Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Tyler Johnson Was Here
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 12/17/1995
WEBSITE: https://www.jaycoleswriter.com/
CITY: Indianapolis
STATE: IL
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born December 17, 1995.
EDUCATION:Vincennes University, graduated; Ball State University, graduated.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Musician, composer, educator, and writer.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Jay Coles is a musician, composer, educator, and writer based in Indianapolis, Indiana. He holds degrees from Vincennes University and Ball State University.
In 2018, Coles released his first novel, Tyler Johnson Was Here. He described the volume in an interview with a contributor to the Query Tracker website, stating: “It’s a young adult contemporary novel about three geeks that live in poverty, first kisses, nineties rap music, Oreos, violence, and The Big Bang Theory! One day, my main character’s twin brother goes missing. It turns out that his twin may actually be part of a horrible crime that may have been committed by a gang, or the police themselves.” Coles added: “The book is based off of a poem I wrote for my high school creative writing teacher. So, technically I’ve been writing it since then.” Its protagonist is a teenager named Marvin Johnson. He and his twin brother, Tyler, have been raised by their mother because their father has been in prison for most of their lives. As the twins approach graduation, tension between them arises. Marvin obeys his mother and works hard in school, hoping to be awarded a scholarship from MIT, while Tyler has begun staying out late with his questionable friends and falling behind in school. Marvin worries about Tyler and is saddened by the distance between them that seems to be increasing. Marvin and Tyler both attend a party, where gang members are present. A conflict breaks out, and the police come on the scene. Though Tyler is unarmed and does not provoke the cops, he is shot dead. Marvin is devastated by the killing of his brother and determines to clear Tyler’s name. He and his friends and family members hold vigils for Tyler. Marvin also becomes involved in protests against police violence, which ultimately end up dividing his community.
In an interview with Alice Cary, writer on the BookPage website, Coles explained that personal experienced inspired the story in Tyler Johnson Was Here. He stated: “My cousin lost his life to police violence when I was really young, maybe eight or nine. At the time, I had no idea what ‘police brutality’ meant, yet there was still so much anger and pain experienced by me and my family.” Coles continued: “When I was in high school, I remember seeing a lot of innocent black and brown boys and girls lose their lives to police violence on the news and social media. It felt like this tunnel of darkness that I couldn’t escape. It kept following me. I knew I had to do something to fight against that darkness, and it was to raise my voice, to speak up, to let out all the anger and frustration. …. So, I started writing Tyler Johnson Was Here.“
Critics offered mostly favorable assessments of the volume. “What this novel may lack in nuance, it makes up in heart, soul and ambition, providing an intimate, behind-the-scenes look,” asserted Cary, the BookPage writer in an article in the physical version of the publication. A contributor to Kirkus Reviews remarked: “While the author’s toolbox has some room for growth, he effectively dramatizes the human experience and ethical questions underpinning today’s Movement for Black Lives.” Matt Pavloff, reviewer in Voice of Youth Advocates, suggested: “Coles’s contemporary novel addresses real issues facing black teens in the U.S. today. It is a powerful story full of heart and it packs a deep emotional punch.” Booklist critic, Enishia Davenport, commented: “Its exploration of brotherhood, grief, friendship, and familial ties is as moving and relevant as its exploration of racism.” “This well-written, fast-paced story eloquently addresses how to grieve, plan, and participate in the burial of a loved one, a sensitive subject for all youth,” wrote Sabrina Carnesi in School Library Journal. Carnesi called the volume “a standout debut.” A contributor to the Teenreads website opined: “Tyler Johnson Was Here is a fast book to read, but the beginning was extremely slow, and it only starts to pick up the pace until halfway through the book. There were moments where it felt like nothing happened for pages on end. … If the pacing was changed a bit, then this book would have been more impactful.” However, the same contributor called the book “an intense novel with beautiful, clear, crisp writing.” A reviewer on the Arctic Books website suggested: “Jay Coles’ debut novel is infuriatingly moving. It’s filled with so much love, and I can’t imagine how rough and heavy yet ultimately satisfying writing this kind of book could be. Marvin Johnson, just like Starr Carter from The Hate U Give, is a well-developed MC, and I couldn’t imagine his story being told by anyone else. Tyler Johnson Was Here is a wonderfully heartbreaking book about the importance of family, the pains of losing a loved one, and the incessant need to fight for what is right and just.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, January 1, 2018, Enishia Davenport, review of Tyler Johnson Was Here, p. 94.
