You don't have to read a lot of middle grade fiction to encounter one structured as a journal. What makes this one stand apart is it's natural tone. Most "journals" are preternaturally aware of the meaning events will have in the world at large or the deeper emotional meaning of interactions. Not this book. There are entries about racism and social unrest, of course. But there are also entries about wanting cool clothes. Or annoying little brothers. Or being embarrassed about farting at school. And the text isn't super polished. Anyone who kept a journal at age 13 knows that most of the entries take the structure "I did this and that. It was fun." And that's how this book reads. You could easily believe it was written by an actual kid. It isn't super deep but it was a fun listen and introduced me to parts of history that I knew nothing about.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
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