For a debut novel, I don’t expect an author to check every box. Especially with a book like this one that tackles touchy topics such as race, class, and privilege, but the author manages to provide beneficial commentary on all these things and more. 

The book is told through Jay’s POV as he takes on the daunting task of finding his missing sister, Nic. As we all know by now, missing black girls girls don’t make headlines and Jay is confronted with that uncomfortable truth on multiple fronts. Each character in this book in various ways represents people within the black community. The dialogue between Jay and Javon, local illegal pharmacist and Nic’s boyfriend, help shed light on the privileges afforded black boys being raised by a village versus the ones who have to raise themselves. Similarly, both boys have been thrust in adulthood, however Javon’s disadvantages yields a different result. 

Harris highlights the lack of concern from authorities when it comes to missing children, how labels and stereotypes can be weaponized against black people within our own communities, and the particular way respectability politics can have an effect on a black kid’s self esteem. The need for solid male figures in a black boy’s life is clear and Jay thankfully has a few in the book that make it clear they are available to him if he needs help. I also commend the author for not shying away from the harsh reality of how the media reports on black victims. 

Pamela Harris does take some creative liberties with the dialogue, which helps in minimizing the use of expletives, but at times can be a bit repetitive/out of place. Despite this, When You Look Like Us  encourages young black teens to engage with the uncomfortable parts of their reality in a refreshing way.