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Comments (26)

Community comments are the opinions of contributing users. These comments do not represent the opinions of Contra Costa County Library.
What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 26 items
May 21, 2023Reading4Life_007 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I liked this book because it shined another light, not just on the world's perspective of the horrific event that happened in an Oakland bus in 2013, but the story from the eyes of a misunderstood perpetrator. The whole world hates…
Mar 19, 2023orange_zebra_506 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Narrating one of Oakland’s most horrifying crimes, Dashka Slater retells the tragedy of Sasha Fleischman, and also the background of brutality that their attacker, Richard Thomas endured before the fiery event on “The 57 Bus”. Just as on…
Jan 09, 2023HPL_Teen_Volunteer1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
One slumbering agender teenager. One careless teenager needing a laugh. 8 minutes together. A disastrous accident. When 16-year-old Richard saw the 18-year-old Sasha wearing a skirt, and a lighter was thrust into his hands, he thought it…
Dec 19, 2022SurreyLibraries_Teens3 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The 57 Bus is an emotional, heartbreaking non-fiction novel telling the story of two teens as they come to terms with the results of their actions and the actions of those around them. Set in 2013 Oakland, California this novel centres…
Nov 24, 2022
I thought that The 57 Bus was a great read. This book was very educational, emotional and overall it had great meaning. It handles the very heavy topic of race and gender identity quite well. Sasha is an agender teen who is trying to…
Nov 14, 2022SurreyLibraries_Teens1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed reading this book, as it brings out a meaningful message. After reading this book, I have learnt how to properly forgive others, as well as looking things in different perspectives. Sasha and Richard are both high school…
Nov 03, 2022SurreyLibraries_Teens rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A well written book, I didn’t know it was a true story until later. Sasha, a trans girl, was chilling on the bus in a bad neighbourhood wearing a skirt when some kid decided that the best thing to do for funsies is hold a lighter to her…
Aug 30, 2022R00383368 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Richard is an African-American youth who lives in East Oakland, an impoverished area of ​​the city that is rife with the violence that has affected his life. His two aunts and three close friends were murder victims. His devout mother, a…
Jul 10, 2022ADA_19 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This book was a very interesting and quick read. A true novel about how one simple mistake/action could change the lives of many. Not only does it include LGBTQ history it respects the genders and identities of those involved. Would…
May 22, 2022AsaQuathern rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extremely well written
Jan 22, 2022jessvan73 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book and the educational aspect of it. I liked that both teens backgrounds and aftermath were discussed.
Jun 16, 2021bogwolf rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Very quick read. A bit dreamier than most journalism, but journalistic nonetheless; well researched. Follows both protagonists before and after the crucial event between them. I found it moving, hopeful in spite of the subject. Recommended.
Jun 14, 2021SionaM rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book is about 2 teens brought together on the same bus for a small amount of time, and the one act that changed their lives, along with the repercussions . The author attempts to tell the story of Sasha, an agender teen who likes to…
Sep 10, 2020DBRL_ReginaF rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book is not just about two people who are forever linked by a tragic event. It's also about the history of the LGBTQ community in the US. It's also about the history of detention, specifically juvenile detention, in the US. It is a…
Aug 18, 2020SAPL_Teens rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I truly could not put this book down. It was an amazing exploration of issues of race, gender and class in this one incident. The fact that it was a true story really hit home for me and I think that there's a lot to talk about in it. This…
Aug 11, 2019Bill_L rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
An artful, sensitive, compelling story of the intersection of two teenage lives that resulted in tragedy but ultimately in redemption and forgiveness. The structure of the book carries you along for an effortless read while the subject…
Jan 16, 2019OPL_MichelleC rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I did not know what I was getting into when I started this book. I love reading non-fiction and look at awards lists to provide me with the best options. The 57 Bus was on these lists for good reason. I was unaware of the tragic incident…
Jan 10, 2019booknrrd rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This was a good account of the crime and the major players involved and I appreciated the depth and empathy she brought to it for all parties.
Jan 06, 2019Mooseum rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book had additional layers of meaning for me. I rode the 57 bus in the 1960s to Oakland High School. It was the mid-20th century and another time in an Oakland that was changing quickly. We never could have foreseen the future…
Oct 25, 2018The_Zookeeper rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was a heartbreaking read. These true events will pull at you until you can't book the book down. What happened to both teenagers is sad, one for being set on fire and the other for being put in the correctional system for an impulsive…
Jul 23, 2018LPL_CentennialC rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book tells the true story of two teens, Sasha and Richard, and the crime that links them. Sasha is a white teen who attended the local private school and identifies as agender, using they/them pronouns. Richard is a black teen who…
Jul 19, 2018JCLChrisK rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The 57 Bus is a marvelous work of investigative storytelling. Through extensive interviews, documents, and fact gathering, Slater has found the people behind the headlines. Sasha, who fell asleep on a bus to wake up on fire. Richard, who…
Jun 13, 2018
The 57 Bus is one of the most relevant books I've read in a while. It was a very fast read. I checked out the eBook and read it in a few hours. One of those true stories that every one needs to know about. Highly recommended.
Apr 22, 2018SPPL_Teens rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A carefully observed and captivating non-fiction read. Dashka Slater uses her talents as a journalist and writer to propel the reader through the diverse perspectives and players involved in a hate-crime that left agender teen, Sasha,…
Apr 18, 2018DPLaprilteenservices rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A compelling read; the back stories of Sasha and Richard help round out the story of what happened on Bus 57. Excellent pick for high school or young adult book groups.