Take Back the Block, Chrystal D. Giles
Take Back the Block, Chrystal D. Giles
List: $20.00 | Sale: $14.00
Club: $10.00

Take Back the Block

Author: Chrystal D. Giles

Narrator: Genesis Oliver, Chrystal D. Giles

Unabridged: 5 hr 8 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/09/2021


Synopsis

"This book made me want to step aside, hand over the mic, and listen to Wes. A must-read." --Mariama J. Lockington, author of For Black Girls Like Me

Brand-new kicks, ripped denim shorts, Supreme tee--

Wes Henderson has the best style in sixth grade. That--and hanging out with his crew (his best friends since little-kid days) and playing video games--is what he wants to be thinking about at the start of the school year, not the protests his parents are always dragging him to.

But when a real estate developer makes an offer to buy Kensington Oaks, the neighborhood Wes has lived his whole life, everything changes. The grownups are supposed to have all the answers, but all they're doing is arguing. Even Wes's best friends are fighting. And some of them may be moving. Wes isn't about to give up the only home he's ever known. Wes has always been good at puzzles, and he knows there has to be a missing piece that will solve this puzzle and save the Oaks. But can he find it . . . before it's too late?

Exploring community, gentrification, justice, and friendship, Take Back the Block introduces an irresistible 6th grader and asks what it means to belong--to a place and a movement--and to fight for what you believe in.
 
* "Outstanding."—School Library Journal, Starred Review
 
* “Transformative.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Filled with hope, friendship, and grit." --Stacy McAnulty, best-selling author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

"Timely and penetrating." --Kelly Starling Lyons, author of Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations

"Chrystal Giles's sparkling debut will have you standing up and cheering." --Lisa Yee, award winning author of Millicent Min, Girl Genius

"Chrystal Giles really nailed it. I loved this book." --Linda Williams Jackson, award winning author of Midnight Without a Moon

"Necessary and inspiring. An empowering read." --Ashley Herring Blake, author of the Stonewall Honor Book Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World

"Wes will welcome middle grade readers into his delightful circle of friends, his strong and loving family, and his powerful community." --Barbara Dee, author of the ALA Notable Children's Book Maybe He Just Likes You

About The Author

Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity and representation in children’s literature, and made her debut with Take Back the Block, which has received multiple starred reviews. Chrystal was a 2018 We Need Diverse Books mentee, and her poem “Dimples” appears in the poetry anthology Thanku: Poems of Gratitude (Millbrook). Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son and is currently working on her next middle grade novel. Visit her at chrystaldgiles.com and @creativelychrys. 


Reviews

Goodreads review by CW ✨

Put this book on your to-read lists immediately. Take Back the Block is a story about gentrification, fighting for what is important, while also navigating change, friendships, and school. I loved loved LOVED this and I think everyone should read this come 2021. - Follows Wes, a Black boy who reluctan......more

Goodreads review by Linda

This book needs to be on the shelves of EVERY elementary school and public library. I can't wait for the world to meet Wes. I'm glad I did. Grateful to the publisher for providing me an early copy in advance of publication.......more

Take Back the Block is an insightful, inspiring, and hearty middle-grade book about community, friendship, and speaking up. This realistic debut also touches on poverty and homelessness as well as navigating a pre-pubescent crush. If you enjoy reading books by Black authors about social issues, then......more


Quotes

★ "The story echoes contemporary realities that, as its culmination indicates, take an entire community to confront, and it will undoubtedly push readers into action. An ambitious invitation for young readers that delivers promise for all." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "This impressive debut is notable for its depiction of how gentrification pushes the working-class poor out of neighborhoods, as well as substantive ways that communities can protest, all for a middle grade audience. Wes is a humorous, likable, relatable narrator. . . . Giles has crafted an outstanding depiction of the nuances of gentrification as well as the struggle and joys of working-class Black families and communities." —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“A timely, relatable story about family, friendship, community, and racism. The underlying message: you are never too young to make your voice heard.”—The Horn Book
 
"Timely and penetrating." --Kelly Starling Lyons, author of Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations
 
"Chrystal Giles's sparkling debut will have you standing up and cheering."—Lisa Yee, National Book Award Finalist

"Filled with hope, friendship, and grit." --Stacy McAnulty, author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

"Chrystal Giles really nailed it. I loved this book." —Linda Williams Jackson, author of Midnight Without a Moon

"Necessary and inspiring. An empowering read." —Ashley Herring Blake, author of the Stonewall Honor Book Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World


Awards

  • Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award