Reviews with content warning for Transphobia - Anger Is a Gift

Very diverse and beautiful, but definitely a difficult read with a lot of tragedy. I have a lot of respect for the how the topics of racism, poverty, ableism, and more were handled. But I did find fault in how many of the side characters existed only to prop up the main character. Obviously they're his friends, but they felt very one dimensional compared to his (Moss') complexities.

Even if the ending is slightly ambiguous, it gives a strong message about a fight that's not over and how it will be fueled by support for each other- and anger, in the best way.

Content Warnings

emsim's review against another edition

Go to review page

The

death

in the middle of the book was shocking, and I decided it was to much for me to handle right now.

Content Warnings

wintersolace's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional medium-paced

4.0

A good read and a look into relevant topics such as racism, including systemic racism, and police brutality. Inclusive cast of characters as well.

Content Warnings

cupidities's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

It's an insidious thing. It never happens overnight. This kind of thing crept into our community long ago. It latched on. It fed on prejudice. Selfishness. People's inability to see life through someone else's eyes. And it grew, bigger and bigger, until we got to a point where some people don't even question why a cop should be allowed to shoot first and ask questions later.

Anger Is a Gift is a dense read - it's full of detail, full of emotion and reflection, full of conflict and growth. It captures the burden of filling a highly visible role in organizing action: the emotional and psychological toll, the weight of carrying a responsibility to the community, the threats and criticism from people who don't understand the importance of this work. This is the first young adult book I've ever read that shows the work that goes into organizing and participating in movements and actions, that shows that actions don't happen without planning and protocols for protecting participants.

Moss, over the course of the book, stops letting people from positions of privilege and power get away with distancing themselves from the results of their actions. Many characters from a variety of backgrounds are forced to confront the ways that their actions have hurt the people around them. They aren't let off the hook for having good intentions: instead, Moss shows all of them how their actions have compounded injustice and systems of inequity.

This is also a deeply emotional read, and Moss doesn't get a tidy, happy resolution. Readers will feel the weight he and his loved ones take on and the price they pay to work toward justice. There is hope, but there is also pain, loss, and grief.

Content Warnings

More...