All You Have to Do
- Subject
- Social Themes - Activism & Social Justice
- Age
- 9-12 years
- Format
- Hardcover
- Pages
- 432
- Publisher
- Kokila
- Size
- 14.9 cm × 21.9 cm
- ISBN
- 9780593619049
Powerful, thought-provoking, and heartfelt, this young adult novel is a gripping look at what it takes (and takes and takes) for two Black students to succeed in prestigious academic institutions in America.
“Beautifully immerses the reader in the stories of two young Black student activists and their shared personal struggles that transcend decades.”—Ibram X. Kendi, author of Stamped from the Beginning, winner of the National Book Award
Being a Black kid in an elite school is not easy, but it’s a privilege. It is a path to “success.” What kind of success, though? And what price do you have to pay for it? You can’t think about that if you want to graduate. And you must graduate. After all, generations of your people fought to get you here.
Just focus on your future. That’s all you have to do. But can you?
All You Have to Do is a page-turning, heartfelt story about two young men attending prestigious schools nearly thirty years apart, and the powerful ways in which their lives connect.
In 1968, in the wake of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, Kevin joins his fellow students as they stage a sit-in to protest Columbia University’s yearslong expansion into Morningside Heights at the expense of its residents, the majority of whom are African American. And the protesters are up against more than just their school. . . .
In 1995, Gibran’s request to have a group of Black students from his prep school attend the Million Man March is met with criticism, suspicion, and condescension. Gibran writes an open letter about racism at the school, but his protest only leads to more trouble. . . .
To discover who they want to be, these two young men must challenge the ways society and family define them . . . and with each step, they risk losing the opportunities their parents worked hard to provide.
“Beautifully immerses the reader in the stories of two young Black student activists and their shared personal struggles that transcend decades.”—Ibram X. Kendi, author of Stamped from the Beginning, winner of the National Book Award
Being a Black kid in an elite school is not easy, but it’s a privilege. It is a path to “success.” What kind of success, though? And what price do you have to pay for it? You can’t think about that if you want to graduate. And you must graduate. After all, generations of your people fought to get you here.
Just focus on your future. That’s all you have to do. But can you?
All You Have to Do is a page-turning, heartfelt story about two young men attending prestigious schools nearly thirty years apart, and the powerful ways in which their lives connect.
In 1968, in the wake of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, Kevin joins his fellow students as they stage a sit-in to protest Columbia University’s yearslong expansion into Morningside Heights at the expense of its residents, the majority of whom are African American. And the protesters are up against more than just their school. . . .
In 1995, Gibran’s request to have a group of Black students from his prep school attend the Million Man March is met with criticism, suspicion, and condescension. Gibran writes an open letter about racism at the school, but his protest only leads to more trouble. . . .
To discover who they want to be, these two young men must challenge the ways society and family define them . . . and with each step, they risk losing the opportunities their parents worked hard to provide.
Data provided by BiblioShare.
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What reviewers said
Best Books of Fall 2023 People Magazine • Black Caucus American Library Association Best of the Best 2023 • Kirkus The Best Young Adult Books of 2023 • 2024 Texas Tayshas Reading List • NCSS-CBC 2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People • 2024 Bank Street Best Children’s Books • 2024 Massachusetts Book Award Masterlist (Massachusetts)
“All You Have To Do is a tutorial in time. We don't simply travel through time here; we travel with time through the bending and breaking of power and tradition. Autumn Allen has created a book that counts its readers as its most important characters while examining how we fight for dignity in different, but very similar generations. Incredible art-making!”—Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy: An American Memoir, winner of the Andrew Carnegie medal for Excellence in Nonfiction
“All You Had To Do beautifully immerses the reader in the stories of two young Black student activists and their shared personal struggles that transcend decades. It is a stunning debut novel.”—Ibram X. Kendi, author of Stamped from the Beginning, winner of the National Book Award
“Autumn Allen has offered a rare and refreshing glimpse into Black boyhood in elite schools on the precipice of two vital moments in American history. All You Have To Do is a profound and empathetic statement on the costs of striving for excellence against all odds. Allen is a writer to watch!”
“Allen constructs a vivid narrative that balances both timelines seamlessly and pointedly highlights often overlooked history. The crisp, succinct prose and fully realized characters make this a shining example of how principled research in lock step with exceptional writing creates an unforgettable reading experience. An electric debut: a must-read for all.”
“Allen highlights two Black teens’ parallel struggles for racial justice, 27 years apart, in this powerful debut. Through Gibran and Kevin’s individual exploits of equality and accountability, fully fleshed-out characters, and skillfully cultivated narrative tension, Allen creates a layered debut that is timely and resonant.”
