[4.25] One couldn’t ask for a book with a greater array of timely topics: racial tensions, white privilege, societal stereotypes and police brutality. It skillfully explores these complex issues through the eyes of teenaged protagonists who view the struggles from different perspectives. The story becomes marginally repetitive in the second half, and I do wish we had learned a bit more about a couple characters — including the offending police officer — before the final chapters. Nevertheless, “All-American Boys” is powerful book that merits being placed on school reading lists. ( )

this broke me in the best and most necessary way possible. we need books like this. if you haven’t read it, you need to. now.

content warnings for this book: police brutality, assault, racial profiling, racism, antiblackness, discussions of deaths of black people caused by police but not depicted, discussions of gun violence mentioned but not depicted, death of a parent mentioned frequently but not depicted (let me know if there are any more i need to tag) ( )

This is an eye-opening book because it examines police brutality and racism through the lenses of American teen-agers, who are simultaneously experiencing the dark realities of the world while trying to understand it and find their place in it. The book is a page-turner and prompts many questions about right and wrong in the reader's mind. ( )

This book surprised me with how much I loved it, how important I feel it is. The story is, of course, timely; rotating between points of view of two young men, one a victim of police brutality, the other an observer and friend of the police officer's family. The two authors managed to balance the story and show the politicization of both young men to protest police violence and the racism that occurs in their daily lives. Very well done, highly recommended. ( )

A Junior Library Guild Selection; ages 12 and up