Tyler Johnson Was Here
Ratings6
Average rating3.2
A stunning portrait of young black lives in modern America, for readers of The Hate U Give. Twins Marvin and Tyler couldn't be more different. Where Marvin is reserved, Tyler is charismatic. Where Marvin is consumed by grief for his absent father, Tyler is carefree. And where Marvin is careful, Tyler is daring. But despite their differences, and despite the poverty and trauma that threatens to pull them apart, the brothers are close. Then, one fateful night, Tyler decides to go to a party, and Marvin tags along, hoping to keep an eye on his brother. But what starts out as harmless fun soon descends into a night of chaos that ends in a police raid. And the next day, Tyler is missing. As his mother falls apart and his brother becomes known only as a hashtag, Marvin will learn what justice and freedom really mean in an unfair world.
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2.5 Not particularly well written with very little character development, especially with the secondary characters. Other books have done this and better. But, it's raw and real and there can't be enough books reflecting realistic experiences to teens in an unsanitized and everyday way, plus the cover is gorgeous, so it has saleability.
“...the thing about hate is you can't throw it on someone else without getting a little bit on yourself.???
I've connected with other books around the topic more, and felt the characters and plot were a bit clunky or not fully fleshed out. Gorgeous cover! Please prioritize own voice reviewers over my thoughts.
Important themes, to be sure, but the characters struck me flat and underdeveloped, the pacing was off, and some of the racism felt cartoonish. Also, small quibble, but a deposition doesn't happen in a courtoom in front of a judge. It's a YA book so it's not damning that it felt like a Disney Channel tv show, but I was hoping for more.
