When Marvin Johnson's twin, Tyler, goes to a party, Marvin decides to tag along to keep an eye on his brother. But what starts as harmless fun turns into a shooting, followed by a police raid.The next day, Tyler has gone missing, and it's up to Marvin to find him. But when Tyler is found dead and the cops blame the shooting, a video is leaked online that tells an even more chilling story: Tyler has been shot and killed by a police officer. Terrified as his mother unravels and mourning a brother who is now a hashtag, Marvin must learn what justice and freedom really mean.After participating in the 13-house auction for The Hate U Give, now a runaway success, quite a lot of us agree that Angie Thomas's novel is "the one that got away"--but with the astronomical success of The Hate U Give, it's clear that there's a gap readers are hungry to see filled: very real novels that comment on race relations in America today. Tyler Johnson Was Here is an opportunity to add to the conversation on race and police brutality in America, and the debut author--a 21-year-old activist himself--has a strong voice for today's youth.
When Marvin Johnson's twin, Tyler, goes to a party, Marvin decides to tag along to keep an eye on his brother. But what starts as harmless fun turns into a shooting, followed by a police raid.The next day, Tyler has gone missing, and it's up to Marvin to find him. But when Tyler is found dead and the cops blame the shooting, a video is leaked online that tells an even more chilling story: Tyler has been shot and killed by a police officer. Terrified as his mother unravels and mourning a brother who is now a hashtag, Marvin must learn what justice and freedom really mean.After participating in the 13-house auction for The Hate U Give, now a runaway success, quite a lot of us agree that Angie Thomas's novel is "the one that got away"--but with the astronomical success of The Hate U Give, it's clear that there's a gap readers are hungry to see filled: very real novels that comment on race relations in America today. Tyler Johnson Was Here is an opportunity to add to the conversation on race and police brutality in America, and the debut author--a 21-year-old activist himself--has a strong voice for today's youth.
Jay Coles is a graduate of Vincennes University and Ball State University. When he's not writing diverse books, he's advocating for them, teaching middle school students, and composing for various music publishers. His debut novel Tyler Johnson Was Here is based on true events in his life and inspired by police brutality in America. He resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, and invites you to visit his website at jaycoleswrites.com.
* "This well-written, fast-paced story eloquently addresses how to
grieve, plan, and participate in the burial of a loved one....[A]
standout debut."--School Library Journal, starred review
* "Unforgettable....Coles' exploration of brotherhood, grief,
friendship, and familial ties is as moving and relevant as its
exploration of racism."--Booklist, starred review
"Tyler Johnson Was Here refuses to pull its punches. Marvin's story
will remake you. The careful prose, the heartbreaking story, but
also the triumph of a young man in the face of an often lightless
world. Jay Coles delivers the first book in what will be an
illuminating career."--Scott Reintgen, author of Nyxia
"A distressing yet empowering portrait of a black teenager
confronting relentless racism, brutality, and tragedy."--Publishers
Weekly
"An impactful story....Stirring and heartbreaking."--The
Bulletin
"An unflinching look at police brutality and systemic racism in
America."--Bustle
"Clear-eyed, authentic, and heartfelt, Tyler Johnson Was Here is a
captivating must-read."--Karen M. McManus, New York Times
bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying
"Coles...pens an immersive and uncompromising look at systemic
police violence in the U.S., effectively dramatizing the human
experience and ethical questions underpinning today's Movement for
Black Lives."--Kirkus Reviews
"Coles's contemporary novel addresses real issues facing black
teens in the U.S. today, and is a powerful story full of heart,
packing a deep emotional punch."--VOYA
"Exploring the current climate of police brutality and viral
culture, this harrowing YA effort is based on its author's own
experiences with tragedy and loss, a personal touch felt across
every page."--Entertainment Weekly
"Gripping from the very first scene, Tyler Johnson Was Here is a
powerful and vulnerable immersion into the lives of people who are
too rarely given a voice."--Adi Alsaid, author of Let's Get Lost
and Never Always Sometimes
"Jay Coles' powerful, anguished debut novel...garners worthy
comparisons to 2017's award-winning The Hate U Give."--BookPage
"Riveting...Coles evaluates self-identity in African Americans,
police brutality, stereotypes, prejudice, social justice,
education, poverty and more. At times endearing, and at times,
excruciating to read, it is a very important novel."--The
Washington Missourian
"Uncompromising and intense, this heart-wrenching novel sends out
an anguished cry for justice to all who are willing to
hear."--Shelf Awareness
An Entertainment Weekly Most Anticipated Book of the Year
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