Title: One of the Good Ones
Author: Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite
ISBN: 9781335426253
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Copyright Date: 2021
Genre: Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Realistic Fiction,
Format: Novel
Reading Level/Interest Level: Grades 9-12, Ages 13-17
Awards or Honors: None
Plot Summary
Teen history fanatic and social justice warrior, Kezi, attends a rally against police brutality on her 18th birthday, only to never make it home. Arrested by police and taken to jail, she is mysteriously killed in police custody and becomes a martyr to the public, labeled as “one of the good ones” who had a bright future ahead of her. In Kezi’s honor, Genny and Happi take on what was supposed to be her graduation celebration: a cross-country road trip using Route 66 and the historic Negro Motorist Green Book guiding their way. Happi never had a great relationship with Kezi but is brought along on this road trip to grieve the loss of her sister and connect with her even in death. Genny spearheads the documentation of this trip for Kezi’s massive Youtube following in order to honor her sister’s memory and carry through with the work she did in organizing the road trip.
An alternate timeline depicting events in Kezi, Happi, and Genny’s family history is told through the eyes of their Great Grandmother Evelyn and her journey across the country in the 1930s and 40s during the Jim Crow Era. In the present day, the sisters unknowingly re-create much of the journey their ancestors traveled and come face-to-face with their tragic family backstory. As Happi and Genny continue their trip, they start to learn more about their sister through each stop on Route 66 and must come to terms with what her death means to them individually and as a family.
Author Background
Maika and Maritza Moulite, two of the four daughters in their family, are a sister-writing-duo that have written two young adult novels together, with a third coming in Fall 2023. Originally born in Florida, both women are currently pursuing their PhDs: Maika at Howard University and Maritza at the University of Pennsylvania (Moulite & Moulite, n.d.).
Critical Evaluation
If I had to choose one word to describe this novel, it would be powerful. The Moulite sisters have spun a story that is heartbreaking, beautiful, and poignant. Interweaving multiple storylines (they have 4) is no simple feat, and they have done so in a way that while at first doesn’t seem to make sense, comes together to paint a full picture of Kezi and her ancestor’s stories. Policy brutality and the murder of Black men and women at the hands of police is a tragic part of our history in America, and this novel focuses on the grief felt by the families in the wake of this violence. This novel also asks a question that may be hard for some to stomach: what does it mean to be “one of the good ones” and why is it only unacceptable for certain people to die? This idea is explored by all the storylines in this novel, and while we may not receive an answer, it surely leaves you thinking long after you have turned the last page.
There is a twist ending at the conclusion of this book that I wanted to mention as well. While the ending is pretty unrealistic, reading the justification by the authors (I’ll omit this to avoid spoilers) makes the choice understandable and even more powerful.
Creative Use for a Library Program
Organize a virtual road trip tour of all the Green Book stops on Kezi’s list, complete with photos arranged by the teen advisory group or teen volunteers.
Speed-Round Book Talk
Are some human lives expendable? What about those classified as “good ones?” Reeling from the murder of their sister Kezi at the hands of police, Happi and Genny take up her mantle of documenting a trip across America with the Negro Motorist Green Book to guide them. Faced with ancestral trauma, what they thought they knew about their sister, and the loss of her death, Happi and Genny must contend with forces beyond themselves to connect with Kezi, even in death.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
There are no challenges to date for this book, which is relatively free of any offensive material like language or violence. The debate surrounding police brutality is certainly polarizing, and I can imagine those on the opposite spectrum of the opinion given by this book may find problems with the content. As librarians, we do not censor any materials, and the authors of this book have a right to publish it.
Reason for Inclusion
One of the Good Ones portrays a unique perspective that will appeal to teens from all backgrounds. In the wake of the 2020 protests of the murder of George Floyd and countless other Black men and women, this novel is as timely as ever. Teens of color as well as allies will appreciate the spotlight this novel casts on police brutality and giving these three sisters a voice.
References
Moulite, M. & Moulite, M. (n.d.). About. Maika and Maritza. https://www.maikaandmaritza.com/about-us
Moulite, M. & Moulite, M. (2021). One of the good ones [Cover Image]. Inkyard Press. Retrieved from https://www.maikaandmaritza.com/one-of-the-good-ones
New York Public Library. (n.d.). The 1947, 1948, 1955, 1956, and 1960 covers of the green book [Image]. NYPL Digital Collections. Retrieved from https://publicdomain.nypl.org/greenbook-map/
Saguarsorceress. (2020, November 26). Desertcore aesthetic [Image]. Tumblr. https://saguarosorceress.tumblr.com/post/635879433920806912/desertcore-aesthetic-my-oc
The-stars-and-moons. (2020, June 2). Black lives matter [Image]. Tumblr. https://the-stars-and-moons.tumblr.com/post/619833982617534464/black-lives-matter
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