Book Review The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed Simon & Schuster1992 Four police officers are equited of beating to death a black man called Rodney King. As violence engulfs LA Ashley is trying to focuse on finishing High School but events reveal uncomfortable and hidden truths about the realities of being black even in a protected wealthy environment. This multi-layered story interweaves the rights of passage as a teenager combined with the hurdles about race and class that have to be navigated by people of colour. It is a fascinating and different perspective of real life events seen through the eyes of a fictional teenage girl. A bittersweet journey of self identity and what it means to be black. You are immediately drawn into LA life and the eclectic and engaging group of characters while questioning your own journey through life and seeing events from a different perspective. A gripping and empathetic read that would be excellent for group discussion as it raises many current and ongoing issues as well as being an enjoyable holiday read. 
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