BookPage, April, 2018. Alice Cary, review of Tyler Johnson Was Here, p. 28.
Kirkus Reviews, February 1, 2018, review of Tyler Johnson Was Here.
School Library Journal, February, 2018. Sabrina Carnesi, review of Tyler Johnson Was Here, p. 100.
Voice of Youth Advocates, February, 2018. Matt Pavloff, review of Tyler Johnson Was Here, p. 53.
ONLINE
Arctic Books, https://arcticbooks.wordpress.com/ (March 19, 2018), review of Tyler Johnson Was Here.
BookPage Online, https://bookpage.com/ (April 9, 2018), Alice Cary, author interview.
Jay Coles website, https://www.jaycoleswriter.com/ (June 29, 2018).
Query Tracker, https://querytracker.net/ (June 29, 2018), author interview.
Teenreads, https://www.teenreads.com/ (March 27, 2018), review of Tyler Johnson Was Here.
Who is Jay?
JAY COLES is a young adult and middle grade writer, a composer with ASCAP, and a professional musician residing in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a graduate of Vincennes University and Ball State University and holds degrees in English and Liberal Arts. When he’s not writing diverse books, he’s advocating for them, teaching middle school students, and composing music for various music publishers. Jay’s forthcoming young adult novel TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE is about a boy whose life is torn apart by police brutality when his twin brother goes missing, inspired by events from the author’s life and the Black Lives Matter movement. You can pre-order Jay's book at Barnes and Noble or at Amazon.
All photography provided by Ruth Photography
FAQ
IS JAY YOUR REAL NAME OR PEN NAME?
Don't worry about it. Jay is a short version of the name I was born with. Guess away!
HOW OLD ARE YOU?
22.
WHEN IS YOUR BOOK COMING OUT?
It's coming your way March 20, 2018 from Little Brown for Young Readers! Pre-order now!
IS TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE YOUR FIRST BOOK?
Tyler Johnson Was Here is my debut novel.
CAN YOU VISIT MY SCHOOL?
I would love to! Contact my agent, Lauren E. Abramo at labramo@dystel.com. If you're inquiring about me visiting your school for music related things, please contact me directly at jaycolesmusic@gmail.com
CAN YOU COME TO MY EVENT?
Perhaps so! I would honestly love it. Contact my agent!
YOU'RE A COMPOSER, TOO? DO I KNOW ANY OF YOUR MUSIC.
Yes, I am part time composer and part time author. My music has been performed as widely as Japan, Italy, and all across the United States, and I'm excited to say that I have a few publishing houses that publishes my band music. All is eligible for TV/Film, but those inquiries need to be passed on to my music publishers: Carl Fischer and CL Barnhouse.
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN AUTHOR?
Write, write, write. Get people to read it. Edit, edit, edit. Get an agent to read it. (I'll expand on this soon!) Good luck!
QUOTED: "My cousin lost his life to police violence when I was really young, maybe eight or nine. At the time, I had no idea what 'police brutality' meant, yet there was still so much anger and pain experienced by me and my family."
"When I was in high school, I remember seeing a lot of innocent black and brown boys and girls lose their lives to police violence on the news and social media. It felt like this tunnel of darkness that I couldn’t escape. It kept following me. I knew I had to do something to fight against that darkness, and it was to raise my voice, to speak up, to let out all the anger and frustration. .... So, I started writing Tyler Johnson Was Here."
Web Exclusive – April 09, 2018
JAY COLES
"I had to do something to fight against that darkness, and it was to raise my voice"
BookPage interview by Alice Cary
Headlines about the shooting deaths of unarmed civilians at the hands of police are seemingly never-ending, and Jay Coles is engaging with this subject matter in his powerful, necessary and hype-worthy YA debut, Tyler Johnson Was Here. We asked Coles a few questions about his personal experiences with police brutality, connecting with his teen readers, his specially curated playlist and more.
Does it feel a bit unreal to have your first book published at such a young age? How did you find out about the great news, and how did you celebrate?
Yes! I’m incredibly lucky and incredibly humbled that I got my book (and name) out there at such a young age, which isn’t the norm in publishing. But when I signed with my agent, which was a huge deal for me in itself, I was certain people/publishers wouldn’t want my work. I code-switched in the text and it didn’t seem like those were stories publishers were asking for. Also, the subject matter of my manuscript felt very risky, even after The Hate U Give sold. But in just a short period of being on submission, my agent Lauren Abramo sold my book to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. She called me up one morning as I was getting ready to head out to teach a seventh grade English class and broke the news. As soon as I hung up the phone, I cheered with my roommate and then cried a little before going to teach. When I got home, however, I ate an entire box of Oatmeal Creme Pies.
