How It Went Down

A 2015 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book When sixteen-year-old Tariq Johnson dies from two gunshot wounds, his community is thrown into an uproar. Tariq was black. The shooter, Jack Franklin, is white. In the aftermath of Tariq's death, everyone has something to say, but no two accounts of the events line up. Day by day, new twists further obscure the truth. Tariq's friends, family, and community struggle to make sense of the tragedy, and to cope with the hole left behind when a life is cut short. In their own words, they grapple for a way to say with certainty: This is how it went down.

About the Author :
Kekla Magoon is the author of several books for young adults, including "37 Things I Love "and "The Rock and the River," winner of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award. She is a New York City-based writer, editor, speaker, and educator.

Review :
Praise for "How It Went Down" *""How It Went Down" is a snapshot in time, a fascinating study of people caught in the crosshairs of an "Event." . . . A particularly timely tale that can create dialogue and provide understanding about the decisions other people make, and the actions they take." - "VOYA," starred review"In "How It Went Down," Kekla Magoon deftly renders us witnesses to an all-too-common news flash in uncommon, unflinching prose. Gripping to the end." --Rita Williams-Garcia Newbery Honor winner, National Book Award finalist, and Coretta Scott King Award winner"A hard-hitting look at the ripple effects of one act of violence on an entire community. "How It Went Down" is engrossing and real--it's the right book at the right time." --Coe Booth "LA Times" Book Prize winner"Thoughtful and compassionate, beautifully composed, this book takes us inside what we think we know and shows us more." --Helen Frost Printz Honor winner"Kekla Magoon's "How It Went Down" (Holt, 2014), about a black teen who is shot by a white man, is . . . just the right title for young adults grappling with the headlines streaming in every day." --"School Library Journal"*"This sobering yet satisfying novel leaves readers to ponder the complex questions it raises." --"Kirkus Reviews," starred review*"Magoon masterfully captures the cycle of urban violence and the raw emotions of the young people who can't escape its impact." --"Publishers Weekly," starred review"Heartbreaking and unputdownable." --"School Library Journal" Praise for "How It Went Down" "In "How It Went Down," Kekla Magoon deftly renders us witnesses to an all-too-common news flash in uncommon, unflinching prose. Gripping to the end." --Rita Williams-Garcia Newbery Honor winner, National Book Award finalist, and Coretta Scott King Award winner"A hard-hitting look at the ripple effects of one act of violence on an entire community. "How It Went Down" is engrossing and real--it's the right book at the right time." --Coe Booth "LA Times" Book Prize winner"Thoughtful and compassionate, beautifully composed, this book takes us inside what we think we know and shows us more." --Helen Frost Printz Honor winner"Kekla Magoon's "How It Went Down" (Holt, 2014), about a black teen who is shot by a white man, is . . . just the right title for young adults grappling with the headlines streaming in every day." --"School Library Journal""This sobering yet satisfying novel leaves readers to ponder the complex questions it raises." --"Kirkus Reviews," starred review"Magoon masterfully captures the cycle of urban violence and the raw emotions of the young people who can't escape its impact." --"Publishers Weekly," starred review"Heartbreaking and unputdownable." --"School Library Journal" Praise for "How It Went Down" *"A racially charged shooting reveals the complicated relationships that surround a popular teen and the neighborhood that nurtured and challenged him . . . This sobering yet satisfying novel leaves readers to ponder the complex questions it raises." - "Kirkus Reviews", STARRED REVIEW"With a great hook and relatable characters, this will be popular for fans of realistic fiction. The unique storytelling style and thematic relevance will make it a potentially intriguing pick for classroom discussion." - "School Library Journal""Through this resonant chorus of voices, Magoon masterfully captures the cycle of urban violence and the raw emotions of the young people who can't escape its impact." - "Publishers Weekly" STARRED REVIEW Praise for "37 Things I Love" "Bittersweet and hopeful. . . . Chock-full of teen appeal, and fans of Gayle Forman's "If I Stay" will enjoy this equally quick yet emotionally charged story." --"Book Page ""Another powerful outing from a rising star." --"Kirkus Reviews " "Emotionally sensitive." --"BCCB " "[An] intelligent, affecting novel." --"Publishers Weekly " "There is much to this slim book--coming of age, death, hope, love--and Ellis is a character to care about and cheer on for a long, long time." --"The Horn Book" Praise for "How It Went Down" "With a great hook and relatable characters, this will be popular for fans of realistic fiction. The unique storytelling style and thematic relevance will make it a potentially intriguing pick for classroom discussion." - "School Library Journal"Praise for "37 Things I Love" "Bittersweet and hopeful. . . . Chock-full of teen appeal, and fans of Gayle Forman's "If I Stay" will enjoy this equally quick yet emotionally charged story." --"Book Page ""Another powerful outing from a rising star." --"Kirkus Reviews " "Emotionally sensitive." --"BCCB " "[An] intelligent, affecting novel." --"Publishers Weekly " "There is much to this slim book--coming of age, death, hope, love--and Ellis is a character to care about and cheer on for a long, long time." --"The Horn Book" Praise for "37 Things I Love" "Bittersweet and hopeful. . . . Chock-full of teen appeal, and fans of Gayle Forman's "If I Stay" will enjoy this equally quick yet emotionally charged story." --"Book Page ""Another powerful outing from a rising star." --"Kirkus Reviews " "Emotionally sensitive." --"BCCB " "[An] intelligent, affecting novel." --"Publishers Weekly " "There is much to this slim book--coming of age, death, hope, love--and Ellis is a character to care about and cheer on for a long, long time." --"The Horn Book"