Play Book Tag discussion

A true story of two teenagers in Oakland, CA. Slater did a great job of interweaving the life of two very different teens and both that are both a bit unsupported by US society. Sasha is white, going to a great private school and fully supported by 2 middle class parents. Sasha is also agender and on the spectrum for Asperger's. However they have been fully supported by family, friends and school. Richard is a Black teen boy raised by a young mother who took in her nieces when her sister died and struggles to make ends meet. Richard finds it hard to focus on school and often skips to hang with his friends which led to some time in juvie and a group home. Richard tries though and joins a program at school to motivate himself but also prone to teenage boy antics. Richard and Sasha first come together on a public bus after school when Richard sets Sasha's skirt on fire while they were asleep leading to serious third degree burns.

The story is terrible on all sides but Slater does a great job portraying the lives of these two teens and bringing awareness and education living as agender. She also discusses how the justice system is stacked against young black teens and reconsidering allowing teens to be tried as adults when there brains are still under the influence of being a teen heavily misfiring when under stress or the influence of friends. Slater treats both teens compassionately highlighting their best while not making light of the serious crime committed.

I have this lined up for another challenge, never thinking it would fit mental health-thanks the tip and the reveiw!