This Thing of Ours

A thought-provoking exploration of storytelling dynamics in a social media–driven society.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Both heartening and heartbreaking, this richly layered, sensitive YA fiction debut from Joseph unflinchingly confronts systemic racism, classism, and homophobia via a powerful story of self-discovery and social justice that aims, shoots, and scores.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Frederick Joseph constructs a true roller coaster of a narrative in This Thing of Ours, painting Ossie’s complex struggles in language that is both poetic and engaging for a young adult audience. Impressively, the plot’s momentum stays strong even when dipping into the stories of the other characters. . . .Readers will be moved by the thoughtful, unexpected ways in which Joseph develops Ossie and his journey to be heard.
—BookPage (starred review)

Readers will be inspired by how he learns to stand up against the disguised race-class fissures that have long existed in his school.
—Booklist

Joseph makes his fiction debut with the powerfully empathic, deeply emboldening young adult novel This Thing of Ours.
—Shelf Awareness

A rich view into the many ways oppression marginalizes people and a loving portrait of an urban Black community, recommended for high school collections.
—School Library Journal

This Thing of Ours is a heartbreakingly topical novel that lays bare the systemic inequities permeating the world of young people today. This coming-of-age story illuminates the full humanity of young people as well as their capacity to lead the revolution. In Joseph we have an author who delivers a gripping, urgent plot with characters readers will rally to and embrace. Joseph more than just trusts young people to grapple with the challenges and complexities of the issues impacting their lives; his faith in their ability to find the inspiration, courage, and commitment to call out injustice and work toward the future they deserve is unshakeable.
—Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, educator and coauthor of Stamped (for Kids)

In a moment where ‘wokeness’ is weaponized, This Thing of Ours is the light that can guide us through the darkness. I laughed, I cried, I felt everything was broken . . . and then, that it could be fixed. This book is so unflinching, so heartfelt, so authentic, so damn of-the-now, it’s bound to be banned. I loved every page.
—Damon Lindelof, Emmy Award–winning writer and producer of Watchmen

A triumphant exaltation of the redemptive power of family, friendship, and community, This Thing of Ours is a fast-paced, emotionally rich attestation to the fight for the dignity and humanity of all Americans. It should be celebrated in classrooms across this country. With an ear for lyrical beauty as much as an eye for social critique, Joseph reminds us why caring about the truth matters and that the time to stand up for it is now.
—Brendan Kiely, New York Times best-selling coauthor of All American Boys

With a cast of naturally diverse characters you will root for, This Thing of Ours beautifully explores the awkward, anxiety-inducing, beautiful reality of growing up. All while reminding us that nothing is worth doing alone—not sports, not grief, not standing up and fighting for your people, and, most importantly, not life. This Thing of Ours is a must-read!
—Keah Brown, author of The Secret Summer Promise

Once again, regardless of genre, Frederick Joseph puts his heart, soul, passion, and unapologetic voice into every paragraph, sentence, and syllable. This rich tale of self-discovery, self-worth, and resilience will land protagonist Ossie Brown in the pantheon of legendary young adult characters that will live forever.
—Derrick Barnes, two-time Kirkus Prize winner, Newbery Honoree, and National Book Award Finalist

This Thing of Ours weaves the timeless magic of the YA novel (the friendship, love, family, and coming-of-age that readers have always adored) with present-day realities that need a firmer place in the genre, in a way that is both narratively rich and urgently necessary. Frederick Joseph does with this story what he does with all of his writing: he speaks truth with the authority of an educator and the passion of an artist. This book is truly for everyone—for those who feel directly represented by its characters and those with whom its author is sharing a generous heap of insight, education, and relentless hope.
—Cree, actress and storyteller