2022 SQHS Your Literate Life - BOOK REVIEWS ONLY discussion

Reviewed By Diana

The book All American Boys, is a very sad, but, hopeful story about police brutality, racism and standing up for what is right. It starts off with a sixteen-year-old boy of color, named Rashad, who was trying to buy some chips at Jerry’s Corner Mart. When he accidentally bumped into a woman and the chips fell on the floor. At that time a Policeman, Paul Galluzzo, was in the store talking with the clerk. When he looked up, he saw a boy of color and a bag of chips lying on the ground. The Policeman quickly assumed that Rashad was a thief. The Policeman grabbed him and took him outside of the Mart. Where he beat him so badly that he had to go straight to the hospital. While a white boy, Quinn Collins, was witnessing this. Weeks went by and Rashad was absent again and again. It quickly spread all over media and was read all over the news. Before long what had started from a bag of chips turned into an act of violence and injustice. Creating tension and forcing the school and the community to take sides. But did it all start from a simple misunderstanding or was it an act of racism? Whose side was right? Who’s guilty? Who’s innocent?

I think that the book All American Boys was a very interesting read. It was very sad, and it felt like it was very unfair and inhuman. But, in the end, it was a very happy ending. I really thought that it was interesting because it all started from a bag of chips. And when Rashad accidentally gets mistaken for shoplifting. He gets badly beaten by a police officer, Paul Galluzzo. While a white boy, Quinn Collins, witnessing this. Even though he knew that Paul was guilty. He didn’t want to believe it because he looked up to him all his life. I think that this book has shown me that sometimes we are too quick to judge. We make a one story of a person based on our first look at them. Then we quickly come to conclusion as to who that person is based on the way they look. It reminded me to never judge someone before I get to know them personally.

This book sounds sad but interesting. Its sad that this is a real life issue and officers are getting away with hateful crimes but i'd like to see how its handled in the book.

Shaliyah wrote: "This book sounds sad but interesting. Its sad that this is a real life issue and officers are getting away with hateful crimes but i'd like to see how its handled in the book."

Thank you. This book is sad at first, but then it turns into a powerful movement. Sadly, it's true that people of color, are still seen as unequal's. I'm glad that your interested in the book, and I strongly recommend it.

There are many books written on the topic of injustice against people of color. This book sounds like an interesting way of looking at how quickly people do jump to judgement and how terrible the consequences can be. I will need to read it.

Diana wrote: "Shaliyah wrote: "This book sounds sad but interesting. Its sad that this is a real life issue and officers are getting away with hateful crimes but i'd like to see how its handled in the book."

Th..."

Thank you, I agree there are a lot of books out there about that. But, this is one of my favorites. I think this book in a way is similar to "The Hate You Give". I would strongly recommend this book.