Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog. As I was going through my TBR pile to see the next book to read and I came across this book. I wanted to read this novel because I don't have much knowledge about police brutality and I wish I do. Especially when in the month of May when a man name George Floyd was killed by police because of his skin color. It broke my heart, and this keeps happening. I wish that the police brutality in America ends. Now let's begin with the summary. 

Tyler with his town Marvin goes to a party, Marvin wanted to go so that he can keep an eye on his brother then the shooting happened that is followed by a police raid. Then the next day, Tyler goes missing, Marvin wants to find his brother and later there was a video leaked online that tells the real reason of what happened to Tyler, it showed that he was shot and killed by a police officer. Not only his mom was heartbroken and terrified, but Tyler has also become a hashtag. Marvin wanted to learn the real meaning of justice and freedom.

The main aspect of the story is that Marvin's dad is in prison even though he didn't do anything, he is a good man. Marvin is the only one who is taking care of the family and when Tyler went missing, Marvin hoped that nothing bad happened to his brother. That one day Tyler will return home but sadly it didn't happen. 

After Tyler was found, Marvin and his mom have decided to fight back, to show the world of what the cop have done to them. Marvin wants to keep fighting back. He with his mom and his friends did the protest, so many people with different cultural backgrounds joined the protest. 

Another aspect of the story is Marvin had an interview at MIT, the principal didn't want a black person to get into that kind of college and thinks that since Marvin lost his brother he can get anything he wants. And everyone kept telling him that MIT is one of the best schools. But Marvin wasn't sure if that is what he really wants. And most of all he hated that Tyler doesn't get to have a future yet Marvin will be going to college. 

This is one the quotes from the novel, "I tell myself that I love this skin, that I've always loved my blackness, that if the world doesn't love me, I will love myself for the both of us." It shows that there are people out there who think that the officer didn't do anything wrong and doesn't want to be open-minded. But Marvin wouldn't let that get in the way of this happiness and he will always believe that things will be different, for his twin brother. 

Let's summarize it up, Marvin's twin brother Tyler was killed by a police officer and Marvin wants to bring the justice. 

Here are the similar books to read - 

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas

With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Felix Ever After

I give this book a 4.9/5. This book is so good to read. I hope everyone has a good day and I will see you soon.