"Because racism was alive and real as shit. It was everywhere and all mixed up in everything, and the only people who said it wasn’t, and the only people who said, “Don’t talk about it” were white. Well, stop lying." By Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely should be required reading. It is exactly the kind of fiction that allows teenage readers to explore deeply personal, deeply present topics and build relationships with characters that feel meaningful and real. The story of two boys, Rashad and Quinn, who are unknowingly tied together when Rashad becomes the victim of a racist, false and all-too-real attack by a local police officer. The police officer, Paul, happens to be a family friend of Quinn's, but Quinn begins to doubt everything he knows about Paul when he realizes the violence that Paul has perpetuated upon innocent Rashad. Rashad, at the same time, becomes the symbol for the town's Black Lives Matter movement, as Rashad's face and a friend's tag (reading: RASHAD IS ABSENT AGAIN) become household conversation. Rashad isn't sure he wants to be a symbol. Quinn isn't sure he wants to betray his family. But both characters come together knowing that America's deeply rooted racism needs to change now.

This is an excellent book, particularly for any white parents or teachers who want to teach white young people about what it means to be an active ally, a comrade, and a friend. Doing what's right isn't always easy, but Reynolds and Kiely implore that it is necessary and do so with great impact.