Reviewed by Edi Campbell
Review Source: Black Cotton Reviews
Book Author: Frederick Joseph
Frederick Joseph is a celebrated poet and nonfiction author. He writes to engage young readers in critical ways to understand how white supremacy and racism permeates our society while providing them with hope for true change. While this is his first work of fiction for young adults, he previously wrote The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person for this age group. Joseph can be found on Instagram.
In This Thing of Ours, Ossie Brown is a young, Black man whose basketball prowess has gotten him accepted into a prestigious, predominately white private high school. His career was suddenly derailed after an injury on the court. As an athlete, Ossie took his talent, and the privileges it gave him, for granted. But, when he was made to realize that he been given a platform, he had to decide how to use it. Continue reading on Black Cotton Reviews.
This Thing of Ours by Frederick Joseph
Published by Candlewick Press on May 6, 2025
Genres: JUVENILE FICTION
Pages: 384
Reading Level: High School
ISBN: 9781536244878
Publisher's Synopsis: In an instant, Ossie Brown’s entire future is in jeopardy when a torn ACL ends his promising basketball career. Now that basketball is no longer a major part of his identity, Ossie — a Black teen who doesn’t come from wealth and privilege — must navigate his new place in the social and academic ecosystems of his affluent, predominantly white school. When a Black teacher encourages him to join her highly regarded writing program, Ossie begins to find a new purpose, buoyed by not only the rich works of literature by marginalized authors he’s now reading, but also by new friends who see him as something more than an asset to the sports program. Everything changes when some students’ viral “anti-woke” video puts the teacher’s job, the writing program, and even Ossie’s friends’ safety at risk — and Ossie must find his true voice. This unflinching novel confronts critical issues like racism and classism, the treatment of student athletes, homophobia, and book banning while weaving together a moving testament to family, romance, friendship, and the power of words.
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