Come Home Safe

A Novel

Brian G. Buckmire

$29.99

Hardback

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QTY:

English

Blink
15 May 2023

General fiction (Children's&YA); Social issues (Children's&YA)

Dad, I just want to know how to not become a hashtag. In this gripping read, biracial siblings Reed and Olive hadn’t planned on navigating racial inequality or being roughed up by police on the subway, but as they face the truths and pains of being a person of color, they also lean into knowing their rights and fostering conversations about change and acceptance.

“In Come Home Safe, Brian Buckmire has crafted a story that looks the reality of police brutality in the eye and still manages to come away with hope. It is a powerful book about the necessity of ‘the talk’ and what it means to be a teenager in our times.”—New York Times bestselling author and ABC News anchor Linsey Davis

On the subway ride home, Reed just wants to watch videos of his soccer idol, but reality crashes in when police officers question him about a suspect who matches his description. With tact and poise, Reed defends himself, but ultimately knows there is no easy way out of this conflict.

At a café, a woman accuses Olive of stealing her phone and demands to see it. Startled and indignant, Olive watches as the crowd forms and does nothing to help, even as the woman attempts to weaponize the police against her.

This read will keep you on the edge of your seat as each teen asks themself: What should I do What can I do What’s going to get me home safe

Come Home Safe is perfect for:

Fans of contemporary fiction and true-to-life stories Youth and middle graders interested in social justice, societal change, and navigating police brutality Parents, teachers, and school librarians looking to start a conversation about politics, racism, or have “the talk” with their teens and middle schoolers Anyone looking to better understand the sociopolitical climate in America today Young adult readers of Angie Thomas, Nic Stone, Ibi Zoboi, and Jason Reynolds Black, brown, or marginalized families who wish to open a conversation about how to live in a world that only sees the color of their skin

From ABC News legal analyst and NYC Legal Aid Society public defender Brian Buckmire, this compelling story draws from real-life advice, lessons, and conversations with attorneys, law enforcement, and the wrongfully accused to help turn the whispers and family discussions about racial inequality and mistreatment into wider conversations, healing, and one day … change.

By: Brian G. Buckmire
Imprint: Blink
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 220mm, Width: 146mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 299g
ISBN: 9780310142188
ISBN 10: 0310142180
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 15 May 2023
Recommended Age: From 13 to 99 years
Audience: Young adult , Preschool (0-5)
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Brian G. Buckmire is a former NYC public defender in the Criminal Defense Practice and Homicide Defense Task Force of the Legal Aid Society, where he represented indigent clients in Brooklyn, NY. Currently, he is a trial counsel for Hamilton Clarke LLP, where he represents clients in federal civil rights and federal criminal cases. Buckmire is also an ABC legal contributor appearing on GMA, ABC News Live, Nightline, and GMA3’s “Better Call Brian,” as well as a legal analyst on the Law & Crime Network and a host on CBS Sports Golazo. In addition, he serves on the board of trustees for Coney Island Prep, a charter school in South Brooklyn. Born in Toronto, of Caribbean heritage, Brian, his wife Victoria, and their son Reid live in New York.

Reviews for Come Home Safe: A Novel

Biracial (Black and white) siblings Reed and Olive navigate racial inequality in this instructive and compassionate debut by public defender Buckmire. Singularly focused on becoming the first-ever freshman varsity soccer player at Elijah McCoy High School, 14-year-old Reed isn't thinking about injustice when he accompanies his younger sister, Olive, home from school one afternoon. But when the siblings enter the subway, a nearby NYPD officer claims that Reed matches the description of a suspect he's pursuing. Reed relies on the rules his Black public defender father taught him to navigate such incidents ('Don't pick a fight with these people--not with your words and not with your body') and does not resist arrest. As the narrative unfolds, both siblings find themselves in various frightening situations that require them to use their wits and the skills instilled in them by their parents to ensure their safety. Via informative and fast-paced text, Buckmire highlights the unjust U.S. legal system by thoughtfully rendering episodic-feeling scenarios that spotlight the conflicts Black people in America face every day just by living their lives. Ages 12--up. * Publishers Weekly *