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Take Back the Block
Wes Henderson has the best style in sixth grade. That--and hanging out with his crew (his best friends since little-kid days) and playing video games--is what he wants to be thinking about at the start of the school year, not the protests his parents are always dragging him to.
But when a real estate developer makes an offer to buy Kensington Oaks, the neighborhood Wes has lived his whole life, everything changes. The grownups are suppposed to have all the answers, but all they're doing is arguing. Even Wes's best friends are fighting. And some of them may be moving. Wes isn't about to give up the only home he's ever known. Wes has always been good at puzzles, and he knows there has to be a missing piece that will solve this puzzle and save the Oaks. But can he find it . . . before it's too late?
Exploring community, gentrification, justice, and friendship, Take Back the Block introduces an irresistible 6th grader and asks what it means to belong--to a place and a movement--and to fight for what you believe in.
But when a real estate developer makes an offer to buy Kensington Oaks, the neighborhood Wes has lived his whole life, everything changes. The grownups are suppposed to have all the answers, but all they're doing is arguing. Even Wes's best friends are fighting. And some of them may be moving. Wes isn't about to give up the only home he's ever known. Wes has always been good at puzzles, and he knows there has to be a missing piece that will solve this puzzle and save the Oaks. But can he find it . . . before it's too late?
Exploring community, gentrification, justice, and friendship, Take Back the Block introduces an irresistible 6th grader and asks what it means to belong--to a place and a movement--and to fight for what you believe in.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 26, 2021
48 people are currently reading
2460 people want to read
About the author
Chrystal D. Giles
9 books80 followersChrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity and representation in children’s literature. She made her debut with Take Back the Block, which received multiple starred reviews, was a Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and NPR Best Book, and won the IRA Social Justice Literature Award. Her latest middle-grade novel, Not An Easy Win, received four starred reviews and has been named an ALSC Notable Children's Book. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son.
Chrystal is represented by Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.
Chrystal is represented by Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
December 4, 2020
Put this book on your to-read lists immediately.
Take Back the Block is a story about gentrification, fighting for what is important, while also navigating change, friendships, and school. I loved loved LOVED this and I think everyone should read this come 2021.
- Follows Wes, a Black boy who reluctantly follows his activist mum to protests - but later grows to care and learn about gentrification in his neighbourhood and fights to stop it.
- Young people in activism!!!! I honestly loved this book and how it explores activism - how it can be big and loud like protests, but also involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work, learning, growing, and working with others.
- I loved how this book approached gentrification. It seems like a huge and intimidating topic, but Giles explores and educates this in such an accessible and easy-to-understand way through Wes's eyes. By the end, I can guarantee that you'll be thoughtful about gentrification and institutional, modern racism, and its wider social impacts (especially on people who are poor).
- I loved Wes so much!! He was honestly such a cool kid. He's got style, he cares about his friends, he's definitely not perfect, but he does his best, grows a lot, and learns so much across the story. And I also just... loved how Wes gets to be a kid in the story with real and relatable kid problems and worries.
- I honestly loved this; loved how Giles just blended all the themes together to create this really genuine and holistic picture of Wes's life. All aspects of Wes's life - from school to family to his friendships to even those moments he has to himself to think and reflect- are so well balanced.
Trigger/content warning: one instance of police brutality
Take Back the Block is a story about gentrification, fighting for what is important, while also navigating change, friendships, and school. I loved loved LOVED this and I think everyone should read this come 2021.
- Follows Wes, a Black boy who reluctantly follows his activist mum to protests - but later grows to care and learn about gentrification in his neighbourhood and fights to stop it.
- Young people in activism!!!! I honestly loved this book and how it explores activism - how it can be big and loud like protests, but also involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work, learning, growing, and working with others.
- I loved how this book approached gentrification. It seems like a huge and intimidating topic, but Giles explores and educates this in such an accessible and easy-to-understand way through Wes's eyes. By the end, I can guarantee that you'll be thoughtful about gentrification and institutional, modern racism, and its wider social impacts (especially on people who are poor).
