Tyler Johnson Was Here

A young man searches for answers after the death of his brother at the hands of police in this striking debut novel, for readers of The Hate U Give.

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.

Tyler Johnson Was Here is a powerful and moving portrait of youth and family that speaks to the serious issues of today–from gun control to the Black Lives Matter movement.

• An Entertainment Weekly Most Anticipated Book of the Year
• "Exploring the current climate of police brutality and viral culture, this harrowing YA effort is based on its author's own experiences with tragedy and loss, a personal touch felt across every page."
  Entertainment Weekly
• "An unflinching look at police brutality and systemic racism in America."
  Bustle
• * "This well-written, fast-paced story eloquently addresses how to grieve, plan, and participate in the burial of a loved one.... [A] standout debut."
  School Library Journal, starred review
• * "Unforgettable.... Coles' exploration of brotherhood, grief, friendship, and familial ties is as moving and relevant as its exploration of racism."
  Booklist, starred review
• "Coles...pens an immersive and uncompromising look at systemic police violence in the U.S., effectively dramatizing the human experience and ethical questions underpinning today's Movement for Black Lives."
  Kirkus Reviews
• "A distressing yet empowering portrait of a black teenager confronting relentless racism, brutality, and tragedy."
  Publishers Weekly
• "Clear-eyed, authentic, and heartfelt, Tyler Johnson Was Here is a captivating must-read."
  Karen M. McManus, New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying
• "Jay Coles' powerful, anguished debut novel...garners worthy comparisons to 2017's award-winning The Hate U Give."
  BookPage
• "Coles's contemporary novel addresses real issues facing black teens in the U.S. today, and is a powerful story full of heart, packing a deep emotional punch."
  VOYA
• "An impactful story.... Stirring and heartbreaking."
  The Bulletin
• "Uncompromising and intense, this heart-wrenching novel sends out an anguished cry for justice to all who are willing to hear."
  Shelf Awareness
• "Riveting...Coles evaluates self-identity in African Americans, police brutality, stereotypes, prejudice, social justice, education, poverty and more. At times endearing, and at times, excruciating to read, it is a very important novel."
  The Washington Missourian
• "Gripping from the very first scene, Tyler Johnson Was Here is a powerful and vulnerable immersion into the lives of people who are too rarely given a voice."
  Adi Alsaid, author of Let's Get Lost and Never Always Sometimes
• "Tyler Johnson Was Here refuses to pull its punches. Marvin's story will remake you. The careful prose, the heartbreaking story, but also the triumph of a young man in the face of an often lightless world. Jay Coles delivers the first book in what will be an illuminating career."
  Scott Reintgen, author of Nyxia