Dashka Slater: The 57 Bus

 I picked this one up to possibly use in my AP class. It had been recommended to me by one of my coworkers and I was trying to decide if it was worth using in AP.

The 57 Bus recounts the true story of two teens whose happenstance meeting on a public bus in Oakland, California. Sasha identified as nonbinary, liked to wear skirts, and went to a private school in Oakland. Richard was a black student, a good kid, but also tended to get mixed up in trouble. He went to a public school in Oakland's poorer side of town. One day, Sasha was riding the bus as they always did back to their house from school. This time though, Sasha fell asleep on the long ride. Richard and his friends boarded the bus as well, and seeing the skirt hanging off the edge of the seat, decided to see what would happen with a lighter. The material of the skirt burst into flames, and suddenly Sasha was burning.

This story is unbelievably sad for both teenagers involved. In working with teenagers, one thing is true: they are often impulsive. This crime was one of impulse. As the author explores the case, the fact that Sasha was nonbinary only matters because officers all but pressured Richard into saying he hated the LGBTQ+ community when he didn't really. It leads to serious charges for the teen, who had his whole life ahead of him.

On the other hand, there's Sasha, who had horrible injuries as a result of the incident. They also didn't know Richard and couldn't figure out why he would target them. The recovery from the incident was painful and slow, with far-reaching consequences. 

The case highlights the injustices within the justice system and the racial divides in Oakland. Those divides are present in other communities as well. It also highlights gangs and why they are so effective at recruiting teenagers to join. I thought the book was insightful, and it definitely made me shift my thinking.

As for using it in AP, I will probably use it. I feel that the writing isn't necessarily up to college level, but the ideas are more complex. Because I teach in a very conservative community, this is one I was cautious about introducing, but like I said before, the LGBTQ+ issues almost don't matter to the overall story. But it does challenge ideas about race and the criminal justice system.

I rate this book PG

I give it ⭐⭐⭐⭐