Dashka Slater’s The 57 Bus earns high praise for its empathetic and balanced portrayal of a real-life incident involving gender identity and social justice. Reviewers commend its journalistic rigor and narrative style, though some critique its heavy reliance on multiple perspectives might confuse readers. Overall, it's hailed for sparking crucial conversations on tolerance and complexity.

Readers who would enjoy The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater are likely interested in social justice, LGBTQ+ issues, and true crime narratives. Fans of Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give or Susan Kuklin's Beyond Magenta will appreciate the compelling blend of personal stories and broader societal themes explored in this book.

The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater recounts a true story of an incident on November 4, 2013, when two high school students, Richard and Sasha, were riding the same bus in Oakland, California. Richard, a troubled but well-meaning teen, impulsively set fire to Sasha’s skirt, causing severe burns. Sasha, who is agender, faced a long recovery, while Richard was tried in the adult criminal justice system. The narrative examines the repercussions for both teens, delving into themes of justice, identity, and societal issues. Sensitive topics covered in the book include violence, LGBTQ+ discrimination, and the criminal justice system.

Informative / Emotional / Challenging / Heartwarming / Mysterious

- The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater began as an article titled "The Fire on the 57 Bus" published in The New York Times Magazine in 2015, which then expanded into the full-length book.
- The book won the 2018 Stonewall Book Award for Non-Fiction, an accolade honoring exceptional LGBTQ books across various genres.
- Dashka Slater is known for writing both children's books and journalism, which shows her versatility in engaging different audiences on complex social issues.

**Dashka Slater**  
A journalist and children’s book author who navigates complex social issues using an episodic narrative style.

**Sasha**  
A junior at a progressive high school in Oakland, California, who identifies as agender and uses the pronouns they/their/theirs; known for their intelligence, empathy, and budding confidence.

**Richard**  
A young man raised by a single mother in Oakland, often making poor decisions influenced by peers, who struggles with the consequences of his actions and the justice system.

**Debbie and Karl**  
Sasha's supportive parents, who have a compassionate understanding of both their child's situation and Richard's circumstances.

**Jasmine**  
Richard’s mother, raising him mostly on her own and striving to support him through his trial despite challenging circumstances.

**Kaprice Wilson**  
An advocate for troubled youth in Oakland, who returns to her community to help students like Richard navigate life’s challenges.

**Cherie**  
A childhood friend of Richard’s, providing insight into the environment and circumstances affecting Richard and his peers.

**Regis**  
Richard’s mother’s cousin, openly gay and supportive, who attends Richard’s trial to show belief in his lack of hateful intent.

Dashka Slater

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The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime that Changed Their Lives (2017)

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