You’ve said Tyler Johnson Was Here was inspired by events from your own life and the Black Lives Matter movement. Can you elaborate a bit?
Yes, it’s always a pretty vulnerable thing, honestly, and I always forget about this aspect because of the trauma and grief. My cousin lost his life to police violence when I was really young, maybe 8 or 9. At the time, I had no idea what “police brutality” meant, yet there was still so much anger and pain experienced by me and my family. When I was in high school, I remember seeing a lot of innocent black and brown boys and girls lose their lives to police violence on the news and social media. It felt like this tunnel of darkness that I couldn’t escape. It kept following me. I knew I had to do something to fight against that darkness, and it was to raise my voice, to speak up, to let out all the anger and frustration I had been bottling up over the years. So, I started writing Tyler Johnson Was Here.
You based your book on a poem you wrote for a high school creative writing class. What was the assignment, and how did it evolve into this novel in its final form? Does your teacher know about Tyler Johnson Was Here?
It wasn’t technically a poem first. Initially, the idea was a letter to my dad, then became a poem, but then it became a short story, and then lastly, it became a book. We had a simple assignment to write a poem about whatever we wanted. At the time, I had found a bunch of letters that I wrote to my dad. One of the letters was about my cousin and the pain I had been holding on to and then seeing/hearing about so many black people dying to police violence. (This letter also appears in the book). I took pieces of the letter, turned it into a poem, and then later a short story just for fun. Then, it became a book after encouragement from others. And no, this particular teacher who assigned me to write the poem has no idea I’m even published haha. However . . . Hey, Mr. Chad Andrews, if you’re out there and reading this: thank you. Look at how far I’ve come because of your encouragement!
How do you make a novel feel both memorable and authentic to young adult readers? Have your ideas about how to achieve these things changed as you’ve gone from being a reader to an author?
The first thing you need to know to be a successful author is know your audience. That can be cliche, but I mean that. You have to know them through and through. For instance, I write for teens. Because I was very recently a “teen,” it was easy for me to nail down the teen voice. For other authors, research through talking with teens to nail down their voice is essential. Also, it’s great knowing popular words, phrases, music, subject matter, etc. This is basic, but trust me, it makes all the difference for helping stories be relatable and not [become] dated so quickly. I don’t think a lot of YA authors I read growing up understood the importance of this.
Music is such a big part of your life, and you’re also a composer and conductor. How do you balance all of your creative interests?
It’s mostly simple. The blessing of doing music and writing full time is that I have total control over my own hours. I’m able to work on whatever I need to get done in a particular day with the help of my very detailed composer/author calendar. Some days, I compose music and work on my next book. Other times, I just do one of them. Days when I have an author event or a conducting gig, I make time at night to write. Like over time. Such fun!
You create playlists for your books as you write. How does this music fuel your writing? How does music shape the lives of both you and your characters?
Music is so, so important to my life and therefore bleeds over into my books. When I have an idea for a book, I create a playlist of songs that relate to the themes or subject matter of the book to help fuel my writing. The songs end up becoming very important to certain scenes and may even show up in the text. I like to think that music is a way into someone’s life. You can learn a lot from the music people listen to and love. Same thing with my characters.
Care to share your Tyler Johnson Was Here playlist?
1. “Feel” by Kendrick Lamar
2. “Hip Hop Ride” by Da Youngstas
3. “Until the End of Time” by Tupac
4. “Hail Mary” by Tupac
5. “Change” by J. Cole
6. “Power Struggle” by J. Cole
7. “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys
8. “He Is the Same” by Jon Bellion
9. “All We Got” by Chance The Rapper
10. “Martyrs” by Mick Jenkins
11. “Can You Hold Me” by NF
12. “Mine” by Beyoncé
13. “Hypnotize” by Notorious B.I.G
14. “Guts Over Fear” by Eminem and Sia
Marvin Johnson tells his principal, Mr. Dodson, that the TV show ‘A Different World’ “shows blackness in a way not many other shows do. It taught me that I could be successful, even when people think otherwise.” What other TV shows, movies and books do you love for this reason?
