The #Sexy #Nerd #Book #Review...One of the Good Ones...#OneOftheGoodOnes #NetGalley

 

The Hate U Give meets Get Out in this honest and powerful exploration of prejudice in the stunning novel from sister-writer duo Maika and Maritza Moulite, authors of Dear Haiti, Love Alaine.

ISN'T BEING HUMAN ENOUGH? 

When teen social activist and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances after attending a social justice rally, her devastated sister Happi and their family are left reeling in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered. Perfect. Angelic. 

One of the good ones. 

Even as the phrase rings wrong in her mind—why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed?—Happi and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way, using an heirloom copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book as their guide. But there's a twist to Kezi's story that no one could've ever expected—one that will change everything all over again. 

The Sexy Nerd's Review

The Internet. Social Media. Youth. Racism. Woke! Heritage. Generations. Sisters. Parents. Friends. Loss. Love. What do you get when you put all those words together? An Oprah Book Club worthy novel! Oooh! My! God! Did I fall in love with these characters, story, and the whole nine! Where shall I begin? 

A parent’s worst nightmare is the loss of a child, and to add insult to injury, when the loss of that child was due to a senseless act. Kezi Smith grew up in a God-fearing household with two parents who were pastors. It was one thing for her to have very religious parents, but she was also under the watchful eyes of two sisters, Genny and Happi. Kezi was the middle child and everyone knows what is usually said about the one in the middle, but Kezi played her role well and was the jewel in the family. 

Kezi ran a successful YouTube channel and had hundreds of thousands of followers. Kezi was all the way woke when it came to African-American history and especially the history of her own family. So much so, that she began researching her family’s heritage. Her good friend Ximena’s grandmother possessed a copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book which is a book that was provided to black motorists back-in-the-day to navigate throughout the United States without getting themselves killed. Kezi thought it would be a wonderful journey to use the book to take a cross-country trip on the infamous Route 66. She researched this idea so well she put all the stops on her channel for her followers to tag along and learn a little something too. 

While Kezi was getting her trip coordinated, a young black man was killed by a white police officer, yet again! Umph, this was nothing knew to Kezi and her family. They watched the news and could hear the whispers throughout the community about how police brutality was killing our people. Kezi decides that she cannot take it anymore. This time she was going to get up close and personal with racism and face it head on. When Kezi advised her family she planned to attend the protest, immediately she was met with resistance. 

Her parents flat out denied her and put the brakes on such a notion. They did not want to be the next parents standing at a podium advising people not to get violent and cause chaos throughout the community. There wasn’t any way Kezi was going to that protest. Well, Kezi was 18-years old. She’s grown. She was gonna do what she wanted to do! Her followers expected this of her. She and her bestie, Ximena, head on down to the protest. 

Needless to say, the young teens were excited to be out and among the people. Fists pumping in the air, police standing guard with riot gear on, protestors chanting—the energy was intoxicating! Kezi has her camera streaming live to her followers when she spots a white police officer and a black man getting ready to stand off with each other. She focuses in and while doing so, another white police officer spots her filming the whole thing. And that, readers, is where our story takes off down the road! 

My goodness, when I tell you I loved this story, that is truly an understatement. I was so impressed with the building of this story and the strong characters that inhibited the pages. Sisters Genny and Happi have to learn how to deal with the loss of their sister. I enjoyed their growth throughout the story. The lessons these young women learn about Kezi and themselves is truly remarkable. Again, I say, I’m not sure why this book isn’t on Oprah’s Book Club list? If it is and I’m not aware, my bad, but if it isn’t there, it most definitely should be! The Moulite authors did an amazing job showing each character’s interaction and backstory that eventually get woven into a huge comforter that you will take solace in its warmth and want to remain for eternity. This book was amazing! 

The Sexy Nerd gives One of the Good Ones five more ones. This story truly takes you on a journey that is painful and scary to view, but one that you can’t tear your eyes from. You will want to take this ride with sisters Genny and Happi. What they reveal to you is astounding! Readers, this is definitely one to read in 2021. One of the Good Ones goes on sale Tues., January 5, 2021. Make sure you get a copy at your favorite book retailers. Until next time, Nerds, open a book and get mind blown! 

Open a Book and get mind blown!!!!