Twelve-year-old Shayla is allergic to trouble. All she wants to do is to follow the rules. (Oh, and shea�TMd also like to make it through seventh grade with her best friendships intact, learn to run track, and have a cute boy see past her giant forehead.)
But in junior high, ita�TMs like all the rules have changed. Now shea�TMs suddenly questioning who her best friends are and some people at school are saying shea�TMs not black enough. Wait, what?
Shaya�TMs sister, Hana, is involved in Black Lives Matter, but Shay doesna�TMt think thata�TMs for her. After experiencing a powerful protest, though, Shay decides some rules are worth breaking. She starts wearing an armband to school in support of the Black Lives movement. Soon everyone is taking sides. And she is given an ultimatum.
Shay is scared to do the wrong thing (and even more scared to do the right thing), but if she doesna�TMt face her fear, shea�TMll be forever tripping over the next hurdle. Now thata�TMs trouble, for real.
Age Range: 8-12 | Grade Level: 3-7 | Lexile Measure: 720L