A young man searches for answers
after the death of his brother at the hands of police in this striking debut
novel, for readers of The Hate U Give.
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, a video leaked online 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.
Tyler Johnson Was Here is a powerful
and moving portrait of youth and family that speaks to the serious issues of
today--from gun control to the Black Lives Matter movement.
* "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
"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
* "Unforgettable....Coles' exploration of brotherhood, grief, friendship, and familial ties is as moving and relevant as its exploration of racism."―Booklist, starred review
"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