Lola St. Vil

Story of 14 year old Ayo who is the daughter of a famous activist mother (she runs an organisation like Black Lives Matter in Harlem).Ayo wants out from being involved in her mother’s cause; she just wants to have a normal life and have fun. After arguing with her mum, she doesn’t go to a huge rally but spends the day with her boyfriend and witnesses her mother being shot by police after the rally turns into a riot. Ayo must now cope with her mum in a coma with only a birthday scavenger hunt to inspire her to find her way back to who she is.

Mmmm. Ok, so I am white and I really did not understand a lot of the “implied” racism that Ayo and her friends were angry about. I dont live in Harlem or the US so I found it difficult to understand the anger in this book. I would love the students in my school that are of colour to read this and tell me if they feel this angry in Australia. I hope not.
I thought the author was trying to rush too much in with this at the end. Esp. The scavenger hunt bit, the shop keeper and the “happy ending” was all a bit forced and not in keeping with the gritty subject matter of racism!
Also the book alludes to sex, and there is the N word as well as other swearing.… (more)

This is one of those rare occasions where it wouldn't sit right with me trying to interpret or sum up my feelings about a read with a star rating. Can't do it.

There are some reasons why I didn't vibe with this book, and other reasons why I understand the story all too well.

I can say, aside from the scenes that increased my appreciation for Ayo's tight circle of friends, my favorite scene is one where Rosalie protects a child (teenager) under her roof without hesitation or question—like a lioness who doesn't even have to roar in that moment to get her point across.… (more)