Anger Is a Gift

By Mark Oshiro

A teen must decide if anger can be a force for change amidst chaos and tragedy.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 6,550 ratings

464 pages· 118,283 words· Est. 11 hour read

$12.99Save 4%

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Bookroo's summary

Moss Jeffries, a thoughtful student and loyal friend, feels trapped by panic attacks and a tragic past. At West Oakland High, he faces crumbling infrastructure and oppressive regulations. As tensions rise and tragedy strikes, Moss must choose between succumbing to fear or harnessing his anger as a catalyst for change. Can a group of teens make their voices heard in a world that treats them like criminals?

From the publisher

The trade paperback edition of the highly buzzed about YA debut from Mark Oshiro, Anger Is a Gift follows a boy from Oakland as he falls in love amidst the chaos of modern America. 31st Annual Lammy Finalist for LGBTQ Children’s/Young Adult category2019 ALA Schneider Family Book Award Teen WinnerBuzzfeed’s 24 Best YA Books of 2018Vulture’s 38 Best LGBTQ YA NovelsBook Riot’s Best Books 2018Hyable’s Most Anticipated Queer YA Books of 2018The Mary Sue’s 18 Books You Should Read in 2018 Moss Jeffries is many things–considerate student, devoted son, loyal friend and affectionate boyfriend, enthusiastic nerd. But sometimes Moss still wishes he could be someone else–someone without panic attacks, someone whose father was still alive, someone who hadn’t become a rallying point for a community because of one horrible night. And most of all, he wishes he didn’t feel so stuck. Moss can’t even escape at school–he and his friends are subject to the lack of funds and crumbling infrastructure at West Oakland High, as well as constant intimidation by the resource officer stationed in their halls. That was even before the new regulations–it seems sometimes that the students are treated more like criminals. Something will have to change–but who will listen to a group of teens? When tensions hit a fever pitch and tragedy strikes again, Moss must face a difficult choice: give in to fear and hate or realize that anger can actually be a gift.