- I loved Wes so much!! He was honestly such a cool kid. He's got style, he cares about his friends, he's definitely not perfect, but he does his best, grows a lot, and learns so much across the story. And I also just... loved how Wes gets to be a kid in the story with real and relatable kid problems and worries.
- I honestly loved this; loved how Giles just blended all the themes together to create this really genuine and holistic picture of Wes's life. All aspects of Wes's life - from school to family to his friendships to even those moments he has to himself to think and reflect- are so well balanced.
Trigger/content warning: one instance of police brutality
July 18, 2020
This book needs to be on the shelves of EVERY elementary school and public library. I can't wait for the world to meet Wes. I'm glad I did. Grateful to the publisher for providing me an early copy in advance of publication.
May 7, 2022
Give this to fans of From the Desk of Zoe Washington who are looking for more stories about young people who take on (what many will perceive as adult issues) societal injustices to make the world a better place.
January 26, 2021
Thank you to the author and publisher for an eARC of this book.
Here’s an example of a great debut middle grade novel; it’s an excellent length at 240 pages, has short chapters, and tells a story that focuses on community and taking action to protect things that matter. It sheds light on the important issue of Black neighborhoods that are being sold and transformed into middle or upper class areas, and the history that is lost in the process.
Wes has grown up in Kensington Oaks, in the same house his mom grew up in, and that his grandfather spent ten years saving to purchase. He knows his neighbors, his friends all live here, and he’s got lots of wonderful memories from his neighborhood. But things start to change when a development group offers to buy the homes in the area to make way for new ventures. Not only does it divide the residents as people wonder what to do, but it also starts to break up Wes’s group of friends. Wes tries to bring everyone together in an effort to Take Back The Block and save it from being demolished, but even with hard work there are some changes that just can’t be prevented. Wes and his friendships are transformed, as is Kensington Oaks, in ways that no one could have predicted.
There are a lot of elements of this story that I really liked. I loved the sense of community that existed in Kensington Oaks, even when people where fighting over whether to stay or leave. Seeing a close-knit Black community in a positive light, with little crime and families who cared about their neighbors, broke many stereotypes that we often find in books. I loved that the history of the neighborhood was tied to the only Black lumber mill owner, and that his legacy is remembered as the story unfolds. The characters come from very different family situations and backgrounds, so we get a chance to see a wide-range of experiences, while the group of friends maintain their connections. The involvement of Wes and his family in protests for different causes, Wes’s social studies project on a modern issue in today’s society, and his involvement with Save Our City and other aid organizations is inspiring for young readers who desperately want to find ways to bring about change.
I was reminded many times of TIGHT by Torrey Maldonado and his books that focus on young middle graders, while at the same time I thought of SO DONE by Paula Chase and her characters that dealt with Black friendships and the bonds of the neighborhood. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more from the author.
Here’s an example of a great debut middle grade novel; it’s an excellent length at 240 pages, has short chapters, and tells a story that focuses on community and taking action to protect things that matter. It sheds light on the important issue of Black neighborhoods that are being sold and transformed into middle or upper class areas, and the history that is lost in the process.
Wes has grown up in Kensington Oaks, in the same house his mom grew up in, and that his grandfather spent ten years saving to purchase. He knows his neighbors, his friends all live here, and he’s got lots of wonderful memories from his neighborhood. But things start to change when a development group offers to buy the homes in the area to make way for new ventures. Not only does it divide the residents as people wonder what to do, but it also starts to break up Wes’s group of friends. Wes tries to bring everyone together in an effort to Take Back The Block and save it from being demolished, but even with hard work there are some changes that just can’t be prevented. Wes and his friendships are transformed, as is Kensington Oaks, in ways that no one could have predicted.
There are a lot of elements of this story that I really liked. I loved the sense of community that existed in Kensington Oaks, even when people where fighting over whether to stay or leave. Seeing a close-knit Black community in a positive light, with little crime and families who cared about their neighbors, broke many stereotypes that we often find in books. I loved that the history of the neighborhood was tied to the only Black lumber mill owner, and that his legacy is remembered as the story unfolds. The characters come from very different family situations and backgrounds, so we get a chance to see a wide-range of experiences, while the group of friends maintain their connections. The involvement of Wes and his family in protests for different causes, Wes’s social studies project on a modern issue in today’s society, and his involvement with Save Our City and other aid organizations is inspiring for young readers who desperately want to find ways to bring about change.