Shows: “The Fresh Prince,” “Black-ish,” “Grown-ish,” “Everybody Hates Chris”
Movies: Black Panther
Books: Tiny Pretty Things, Piecing Me Together, The Hate U Give, Dear Martin
Do you have plans for your next book yet?
I do. It has sold. I think that’s all I can say about it right now. I guess also this fact: I’m obsessed with it. More details soon!
QUOTED: "It’s a young adult contemporary novel about three geeks that live in poverty, first kisses, nineties rap music, Oreos, violence, and The Big Bang Theory! One day, my main character’s twin brother goes missing. It turns out that his twin may actually be part of a horrible crime that may have been committed by a gang, or the police themselves."
"The book is based off of a poem I wrote for my high school creative writing teacher. So, technically I’ve been writing it since then."
Success Story Interview
An Interview with Jay Coles upon receiving an offer of representation.
08/07/2016
Jay Coles (jaycoleswritesbooks on QT) has signed with agent Lauren Abramo of Dystel Goderich & Bourret LLC.
Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you’ve found representation? What inspired you to write it?
Sure. It’s a young adult contemporary novel about three geeks that live in poverty, first kisses, 90s rap music, Oreos, violence, and The Big Bang Theory! One day, my main character’s twin brother goes missing. It turns out that his twin may actually be part of a horrible crime that may have been committed by a gang, or the police themselves.
How long have you been writing?
Whoa. I’ve been writing since I could hold a pencil. But, like seriously writing, I would say since I was in the seventh grade—I wrote some incredibly absurd stories back then, but they’ve helped me get better.
How long have you been working on this book?
This is kind of hard to answer. The book is based off of a poem I wrote for my high school creative writing teacher. So, technically I’ve been writing it since then, but not really. But, seriously writing it, it has been about four months.
Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?
Yes, so many times I felt like giving up. Mainly because of the rejections that rolled in. They were so discouraging at times. I would play 90s rap music, like my main character does. And when the rejections came and I felt like I wouldn’t get anywhere, I started my next book.
Is this your first book?
No. It’s not. It’s my ninth book. It’s true what they say, you know, that it’s highly unlikely to get an agent on your first, second, third book. Also, I must say that this was the third book that my agent saw of mine.
Do you have any formal writing training?
Yes! I have a degree in English and writing, I teach writing, and I am always going to writing conferences. In fact, I’ll be going to one here soon.
Do you follow a writing "routine" or schedule?
Not really a routine. I write at random times in the day, mostly after 2 a.m., but I make it a priority to write a bit every day. I guess that’s routine.
How many times did you re-write/edit your book?
I did 1 major re-write of an end scene. But, I edited the book like ten times. Even, while I queried and agents had my pages (partials and/or fulls), I still did some editing.
Did you have beta readers for your book?
No. But this is like a fear thing. I get really nervous about other eyes on my manuscript. For previous manuscripts, I did. For this particular one, I did not.
Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?
Both. I outline the major scenes as a strategy for pacing. But all the events and one-liners that come in between major scenes are completely my characters, as I write those from the hip.
How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?
This query process was a rather fast one. I started querying this particular book in June of 2016. Received my first offers of rep at the end of July. But out of all the books I’ve queried, my journey started in 2013. Whew!
About how many query letters did you send out for this book?
I only tracked the ones that I felt had significant potential on query tracker. But, total I sent out about 50 queries. I got 3 partial requests. 15 full requests. 15 rejections. The others did not respond.
On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?
They had to be editorial, which was huge for me. Lauren totally is. They had to have a small list, had to be big on communication, honest and trustworthy, and passionate about my stuff. When, I spoke to Lauren for the first time, she was so passionate and we clicked instantly. I was so happy, and still am, because she’s such a big name in the industry.
Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?
I did. I used manuscript wishlist (the hashtag and the website) to see if there was something I could use to personalize. I also started out with a simple greeting to express my interest in working with the specific agent and the reasons why. For Lauren, it was because I knew some of her clients and she expressed a desire to represent marginalized voices.
What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?
Never, ever give up. At times, you might feel beat. At times, you might feel like you are not good enough. You are! Totally. Just keep going at it, getting better and improving your craft, and agents will also take note of your growth. I sent a total of about 300 queries from 2013 to no—nine manuscripts.
Would you be willing to share your query with us?
Sure, here you are:
QUOTED: "What this novel may lack in nuance, it makes up in heart, soul and ambition, providing an intimate, behind-the-scenes look."
