YA Materials, Literature Log, Book #11: The 57 Bus

 Title: The 57 Bus

Author: Dashka Slater

Category: YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults title


On a bus trip home from school, the skirt of agender teenager Sasha was set on fire by another teen, Richard. The two did not know each other, and went to different schools. Richard and his friends, who dared him to set Sasha's skirt on fire, thought it was funny that they looked like a boy dressed as a girl, and Richard impulsively caused damage. He did not intend for Sasha to be hurt as badly as they were. This book covers the lives of both teenagers before the incident, Sasha's recovery in the hospital, and the court case that followed, as Richard was charged with hate crimes for his actions.


I must admit, I had not heard of this event before choosing this book to read this semester, and I found it very interesting. Through reading the book, I feel like I gained an understanding of both Sasha and Richard, and how nuanced things like this are. I feel that this book could be important for other teenagers, especially those who, like Richard, don't understand the concept of someone being nonbinary, as Sasha is. This book is a great educational tool in that area, and also brings a lot of understanding and respect for both teenagers to the discussion that I think teenagers need to see. I would use this book with teens to show how not every story is black and white, and possibly to tie into Pride Month as a celebration of nonbinary teens.

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