I was reminded many times of TIGHT by Torrey Maldonado and his books that focus on young middle graders, while at the same time I thought of SO DONE by Paula Chase and her characters that dealt with Black friendships and the bonds of the neighborhood. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more from the author.
January 22, 2021
Take Back the Block is an insightful, inspiring, and hearty middle-grade book about community, friendship, and speaking up. This realistic debut also touches on poverty and homelessness as well as navigating a pre-pubescent crush. If you enjoy reading books by Black authors about social issues, then you should definitely add this one to your TBR!
Read my full review on the blog.
Thanks to author Chrystal Giles and the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley!
Read my full review on the blog.
Thanks to author Chrystal Giles and the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley!
October 12, 2020
Take Back the Block is a great and necessary book that sheds light on the impact of gentrification on the communities and people that it's happening to. Main character Wes is a totally relatable hero kids will want to cheer on as he takes on a corporation to save his own home neighborhood. I loved how it shows that kids are empowered to fight for what they believe in, and I know it will inspire more kids to get involved in their own communities.
August 25, 2020
Chrystal D. Giles' TAKE BACK THE BLOCK does a remarkable thing: it makes issues of social justice accessible for middle grade readers. By presenting difficult subjects in the context of a great story populated by memorable characters, the issues come alive with incredible poignancy. Wes and his crew feel so real. Readers will cheer for him as he fights to save his neighborhood from gentrification. They will cry for him when he and a friend are victims of racial profiling. They will identify with and admire his journey from a reluctant participant in his parents' activism to an independent and passionate leader ready to fight for what he knows is right. And they will come away with a better understanding of the importance of community and shared history. This story is so very timely and so very necessary. If I were a middle school/late elementary teacher, I would make TAKE BACK THE BLOCK part of my curriculum. Highly recommend. Many thanks to Random House Kids for the opportunity to read this advanced review copy
January 5, 2021
I laughed, I cried, I finished it in under two hours. This is an essential book to keep in your classrooms, and could serve as a really interesting complement to All American Boys by Jason Reynolds. Take Back the Block breaks down gentrification and explains it in a way that is accessible yet not over simplified. The characters are scary real, and the situations feel true to life. Giles is absolutely going to be part of the new YA canon.
July 13, 2021
An important issue made accessible to middle school readers.
October 16, 2023
touches on themes of racism, gentrification, youth leadership. suitable for grades 4-6
August 31, 2020
TAKE BACK THE BLOCK takes me back to that special time when I was in middle school trying to find my voice as a young Black man starting to see how my city was changing around me and how my friends and I were brought up. This book confronts so many topics head on impacting the Black community. Chrystal D. Giles did an OUTSTANDING job with depicting each kid’s personality, while also finding the perfect balance of informing young people about gentrification without preaching. This book oozes authenticity! The author’s use of historic symbols show the connection between Jim Crow and racial inequality that we’re still facing today. While we’ve come a long way we still have a ways to go, and Wes and his friends experience this directly. This book also shows how being surrounded by love and fighting for what you believe in can change the trajectory of a young person’s life forever. I look forward to reading more of Chrystal’s work. She is a rising-star!
July 11, 2020
It’s just after summer in Carolina, and shoe-obsessed eleven-year-old Wes Henderson is thirsty and hot. It’s his BIRTHDAY, and he could be playing basketball with the crew. Instead, he’s holding a sign: “WE WERE HERE FIRST.”
It’s LOUD. Neighbors, demolition, news crews, people fighting...Wes has lived in Kensington Oaks his whole life, and now it’s just for sale? His mom, a board member, has all but forced him to join her cause. And Wes goes along with it. He’d “rather eat dirt than listen to another lecture on counting blessings.”
One thing’s for sure. Wes is NOT going to get in front of the news cameras again. The last time, he ended up completely immobile. This time, he ends up in a porta-potty filled with “somebody else’s stink juice.”
Still, it’s not fair, turning homes into twenty stories of shiny new condos and shops. Will Wes find the missing piece to saving his neighborhood?