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Print Marked Items
TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE
Alice Cary
BookPage.
(Apr. 2018): p28.
COPYRIGHT 2018 BookPage
http://bookpage.com/
Full Text:
TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE
By Jay Coles
Little, Brown $17.99, 304 pages ISBN 9780316440776 Audio, eBook available Ages 14 and up
FICTION
Jay Coles' powerful, anguished debut novel, Tyler Johnson Was Here, inspired by so many tragic headlines,
is already garnering worthy comparisons to 2017's award-winning The Hate U Give. Of particular interest is
the fact that Coles is a 22-year-old recent college graduate, composer and professional musician whose
writing was inspired by the police brutality experienced by his family and community.
The story centers on twin brothers Tyler and Marvin. While a college recruiter from MIT courts Marvin,
Tyler gets involved with "a legit thug" in their neighborhood in Sterling Point, Alabama. When the boys
attend a warehouse party that's raided by police, they lose track of each other in the ensuing chaos. One of
the officers shoots Tyler, and a video surfaces that shows the unarmed teen saying, "Leave me alone. I'm
just going home."
Marvin is left to grapple with grief, guilt, hate, anger, the legal process and the fight for justice. What this
novel may lack in nuance, it makes up in heart, soul and ambition, providing an intimate, behind-the-scenes
look at the kinds of murders and tragedies fueling the Black Lives Matter movement.
Teen readers will be left with much to contemplate and with no easy answers. As Marvin concludes, "This
is only the beginning of a long fight. It's my turn to speak up and resist."
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
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Cary, Alice. "TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE." BookPage, Apr. 2018, p. 28. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A532528606/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=84e53a9f.
Accessed 24 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A532528606
QUOTED: "While the author's toolbox has some room for growth, he effectively dramatizes the human experience and ethical questions underpinning today's Movement for Black Lives."
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Coles, Jay: TYLER JOHNSON WAS
HERE
Kirkus Reviews.
(Feb. 1, 2018):
COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Coles, Jay TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE Little, Brown (Young Adult Fiction) $17.99 3, 20 ISBN: 978-0-
316-44077-6
Coles' debut takes on the heartbreaking outcomes of a broken system of policing.
Through language that honors the enraging aspects of life in the inner city, readers meet Marvin and Tyler
Johnson, twin high school seniors at a crossroads. Narrator Marvin jokes that their family story can feel like
the stereotype for black boys. Their father is in jail, and Mama works extra hard to keep the family stable,
leaving room for the influence of the streets to creep into their lives. All this is irrelevant when a police
officer shoots Tyler dead after he attends a questionable neighborhood party. This is not the first time that
Marvin and his friends have witnessed police violence. They've seen officers lift firearms at children, slam
them to the ground, and verbally abuse them, with no consequences. Deep down, Marvin knows that he
cannot become the hate that he senses in the world around him. This family's struggle to find resolve, peace,
and even a twinge of justice is full of life lessons, including this gem inspired by Auntie Nicola, a former
cop: "Life is about wading in the rain, in all the storm's fury...becoming one and the same with the storm--
getting angry, getting heated, and being the change you want." Coles, just 21, pens an immersive and
uncompromising look at systemic police violence in the U.S.
While the author's toolbox has some room for growth, he effectively dramatizes the human experience and
ethical questions underpinning today's Movement for Black Lives. (Fiction. 14-18)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Coles, Jay: TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2018. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A525461338/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=be9f9569.
Accessed 24 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A525461338
QUOTED: "Coles's contemporary novel addresses real issues facing black teens in the U.S. today. It is a powerful story full of heart and it packs a deep emotional punch."
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Coles, Jay. Tyler Johnson Was Here
Matt Pavloff
Voice of Youth Advocates.
40.6 (Feb. 2018): p53.
COPYRIGHT 2018 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
Coles, Jay. Tyler Johnson Was Here. Little, Brown, March 2018. 304p. $17.99. 978-0-316-44077-6.
3Q * 4P * J * S
Drawing inspiration straight from today's headlines, Coles's novel tells the story of Marvin Johnson and his
twin brother Tyler. Despite having a close relationship throughout their childhood, Marvin and Tyler have
been growing apart. This chasm comes to a head when Marvin learns that Tyler has become involved in a
local gang. Before he has a chance to confront him, however, tragedy strikes--a gang shooting at a party
leaves two dead and Tyler missing. It is only after seeing a viral video that Marvin learns his twin is dead,
killed by a white police officer in an unprovoked shooting. Marvin must learn to focus both his grief and his
anger to find justice for his brother and somehow try to heal, despite seeing his brother die again and again
on the news and online; his twin has become a hashtag. His mother is a shell of herself.
