2019 reading challenge: A book you think should become a movie.

I'm Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


4.5 stars.

This is one of those books that I never would have normally picked for myself but I needed a new audio, hoped it would fit a reading challenge category and it was available right away. And I'm glad I listened to it. The story was gripping, moving, emotional and relevant.

Campbell is a white girl recently moved to a deep southern city from Pennsylvania to live with her father while her mother moves to Venesuela for a job (parents are divorced). She doesn't feel like she fits in, and honestly really hasn't tried. This school is not like her old one and she feels isolated and alone. She gets talked into working the concession stand at a school football game by one of the teachers.

Lena is a black girl who grew up in the city and is ALL THAT. Dope boyfriend, killer style and attitude for days. She goes to the football game to see the halftime entertainment that her friends are performing.

Shortly after the halftime show, but before the game restarts, Lena goes to the concession stand to get a drink. While in line, things get ugly fast. A group of white boys start calling a group of black boys derogatory names and a fight breaks out. Lena escapes into the concession stand for safety. While she and Campbell huddle for safety, the cops arrive and there are gunshots.

Quickly Lena and Campbell realize they need to team up to get out safely and hook up with Lena's boyfriend who can give them a ride to their houses. However, the boyfriend is not helpful and the girls set off on their own trying to find him... only to discover that the fight at the school has erupted into a full blown riot in the streets.

It's up to each other to keep each other safe. If that's possible during the most terrifying night of their lives.

The audiobook for this was amazing, in part because of the two women who read for Lena and Campbell. Each chapter flips between each of the girls' pov's.

I would recommend this for a contemporary issues YA read.



View all my reviews