A Good Kind of Trouble

By: Lisa Moore Ramée

Narrated by: Imani Parks

From debut author Lisa Moore Ramée comes this funny and big-hearted debut middle grade novel about friendship, family, and standing up for what’s right, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give and the novels of Renée Watson and Jason Reynolds.

Twelve-year-old Shayla is allergic to trouble. All she wants to do is to follow the rules. (Oh, and she’d 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, it’s like all the rules have changed. Now she’s suddenly questioning who her best friends are and some people at school are saying she’s not black enough. Wait, what?

Shay’s sister, Hana, is involved in Black Lives Matter, but Shay doesn't think that's 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 doesn't face her fear, she'll be forever tripping over the next hurdle. Now that’s trouble, for real.

""Tensions are high over the trial of a police officer who shot an unarmed Black man. When the officer is set free, and Shay goes with her family to a silent protest, she starts to see that some trouble is worth making."" (Publishers Weekly, ""An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List"")

AMAZING WRITING!

I love the story! It had important things that there are happening currently! I love the story! I recommend it!

understanding young girls

Complex ideas presented in accessible and relatable format. The turmoil and complexities of 7th grade girls is accurately captured.

Culturally Relevance

I loved this book as a teacher and as a mother. It allowed for conversation and internal growth.

This author is amazing and the narrator did an amazing job bringing this book to life.

AMAZING!!

I absolutely LOVED this book! I can't wait to listen to it again and again.

Awesome and Real

I couldn’t stop listening to the book. For kids it made such a strong effort to consider the intersectionality if identity and how that impacts relationships. I can’t wait to read this with my students.