Coles's contemporary novel addresses real issues facing black teens in the U.S. today. It is a powerful story
full of heart and it packs a deep emotional punch. Lack of adequate character development and a staccato,
uneven flow of both plot and prose may draw unfavorable comparisons with similar titles from authors such
as Nic Stone and Angie Thomas. The lesser literary quality of this title, however, will not detract readers
and should not keep educators and librarians from putting it on the shelves. There cannot be enough young
adult novels giving black families a voice in our country. Coles offers the point of view of a sibling, the
twin brother, of the story's victim, providing readers with an intimate, diary-like look at how grief, anger,
(in)justice, and social media impact every aspect of his life after the murder.--Matt Pavloff.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Pavloff, Matt. "Coles, Jay. Tyler Johnson Was Here." Voice of Youth Advocates, Feb. 2018, p. 53. General
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A529357106/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=2991f6aa. Accessed 24 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A529357106
QUOTED: "Its exploration of brotherhood, grief, friendship, and familial ties is as moving and relevant as its exploration of racism."
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Tyler Johnson Was Here
Enishia Davenport
Booklist.
114.9-10 (Jan. 1, 2018): p94+.
COPYRIGHT 2018 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
* Tyler Johnson Was Here.
By Jay Coles.
Mar. 2018. 304p. Little, Brown, $17.99 (9780316440776); e-book, $9.99 (9780316440783). Gr. 9-12.
Coles' unforgettable debut opens with a haunting incident of police brutality that sets the tone for the rest of
the book. As Marvin, his twin brother, Tyler, and their best friends exit a convenience store, they are caught
in the commotion surrounding a police chase. After the cop viciously beats one of the young men he was
pursuing, he draws a gun on Marvin and his group, threatening to shoot as he yells racial hostilities. Guns
appear once more when Marvin and Tyler attend a house party and a shooting breaks out, drawing the
police. Amidst the chaos, Marvin loses track of his brother, who never comes home. Days afterward,
detectives visit Marvin's house and inform him and his mother that Tyler was killed in a gang-related
incident; but later, a video surfaces that shows a cop murdering Tyler, proving the detectives' claims false.
In the aftermath of Tyler's murder, Marvin must grapple with his grief while also dealing with the social and
racial outrage his brother's death sparks. Coles' story offers a glimpse into the injustices, struggles, and pain
of being a black male in America. In addition, it crafts an authentic depiction of black life that shatters
stereotypes. Its exploration of brotherhood, grief, friendship, and familial ties is as moving and relevant as
its exploration of racism.--Enishia Davenport
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Davenport, Enishia. "Tyler Johnson Was Here." Booklist, 1 Jan. 2018, p. 94+. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A525185760/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=4414f5c6.
Accessed 24 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A525185760
QUOTED: "This well-written, fast-paced story eloquently addresses how to grieve, plan, and participate in the burial of a loved one, a sensitive subject for all youth."
"a standout debut."
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COLES, Jay. Tyler Johnson Was Here
Sabrina Carnesi
School Library Journal.
64.2 (Feb. 2018): p100+.
COPYRIGHT 2018 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No
redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
* COLES, Jay. Tyler Johnson Was Here. 304p. Little, Brown. Mar. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780316440776.
POP
Gr 9 Up--Narrated by 17-year-old Marvin Johnson, this novel gives readers a glimpse into the life and the
tragic death of his identical twin Tyler. Their family is headed by a single mother separated from her
husband due to incarceration. It's senior year and for the first time, the twins are growing apart. Tyler now
prefers his friends over all else, forsaking academics and his curfew. Marvin, on the other hand, is
questioning the change and feeling an imbalance in the relationship. Gang violence erupts in a party both
twins attend and Tyler ends up dead from an unprovoked altercation with a police officer. Marvin, who was
being scouted by MIT for a college scholarship, begins a downward spiral that could only end with the
clearing of his deceased brother's name as a wrongdoer. Social media, as in real life, plays a vital part in the
advocacy for victims' rights at the hands of police, as well as for the efforts needed to organize public
protests and vigils in memory of Tyler. Tensions arise in the community between proponents of the Black
Lives Matter movement and those who push for "All Lives Matter" in response. This well-written, fastpaced
story eloquently addresses how to grieve, plan, and participate in the burial of a loved one, a sensitive
subject for all youth. It also succeeds in not avoiding tough subjects, such as systemic racism. VERDICT
For fans of All-American Boys and The Hate U Give, this emotion-filled title is a standout debut.--Sabrina
Carnesi, Crittenden Middle School, Newport News, VA
KEY: * Excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject or in the same genre | Tr Hardcover trade
binding | lib. ed. Publisher's library binding | Board Board book | pap. Paperback | e eBook original | BL
Bilingual | POP Popular Picks
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Carnesi, Sabrina. "COLES, Jay. Tyler Johnson Was Here." School Library Journal, Feb. 2018, p. 100+.
