Overview

A Washington Post KidsPost Summer Book Club Pick! Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Kelly Yang, readers will love this heartfelt and genuine story about building community, finding family, and the power of Black girl magic.  Bella “Unfadeable” Fades is determined to stay out of trouble. A wiser-than-her-years graffiti artist known for tagging walls and bridges in her Indianapolis neighborhood, the Land, Bella plans to spend her summer break laying low and steering clear of anyone who might tip off to social services that she’s living on her own. But keeping a low profile is all but impossible when Bella discovers people in high places are trying to defund the Land. She has to find a way to fight back. Getting involved will mean putting herself out there—making connections with unlikely friends and attracting potential enemies. But if Bella doesn’t put her trust in her neighbors and learn how to bring her community together, her home—and her future—will never be the same.

Full Product Details

9780062796349

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Reviews

Praise for THE USUAL SUSPECTS: Readers will love watching these two uniquely gifted black boys explore the complicated tensions between impulses and choices, independence and support, turnin' up and getting through. -- <em>Kirkus Reviews </em><strong>(starred review)</strong> A rare and much-needed glimpse into the world of exceptional learners. -- School Library Journal [Broaddus] sheds revealing light on the nature of systemic profiling, based on class, race, and neurodiversity, at schools and within society. -- <em>Publishers Weekly</em> Through its discerning, young Black protagonist, [The Usual Suspects] tackles difficult subjects with nuance, humor, and heart, always bringing it back to the characters. A great choice for upper middle-graders in search of a fun and meaningful read. -- ALA Booklist I want this book, so full of wit and intelligence, raw honesty and clever plotting, to be so well known that when I say The Usual Suspects to a room of librarians, their first thoughts involve neither Casablanca or Keyser Soze but this work by Maurice Broaddus. -- School Library Journal Review of the Day

Unforgettable. A must-buy for readers who enjoy books by Kelly Yang, Jason Reynolds, and Chrystal D. Giles. - School Library Journal (starred review) Readers will immediately root for [Bella] throughout this well-paced story that addresses the impact of gentrification and the power of young voices. The clear narration sends readers a strong message about civic responsibility and how they're never too young to get involved in decision-making that affects their communities. - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Praise for THE USUAL SUSPECTS: Readers will love watching these two uniquely gifted black boys explore the complicated tensions between impulses and choices, independence and support, turnin' up and getting through. - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A rare and much-needed glimpse into the world of exceptional learners. - School Library Journal [Broaddus] sheds revealing light on the nature of systemic profiling, based on class, race, and neurodiversity, at schools and within society. - Publishers Weekly Through its discerning, young Black protagonist, [The Usual Suspects] tackles difficult subjects with nuance, humor, and heart, always bringing it back to the characters. A great choice for upper middle-graders in search of a fun and meaningful read. - ALA Booklist I want this book, so full of wit and intelligence, raw honesty and clever plotting, to be so well known that when I say The Usual Suspects to a room of librarians, their first thoughts involve neither Casablanca or Keyser Soze but this work by Maurice Broaddus. - School Library Journal Review of the Day

Author Information

Maurice Broaddus graduated in 1993 from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis and holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology. He works as an environmental toxicologist for a local firm, Commonwealth Biomonitoring. He comes from a family that includes several practicing obeah (think: Jamaican voodoo) people, but is now the facilitator for the church, The Dwelling Place. He is married with two children.His areas of interests includes religious studies, folklore, and myths. His previous book was the novella Orgy of Souls, written with Wrath James White. He says he only wants to get famous enough to be able to snub people at

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