Shayla is getting ready to start 7th grade, but she isn't worried because her two best friends Isabella and Julia will be by her side. For years they have called themselves the United Nations. Julia is Asian, Isabella is Latinx, and Shayla is Black. Together, they will face anything.
Shayla is proud of the fact that she avoids trouble. Her itchy hands always warn her something bad is headed her way. Unfortunately, 7th grade seems to be nothing but trouble. She's assigned to be science lab partners with Bernard. He's huge and loud and flings his chair whenever he's angry. Her crush on Jace seems to be going nowhere. He smiles at her but seems more interested in her beautiful friend Isabella. The worst happens at the first school dance when Tyler approaches her and kisses her on a dare related to an annoying game everyone is playing except for Shayla. Now everyone thinks she and Tyler are an item.
There's tension at home as Shayla's sister attends Black Lives Matter protests and her family waits to hear the verdict in the case of a black woman killed by police. Shayla worries about her sister's safety as she tries to determine exactly how she feels about the racial tension filling their city.
Author Lisa Moore Ramee creatively connects to the current conflicts in our country. She captures the frustrations of unfair treatment and protests condemned by those who don't understand. A GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE is the perfect for helping middle grade readers think about the events of past and today and to stimulate productive discussions for change.
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