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QUOTED: "TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE is a fast book to read, but the beginning was extremely slow, and it only starts to pick up the pace until halfway through the book. There were moments where it felt like nothing happened for pages on end. ... If the pacing was changed a bit, then this book would have been more impactful."
"an intense novel with beautiful, clear, crisp writing."
March 27, 2018
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TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE by Jay Coles is a novel that introduces readers to teenaged Marvin Johnson. When his twin brother, Tyler, goes to a party, Marvin decides to go to the party with him. The party doesn’t go as planned, though, because a shooting starts and soon after a police raid takes place where the party was.
The day after the shooting and police raid, Tyler is missing, only to be found dead a few days later. Things become even more complicated for Marvin and his mother when a video of Tyler being murdered by a police officer is leaked. Now, Marvin and his mother are mourning the loss of Tyler, but as the trial for the police officer that murdered Tyler nears, Marvin has to decide whether or not he is willing to go against what everyone else believes: that Tyler was just another thug who deserved to be murdered. TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE is Jay Coles’ debut novel and is an own voices story of a black boy facing police brutality and racism.
"TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE is an intense novel with beautiful, clear, crisp writing, and is something I would strongly recommend for fans of THE HATE U GIVE and ALL AMERICAN BOYS."
There were a lot of things I enjoyed about TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE, but one of the things I most enjoyed was the family dynamics in the novel. Marvin’s father is in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, and the two of them write letters to one another in attempt to keep their relationship with one another until his father can finally be released from jail. Marvin and Tyler’s relationship was something I enjoyed; it’s difficult to create realistic sibling relationships, but Jay Coles did an excellent job creating their relationship. I found their mother to also be an amazing character. So much of this story has to do with their family sticking together and grieving after Tyler’s death, and the execution of this was gut-wrenching.
I also enjoyed seeing more about the themes of police brutality and racism that were explored in the novel. Time and time again, we see Marvin and the people around him face racism --- from kids at school and by police officers. Police officers stop him and don’t trust him because he’s black, and the scenes of police brutality in the novel are graphic, detailed and intense. Marvin’s narration adds to the story; we can see his fear through the way he talks, and how he reacts to the police raid after the party. After Tyler’s death, Marvin becomes a more developed character, one that starts using his voice to protest and help the community around him, which was something I loved.
However, the novel still has a few issues that I would like to point out. Something I wasn’t a big fan of was the romance in the novel. Personally, I am not a fan of romance in my books, I find that they usually get in the way of the actual story progressing. Due to this, I found myself not enjoying the end of the book as much as I would have had there been no romance throughout the book. However, this is simply my personal preference, and if you enjoy or don’t care if there's romance in your books than I think you should go ahead and read TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE.
One other small issue I had was the pacing of the novel. TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE is a fast book to read, but the beginning was extremely slow, and it only starts to pick up the pace until halfway through the book. There were moments where it felt like nothing happened for pages on end and some of the bigger plot points of the book weren’t given enough time to develop. If the pacing was changed a bit, then this book would have been more impactful.
Despite the small flaws the novel has, I still enjoyed my experience reading it overall. Marvin’s friendships and relationships with his brother were lovely. TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE is an intense novel with beautiful, clear, crisp writing, and is something I would strongly recommend for fans of THE HATE U GIVE and ALL AMERICAN BOYS.