Debut author Chrystal D. Giles’ TAKE BACK THE BLOCK inspires young readers to speak up against what’s not right, to try to change what’s unjust. A 2018 We Need Diverse Books Mentee, Giles’ strong, compassionate, hopeful voice lends itself to empowering this generation of middle graders, showing that what they think—and do—matters.
It’s LOUD. Neighbors, demolition, news crews, people fighting...Wes has lived in Kensington Oaks his whole life, and now it’s just for sale? His mom, a board member, has all but forced him to join her cause. And Wes goes along with it. He’d “rather eat dirt than listen to another lecture on counting blessings.”
One thing’s for sure. Wes is NOT going to get in front of the news cameras again. The last time, he ended up completely immobile. This time, he ends up in a porta-potty filled with “somebody else’s stink juice.”
Still, it’s not fair, turning homes into twenty stories of shiny new condos and shops. Will Wes find the missing piece to saving his neighborhood?
Debut author Chrystal D. Giles’ TAKE BACK THE BLOCK inspires young readers to speak up against what’s not right, to try to change what’s unjust. A 2018 We Need Diverse Books Mentee, Giles’ strong, compassionate, hopeful voice lends itself to empowering this generation of middle graders, showing that what they think—and do—matters.
August 25, 2020
I read Chrystal D. Giles's TAKE BACK THE BLOCK at the right time. As many of you know, I'm a big fan of The Chi on Showtime (stay with me here, I promise this is relevant), and one of the main reasons I love it is because it does such a great job at illustrating the rich inner and outer worlds of its young characters, never treating their worries and issues as lesser than. But! The kids on that show aren't so young anymore so you know I needed something to fill that void. Enter Wes, the crew, and Kensington Oaks.
TAKE BACK THE BLOCK is phenomenal at letting the reader dig into Wes' world, understand his bonds with the crew, and give us a truthful, heartfelt perspective on what gentrification means on an individual level. What I loved the most is that it made the subject matter accessible for young readers. It made it accessible for me too. Highly recommend this book for eager middle grade readers!
TAKE BACK THE BLOCK is phenomenal at letting the reader dig into Wes' world, understand his bonds with the crew, and give us a truthful, heartfelt perspective on what gentrification means on an individual level. What I loved the most is that it made the subject matter accessible for young readers. It made it accessible for me too. Highly recommend this book for eager middle grade readers!
August 23, 2020
Wes has been raised to speak up and speak out against Injustice, and while he dutifully attends the protests his activist mother organizes, Wes doesn’t see how the fight for social justice relates to him. But then his beloved neighborhood is targeted by a developer offering big money to buy people out of their homes.
Now the fight becomes personal. Along with his friends, Wes learns what it means to fight for what you believe in, how to stand up and fight for what’s right.
Wes’s journey from passive participant in his mother’s protests to a a leader and active voice for civic and social justice is powerful and beautifully crafted.
This MG should be in every classroom and school library as a primer for kids to see that their voices not only matter, but that they carry weight and can help affect real change.
Now the fight becomes personal. Along with his friends, Wes learns what it means to fight for what you believe in, how to stand up and fight for what’s right.
Wes’s journey from passive participant in his mother’s protests to a a leader and active voice for civic and social justice is powerful and beautifully crafted.
This MG should be in every classroom and school library as a primer for kids to see that their voices not only matter, but that they carry weight and can help affect real change.
December 12, 2020
YES, YES, and YES. All elementary and middle school libraries and classroom libraries need this debut from Giles. Wes Henderson is a little anxious about the start of the school year. He'll be in sixth grade and wants nothing more than to make sure his outfits are spot on. He has the best style in school, and he doesn't want to worry about anything else, but his parents are always dragging him to protests. School starts off in a way that he was not expecting, too. He has a friend who is slowly distancing himself, another who is moving to an uppity school, and another who is now living in a rough hotel. What gets even worse is a real estate developer makes an offer to buy Kensington Oaks—Wes' neighborhood. No one is taking immediate action (not even the parents), so it is up to Wes and his friends to do something. A mix of Black Joy, activism, justice, community, family, and friendship. Such a refreshing read that gives hope! I will book talk and share this book like crazy!
