Dickens & Rumi
Cover of THE 57 BUS

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THE 57 BUS

Dashka Slater

The true story of the 2013 incident that happened in Oakland, Calif. between two teens, Sasha and Richard. (Ages 12 to 17)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? This book covers themes of hate crimes, severe physical violence, and the criminal justice system. It is best suited for teenagers who can process complex social and legal topics maturely. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • LGBTQIA characters5/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Graphic injury3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Diverse representation4/5
  • Educational value4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?

No characters die, though the victim survives a life-threatening attack.

Graphic injury3/5
Why this rating?

There are detailed, clinical, and emotional descriptions of the victim's severe burns and their medical treatment.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

Harassment, slurs, and hostile language connected to the assault and its social context appear in the reporting.

LGBTQIA characters5/5
Why this rating?

The book centers on a gender-nonconforming protagonist and themes of gender identity.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

There are minor mentions of teenage crushes and social dynamics.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

The attack, public harassment, uncertainty, and trauma can be emotionally disturbing, though there is little horror-style suspense.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Includes discussions regarding gender identity and expression.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Minor references to substance use in the lives of the teenagers.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

The core of the book involves a violent hate crime where a person is set on fire.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The subjects and supporters face public scrutiny, trauma, and difficult moral questions with persistence and honesty.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages creative empathy and critical thinking regarding complex social issues.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse range of racial and gender identities with nuanced character development.

Educational value4/5
Why this rating?

Provides significant sociological and legal context regarding restorative justice and hate crime legislation.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Empathy and humane understanding are major themes, although the narrative includes severe cruelty and its effects.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong message about empathy, the complexity of justice, and the importance of understanding all sides of a story.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

People show resilience, advocacy, reflection, and accountability, while the book also honestly examines harmful choices and failures.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How are identity and relationships presented, and how do they shape the characters’ experiences?
  3. Which choice in THE 57 BUS would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in THE 57 BUS, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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