The Shooting: A Memoir

by Kemp Powers

Kemp Powers was a good kid, an honors student, raised by a single mother in Brooklyn in the mid-1980s. Like many children, he lived in the sheltered world of his family and neighborhood. He was oblivious to the violence around him.

As a black teenager going to junior high in a white neighborhood, Kemp became acutely aware of the racial tension and violence bubbling up in New York (think Bernard Goetz and Howard Beach and crack cocaine). This, along with an adolescent interest in guns, changed Kemp's life forever.

In 1987, Kemp accidentally shot his best friend. His parents didn't press charges, and Kemp was forgiven by everyone, including the state of New York. But Kemp couldn't forgive himself. He thought about Henry every day and made a promise to never make a mistake again — a promise a child naively made that the adult couldn't keep.

Genres: Memoir

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2004

Reviews

[Kissa Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a great read. Within the book, it expressed themes such as violence within a community and how racism is always apart of someone's life. This book could relate to minorities and people who grew up in poorer areas where violence prevailed. Some themes in this memoir were adult and came off to0 vulgar, which as a result made me dislike some of the story chapters. Overall, the memoir was a rollercoaster. Sometimes it was sad other times gruesome, but for most of the story, it had me sympathizing with kemp. The fact that he was only 14, and had such a life-changing incident that impacted him for several years made the story very melancholic. This book was really well put and I recommend it to anyone who has ever dealt with grief or had lost a loved one to an accident.

[R Seykora · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has become a common place for childhood shootings, and this book provides an unique perspective…the shooter and his life after the event. Fo t rush through this book; take time to appreciate the writing and author’s vulnerability.

[Khalid · Rating 4 out of 5]

IRB #8

The Shooting: A Memoir by Kemp Powers, this book is very firm and straight foward to the topics of racial tension and vioence. The book is about a teenage book who shot his best while he irresponsibly played with one of his mother's guns. He was not charged by the police or the victims parents.He felt horrible after the incident and held on to it for his hold life.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done story of a journalist, who at age 14, accodentally shot and killed his best friend. After nearly 2 decades of silence he comes to griops with the nightmare that haunts him.

When I finished this book I had a strong feeling that I really liked kemp Powers and would enjoy meeting him. Very much so.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a poignant story. Touches on race, the criminal justice system, and mental health. I can't imagine what my life would be life if I accidently shot someone, let alone my best friend. Lots to think about with this book. Not the most linear story, but would highly recommend it.