This is not a book I could relate to, but it's one I appreciate. Bryan, the narrator, is a middle school boy trying to navigate masculinity and friendship in a culture that both esteems/expects and punishes the ability to stand up for oneself. He gets mixed messages from his dad, who's in and out of jail due to frequent fights. Luke Cage, the Marvel superhero, also sends conflicting messages of black manhood; Luke is a badass protector, stronger than his enemies, and, most importantly, doesn't feel pain. Yet when Bryan tries to channel him, he gets into trouble. And when he tries to lie low, avoiding drama, fights and false friendships are always on the edges of his interactions, threatening violence.

I can't imagine growing up in that tension, but I know there are many, including kids in my life, who are navigating similar paths. I'm grateful for this book for giving me a glimpse into what they deal with, and hopeful that this book can help them navigate it more safely.