The Black Kids

I would like to start this review off by saying I am a white British man which will of course mean that I cannot possibly have any idea of what the main character goes through, and also means I find it harder to relate to her.

However, I still do not think that Ashley is a good protagonist, especially for the story Hammonds Reed is trying to tell. She is very passive, allowing her friends to completely get away with racism, and also she doesn't do anything in her own story. I would've much preferred this book to be in Jo or LaShawn or even Lana's perspective. Because Ashley just brings nothing to the story, so this important topic is not explored as well and deeply as it could've been.
Also, Ashley is just a horrible person a lot. She sees her cousin for the first time in years because her home is in danger and Ashley's first thought is about the weight she's put on.

As the book gets into the ‘After' portion, it uses so many metaphors, especially for Ashley and Jo's relationship. It's rather frustrating because it feels like so much telling the audience what their relationship is without actually demonstrating it at all besides the annoyance Ash feels about her.

I get nothing from this book, except annoyance for the missed opportunity for a book that could've been really good about a really important subject.