Black Kids, The

Ashley, from a wealthy African American family in an affluent neighbourhood near Los Angeles, attends an exclusive mostly white high school and her charmed life, and that of her family and friends, changes forever with the death of Rodney King and the acquittal of the officers involved. Ashley must face issues of racism and learn to accept herself, her identity, and her black culture. This relevant and engaging novel deals with timely issues of racism, social justice, personal growth, personal identity, loss, struggle for cultural awareness and acceptance, and empathy, and is suitable for a class novel or literature circle in grades 11 and 12.