The Black Kids

By: Christina Hammonds Reed

Narrated by: Kiersey Clemons

A New York Times bestseller
A William C. Morris Award Finalist

“Should be required reading in every classroom.” —Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin
“A true love letter to Los Angeles.” —Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of Little & Lion
“A brilliantly poetic take on one of the most defining moments in Black American history.” —Tiffany D. Jackson, author of Grown and Monday’s Not Coming

Perfect for fans of The Hate U Give, this unforgettable coming-of-age debut novel explores issues of race, class, and violence through the eyes of a wealthy black teenager whose family gets caught in the vortex of the 1992 Rodney King Riots.

Los Angeles, 1992

Ashley Bennett and her friends are living the charmed life. It’s the end of senior year and they’re spending more time at the beach than in the classroom. They can already feel the sunny days and endless possibilities of summer.

Everything changes one afternoon in April, when four LAPD officers are acquitted after beating a black man named Rodney King half to death. Suddenly, Ashley’s not just one of the girls. She’s one of the black kids.

As violent protests engulf LA and the city burns, Ashley tries to continue on as if life were normal. Even as her self-destructive sister gets dangerously involved in the riots. Even as the model black family façade her wealthy and prominent parents have built starts to crumble. Even as her best friends help spread a rumor that could completely derail the future of her classmate and fellow black kid, LaShawn Johnson.

With her world splintering around her, Ashley, along with the rest of LA, is left to question who is the us? And who is the them?

Critic reviews

"Kiersey Clemons narrates this audiobook about a Black teen living in Los Angeles during the 1992 riots. Though there are a handful of other Black kids at her school, Ashley prefers the company of her rich white friends, in spite of their near-constant stream of racist microaggressions. Then, the police officers who beat Rodney King are acquitted, and Ashley's world—and viewpoints—are altered forever. Clemons employs a wry yet vulnerable tone that suggests a believable teenage identity crisis behind Ashley's unamused disposition. Though this audiobook takes place in 1992 and contains numerous historically accurate cultural references, it's highly relevant today, particularly considering the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement."

Wanted more!!

It took me a minute to enjoy the stream of consciousness at first , felt like rambling but once I stepped into the character I began to enjoy it more and more! As a 30 year old black woman a lot of this hit home with how she was feeling. Throughly enjoyed the education about Tulsa and Black Wall Street. Found myself wanting more , a part two for after college!

Amazing

I loved I really hope she writes a spin off I wanna know what happens during there college days

For the “Oreos” of the world

Finally a book written from the POV of black girls who grew up in predominantly white spaces during times of civil unrest. This author gets it. Down to swallowing your disgust at micro aggressions to the anxiety that comes with not knowing how to react to overt racism. Loved the mental health talk too. Bravo!

Amazing!

This was an amazing book about teen views of white vs black it has a very real life view to the story line and I enjoyed it

Need the next chapter

Although my high school years were decades ago, I was captivated by the story. What happened to Jo? Did Ashley transfer to Stanford and she and LaShaun become a thing? What happened to Lona after graduation? I have too many questions about the book and it's characters that a second must be in these works. The narrator was perfect! Looking forward to listening to another book she narrates.