Chosen by the American Library Association as Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Retaliation exposes violence from the perspective of everyone in the community– bullies, gangbangers, victims, police, and parents. 

Official Book Review: Yasmin Shiraz explores the myriad of problems that result from exacting revenge in her latest book, Retaliation: What Would You Do If…

Tashera Odom lives her life beneath the radar to avoid unwanted attention and trouble. Being a teenager is hard enough without having to deal with the ever-present violence of a Washington D.C neighborhood. Seventeen year-old, Tashera does not allow herself to get caught up in the madness that surrounds her. She keeps her focus on school and tucks away money that she earns doing hair. She treats everyone with respect and demands it from others, especially her boyfriend and basketball star, Ahmed. When Tashera is suddenly attacked, her loved ones demand revenge, setting off a string of life-altering events that threaten to destroy the lives of Tashera, her family and her classmates.

Yasmin Shiraz offers an entertaining, straight-forward, and no-holds-barred story about choices and consequences. Readers can relate to the characters and the mistakes that they make. Shiraz talks to teens on their level and presents a variety of choices and options for the characters and readers to consider regarding everyday themes such as family, friendship, peer pressure, dating, gangs and violence. Shiraz also holds parents responsible for their choices and actions. She encourages parents and teens to work as a team in order to provide a safe and healthy environment for their family. The book club questions and conflict management tips included in the book make Retaliation a great tool for teens and their parents.

Reviewed by M. P. McKinney
APOOO BookClub

Heralded as one of the most important books of this generation dealing with youth violence…