carter approaches these topics is perfect. The characters feel human and not just plot devices, the narrative feels real and not simply fabricated to prove a point. Overall one of the best books about racism and BLM I've read so far!!

[Kyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars rounded up!

Not only was this novel an extremely quick read, but I also found it to be quite inspiring and empowering. In my opinion, Mason was the perfect character to lead this novel. Though I did not agree with some of the counterarguments presented by some of the side characters of the book, I enjoyed reading their takes, especially as the novel progressed. Several parts of this novel moved me deeply, making it easy to enjoy and binge-read. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoyed the Freedom Writers movie, as the setting of the Black Poetry class is quite similar.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent novel-in-verse about Mason taking a poetry class in school and giving him a voice about social justice. Mason loves rap music and when the teacher says we will write a poem about current issues, students learn poetic devices. The teacher tells the class you have the “power of choice in writing.” When the class might be canceled due to a complaint, parents and students go to a board meeting and the class is back. Mason’s teacher says you’ve made me better, and Mason realizes by using his voice and rap lyrics we “broke through barriers” and that was our legacy we left behind.

[Debbie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Reader Copy!

Mason is an aspiring rap artist, and this book is written appropriately in verse. I loved how I could hear Mason's rapping cadence while reading it. Mason is enrolled in a Black poetry class with a diverse group of students during his senior year of high school. Mason uses his artistry to advocate against police brutality is this moving debut.

[Makayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The flow of this novel is INSANE. Slap a track behind it, and it's an album like that.
One of the best novels in verse I've ever read, AND FOR A DEBUT??? I can't wait to see what Lisa Carter puts out next.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much needed story about the impacts of racism on our country today told through the eyes of teenagers in a poetry class. It is all about understanding each other’s perspective and having an open mind. Can’t wait to share this with my students.

[Sierra Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*
i found this book to have a lot of impact, the story really stood out to me. the thing i had a hard time with most of the book was the flow of writing, i found myself getting tripped up with the prose but i always do love a novel in verse.