Reviewed by Marco M., Teen Board Member on March 27, 2018
QUOTED: "Jay Coles’ debut novel is infuriatingly moving. It’s filled with so much love, and I can’t imagine how rough and heavy yet ultimately satisfying writing this kind of book could be. Marvin Johnson, just like Starr Carter from The Hate U Give, is a well-developed MC, and I couldn’t imagine his story being told by anyone else. Tyler Johnson Was Here is a wonderfully heartbreaking book about the importance of family, the pains of losing a loved one, and the incessant need to fight for what is right and just."
Review: Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles
MARCH 19, 2018 BOOK FREAK REVELATIONS1 COMMENT
Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles
Genre: YA Contemporary, Coming of Age, Social Issues: Police Brutality, Racism
Publication: March 20th 2018 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Series: No. Standalone.
Length: 304 pages
Format: Finished Hardcover Copy from Hachette Book Group US
Rating: ★★★★.5
Amazon || Book Depository
When Marvin Johnson’s twin, Tyler, goes to a party, Marvin decides to tag along to keep an eye on his brother. But what starts as harmless fun turns into a shooting, followed by a police raid.
The next day, Tyler has gone missing, and it’s up to Marvin to find him. But when Tyler is found dead, a video leaked online tells an even more chilling story: Tyler has been shot and killed by a police officer. Terrified as his mother unravels and mourning a brother who is now a hashtag, Marvin must learn what justice and freedom really mean.
Arctic Books post graphics
Huge thanks to my friends from Hachette Book Group US and Ms. Isa Jacinto for sending me a finished hardcover copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This did not, in any way, affect my overall opinion of the book and/or the story.
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This might sound like a huge cliché, but last year, when I read Angie Thomas’ debut, The Hate U Give, I felt like something about the way I lived my life shifted. It awoken my sense of activism, one way or another, and I’m so, so thankful to have encountered such a book. Since then, I’ve been on the market for books tackling the same issues like racism, and police brutality, and I was so excited to have heard and read Jay Coles equally explosive debut about a boy who has lost his brother to a racist cop who took his life just because he was black. Read on for a detailed review of Tyler Johnson Was Here.
This book might have been filled with so much violence and police brutality, but it was also written with so much passion and love, and I can’t help but feel so moved at the thought of having read a story like this one. Tyler didn’t deserve to be murdered. He didn’t deserve to die the way he did. And his Mama, and his brother, Marvin, didn’t deserve to lose a loved one like that. This book further made me realize how messed up our world actually is right now. It pained me so, so much to see a family, even though they’re entirely fictional, hurting because of a problem that’s so real, one that still happens right now. It also made me so enraged at how cruel lots of people could be, especially if they don’t like the way you look. And what’s worse is we lose lots of people because of all the hate. This book made me feel all kinds of emotions and I owe it to the author, to Tyler, and to Marvin, to take this fight and make it my own. For I’m a person of color myself. And somehow, this book made me feel seen and represented.
I also wanted to highlight the amazingly reletable friendship dynamic between Marvin, G-mo, and Ivy. From the moment I met them, down to the very last page of the book, I adored how close they were and how well-bonded they all seemed to be. I love how from the very first page, they always got each other’s backs and they always come to each other’s rescue when every time that it mattered most. They were also very compassionate and supportive, and their friendship meant the world to Marvin, and I absolutely enjoyed getting to know them. I would’ve loved this more if G-mo and Ivy were also given more background story, but overall, I very much enjoyed this big aspect of the story.
And finally, as for the technicals, I love how fast-paced Marvin and Tyler’s story was, overall, and I absolutely adored the author’s writing style. It came as no surprise to me that I was able to read this in 2 days, and I practically breezed through all the scenes. I love how the author was able to put so much grief and anguish into Marvin’s voice and that, for me, made him such an interesting narrator. I love reading about pained characters, not because I enjoy seeing them hurt, but because I find that they are usually so well-rounded. Their perspectives might be tainted by strong emotions such as infuriation and sadness, but they become so much more than just their story. Marvin’s voice is so unforgettable, I can assure you guys that he’ll definitely have a place in my heart now and forever.
“Jay Coles’ debut novel is infuriatingly moving. It’s filled with so much love, and I can’t imagine how rough and heavy yet ultimately satisfying writing this kind of book could be. Marvin Johnson, just like Starr Carter from The Hate U Give, is a well-developed MC, and I couldn’t imagine his story being told by anyone else. Tyler Johnson Was Here is a wonderfully heartbreaking book about the importance of family, the pains of losing a loved one, and the incessant need to fight for what is right and just. It might have been a very quick read for me, but it most definitely left a mark long after I turned the last page.”