The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives
“The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives” tells the true story of an incident in Oakland, California, where a teenager named Richard set fire to the skirt of another student, Sasha.
Despite living in the same city, Sasha and Richard came from contrasting backgrounds. Sasha, a white student, attended a private school in the affluent foothills, while Richard, who was black, went to a public school in the crime-troubled area. For a brief eight minutes each day, their lives intersected on the 57 bus. However, one fateful afternoon, a thoughtless action during the bus ride resulted in severe injuries for Sasha and serious legal charges for Richard, including two hate crimes that could lead to life in prison.
The book talks about their lives and what led to this event. It explores important issues like race, gender, class, and crime. The book shows how prejudice and misunderstanding can affect young people. It also talks about the criminal justice system and how it impacts teenagers.
"The 57 Bus" encourages us to think about the impact of our actions and the importance of understanding each other. It's a powerful story that teaches us about empathy and acceptance. The book starts important conversations about fairness, discrimination, and how we can create a more caring and inclusive world.
Author: Dashka Slater
Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/57-Bus-Story-Teenagers-Changed/dp/0374303231/
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars (from 3,693 reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #9,243 in Books
#1 in Teen & Young Adult LGBTQ+ Issues
#14 in Censorship & Politics
#351 in LGBTQ+ Books