Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman

By: Kristen R. Lee

Narrated by: Kacie Rogers

A striking debut novel about a college freshman grappling with the challenges of attending an elite university with a disturbing racist history, which may not be as distant as it seems.

"A searing debut.” –Entertainment Weekly

Savannah Howard thought everyone followed the same checklist to get into Wooddale University:

Take the hardest classes

Get perfect grades

Give up a social life to score a full ride to a top school

But now that she’s on campus, it’s clear there’s a different rule book. Take student body president, campus royalty, and racist jerk Lucas Cunningham. It’s no secret money bought his acceptance letter. And he’s not the only one. Savannah tries to keep to head down, but when the statue of the university’s first Black president is vandalized, how can she look away? Someone has to put a stop to the injustice. But will telling the truth about Wooddale’s racist past cost Savannah her own future?

First-time novelist Kristen R. Lee delivers a page-turning, thought-provoking story that exposes racism and hypocrisy on college campuses, and champions those who refuse to let it continue.

Critic reviews

★ "Highly recommended. This is a fast-paced, plot-driven novel that tackles topics of racism, elitism, and intersections of those and other concerns of college freshman." —SLJ, starred review

"A moving and authentic exploration of one young woman’s moral compass.” —Kirkus Reviews

"With a world of sass and more than a hint of Black girl magic, Lee gives readers a quintessential coming-of-age novel that leaves us pining for more of Sav annah’s heroism.” —Booklist

"Lee’s thoughtful debut, a timely, quickly paced look at the trauma Black students often face in white institutions, brings a refreshingly vulnerable honesty to this narrative centering one Black collegiate transition.” —Publishers Weekly

"A voice that will stick with you long after you read the last word." -Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin

“Scathing, honest, and impassioned.” - Adib Khorram, Award-winning author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay

“Raw, authentic, honest. This thought-provoking debut is equal parts call-out and call to action.” –J. Elle, New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Ebony

eye opening

I truly enjoyed this production. It is not just a coming to age story. It's not just a black story. It's time to stand up for yourself and who you truly are story. The story is rich in perspectives that, as a white woman, I can only imagine. The author offers authenticity to issues we hear about in the news but don't truly understand. This story is so well written and Savannah becomes a friend and you can't help to understand her struggle and be proud of her strength.