December 10, 2021
Forgot to post this one! I LOVED it. One of my top 10 of 2021. Love how it addresses gentrification and the way it impacts communities. My sister-in-law Steffi lives in Charlotte where the author is from. Steffi is involved in trying to protect the historically Black neighborhood called Cherry in Charlotte and in particular the Morgan school. This book was a perfect recommendation for she and her two sons!
Gentrification, social justice, police discrimination, friendship, Black history…there’s so much here and it’s all anchored by a fabulous main character who is flawed, but learning and growing. Definitely adding this to my list of books that involve teen/youth activism. Great fit for the 10 questions for young Changemakers.
I can’t wait to see what else this Chrystal Giles writes. What an incredible debut!
Gentrification, social justice, police discrimination, friendship, Black history…there’s so much here and it’s all anchored by a fabulous main character who is flawed, but learning and growing. Definitely adding this to my list of books that involve teen/youth activism. Great fit for the 10 questions for young Changemakers.
I can’t wait to see what else this Chrystal Giles writes. What an incredible debut!
March 26, 2022
What an incredible book! I enjoyed every page of it.
I LOVE reading a middle grade novel every now and then and I'm so happy I picked this one up. The subject matter is excellent, especially for young readers, but the characters are what make this story magical.
What I loved about Wes (the protagonist) is that he was very much a kid. I think it was important to make that clear given the rather mature conflict. Yes, he spends a lot of time in the story doing volunteer work, protesting, and researching, but he's also gaming, complaining about homework, fighting with his friends, and just...doing what kids do. I absolutely adored him. His friends and parents are also lovable, well-developed characters. The side action of the plot is strong. It was just so easy for me to care about every aspect of the book.
I highly recommend Take Back the Block to readers of all ages.
I LOVE reading a middle grade novel every now and then and I'm so happy I picked this one up. The subject matter is excellent, especially for young readers, but the characters are what make this story magical.
What I loved about Wes (the protagonist) is that he was very much a kid. I think it was important to make that clear given the rather mature conflict. Yes, he spends a lot of time in the story doing volunteer work, protesting, and researching, but he's also gaming, complaining about homework, fighting with his friends, and just...doing what kids do. I absolutely adored him. His friends and parents are also lovable, well-developed characters. The side action of the plot is strong. It was just so easy for me to care about every aspect of the book.
I highly recommend Take Back the Block to readers of all ages.
December 23, 2020
Thank you to Random House Kids, for the eArc of Take Back the Block, which I loved. Authors that tackle current issues like gentrification, in their own voice and using their own life experience, are powerful for kids to read. Gentrification is a complex issue that negatively affects people of color all across the country. Giles did an incredible job not only explaining what gentrification is, but also helping young readers see the effects it has through her characters' experiences.
I hope my students take Wes' lead and use their voices to help the "arc of moral universe bend toward justice." I will definitely be adding this realistic fiction middle-grade novel to my classroom library and booktalking it with my students.
I hope my students take Wes' lead and use their voices to help the "arc of moral universe bend toward justice." I will definitely be adding this realistic fiction middle-grade novel to my classroom library and booktalking it with my students.
November 14, 2021
TAKE BACK THE BLOCK is an inspiring, empowering story about the importance of speaking out and working to further causes you believe in. The characters are a likable bunch, easy to root for. For the most part, the kids speak and act like kids, which isn't always true in MG books. My only beef is the romance-y bits between Wes and Alyssa. West JUST turned ELEVEN—I really don't think a romantic subplot (even as minor as it is) rings very true. It felt odd to me. As far as plot goes, TAKE BACK THE BLOCK takes a bit to get warmed up, but once it does, it moves along at a fair pace. Upbeat and uplifting, the story teaches some valuable lessons about being a friend, serving others, the power of found family, and the importance of putting one's energy behind worthy causes. With a mostly Black cast, it's also a diverse read about the kind of community that is severely underrepresented in MG literature. All of these elements combine to make this book an engaging, enjoyable, and thought-provoking read.
