Tyler Johnson Was Here

by JayColes (Author)

New
Paperback
2019
$11.97

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.

Synopsis

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.

$11.97

Quantity

2 in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 304
Edition: Reprint
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers US
Published: 11 Apr 2019
ISBN 10: 0316472182
ISBN 13: 9780316472180
Children’s book age: 12+ Years

Media Reviews

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
An Entertainment Weekly Most Anticipated Book of the Year
An unflinching look at police brutality and systemic racism in America. --Bustle
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
A distressing yet empowering portrait of a black teenager confronting relentless racism, brutality, and tragedy. --Publishers Weekly
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
Jay Coles' powerful, anguished debut novel...garners worthy comparisons to 2017's award-winning The Hate U Give. --BookPage
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
Uncompromising and intense, this heart-wrenching novel sends out an anguished cry for justice to all who are willing to hear. --Shelf Awareness
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
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
* 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
An impactful story.... Stirring and heartbreaking. --The Bulletin
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

Author Bio

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 jaycoleswriter.com.