June 12, 2021
Take Back the Block follows the life of Wes Henderson and his community. It's summer break and all Wes wants to do is hangout and play video games with his friends, but instead his parents have him protesting and marching for different social justice issues. Wes isn't really interested in them, except when a real estate developer wants to buy all of the houses in Kensington Oaks, including his. He is not about to let someone take his home away.
Wes learns about what the real estate developer wants to do, what gentrification means and what it does to a community. With the help of his friends, teachers, and parents, Wes comes up with the idea to have a block party to bring the community together and fight to save Kensington Oaks. This story shows what it means to belong to a community and what it takes to fight for what you believe in.
--Reviewed by LR
Wes learns about what the real estate developer wants to do, what gentrification means and what it does to a community. With the help of his friends, teachers, and parents, Wes comes up with the idea to have a block party to bring the community together and fight to save Kensington Oaks. This story shows what it means to belong to a community and what it takes to fight for what you believe in.
--Reviewed by LR
November 25, 2021
This was SUCH a good read! (5 stars, in fact 👀.) Wesley's voice sucked me in from the very first chapter & I will definitely be advocating for a copy to get added to my elementary school library.
Check this one out if you're looking for a middle grade with:
- A Black Boy MC
- A BIPOC Neighborhood Setting
- Discussions on Gentrification & Segregation
- Complex Friend Dynamics
- Loving & Supportive Family
- Kids Researching & Learning Independently
- Kids Fighting For What They Believe In
- Character Growth Arcs
Seriously, this book might be one of my favorites I've read with the #WeLoveMGLit book club this year. Can't wait for the discussion!
Check this one out if you're looking for a middle grade with:
- A Black Boy MC
- A BIPOC Neighborhood Setting
- Discussions on Gentrification & Segregation
- Complex Friend Dynamics
- Loving & Supportive Family
- Kids Researching & Learning Independently
- Kids Fighting For What They Believe In
- Character Growth Arcs
Seriously, this book might be one of my favorites I've read with the #WeLoveMGLit book club this year. Can't wait for the discussion!
October 8, 2020
Fast-paced and exciting story about one boy's growing awareness of social justice. I'm so impressed by the voice in this novel! Twelve-year-old Wes feels like a real boy to me, with real worries about his friends and his neighborhood. His growth, from someone in the beginning who cares most about his shoes and clothes and video games, to a socially-aware and strong leader among his neighbors and classmates, is phenomenal! The writing style is highly accessible, and middle-grade readers will learn about gentrification and social injustice without even realizing they're learning. A powerful, timely read.
Thanks to the publisher for an e-arc.
Thanks to the publisher for an e-arc.
September 4, 2020
Great middle grade story about a young boy grappling with gentrification and how it impacts himself and his friends. Love that this young boy is engaged in protesting. I want more on his friend Kari, my heart breaks for him. And the way this text tackled the erasure of Black excellence in an accessible way was great!
February 21, 2022
This was a powerful yet sweet story of a 6th grade boy who wants to do something about his neighborhood being broken apart. A development company has been buying up homes and building condos, already forcing one of his best friends to move, and his block stands to be next. Even though my son read this first for school, I learned something too from this one.
February 24, 2024
I read this book to my grade 4/5 class as part of our learning about Black excellence month in February. It quickly became the class's favourite part of our day! Everyone enjoyed it and wants to know when book 2 will be released.
May 27, 2021
I'm so here for these kids taking back what's theirs!!!
July 4, 2021
I strong story about fighting for what is important. I also learned about gentrification.
July 22, 2021
Wes Henderson wants to focus on championing his swag in middle school but instead confronts a larger challenge as his neighborhood is threatened by the forces of gentrification. [from Kirkus Reviews]
April 22, 2022
It’s more 3.5 ⭐️ for me, mostly because I just generally don’t enjoy juvenile fiction as much as YA or adult fiction. This is such an important topic of gentrification, and the book tackles it in a way that younger kids would be able to understand. It’s a must for upper elementary and middle school libraries and classrooms. The characters were distinct and interesting. The humor and personality of the narrator was good as well.
November 29, 2022
So many real-world problems in this book. It is a great starting point to talk to kids about race, middle-school friendships, gentrification, wrongful incarceration, and so much more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews