BIPOC Lit – Page 68 – Trigger Warning Database

Micah: The Good Girl by Ashley Woodfolk

Micha: The Good Girl by Ashley Woodfolk

Micah Dupree had always liked being the “good girl.” She was happy painting, going to church, and acing her school projects. After all, she had a perfect older brother to live up to. But when he unexpectedly dies, Micah’s world is turned upside-down. With her anxiety growing, a serious boyfriend in the picture, and new feelings emerging, Micah begins to question what being the “good girl” really means…and if it’s worth it, anyway.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Homomisia
Slut shaming
Anxiety & panic attacks
Death of a sibling
Car accident

When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk

When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk

It’s been twenty-seven days since Cleo and Layla’s friendship imploded. Nearly a month since Cleo realized they’ll never be besties again. Now, Cleo wants to erase every memory, good or bad, that tethers her to her ex–best friend. But pretending Layla doesn’t exist isn’t as easy as Cleo hoped, especially after she’s assigned to be Layla’s tutor. Despite budding new friendships with other classmates—and a raging crush on a gorgeous boy named Dom—Cleo’s turbulent past with Layla comes back to haunt them both.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Ableism
Bullying

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

For as long as ZJ can remember, his dad has been everyone’s hero. As a charming, talented pro football star, he’s as beloved to the neighbourhood kids he plays with as he is to his millions of adoring sports fans. But lately, life at ZJ’s house is anything but charming. His dad is having trouble remembering things and seems to be angry all the time. ZJ’s mom explains it’s because of all the head injuries his dad sustained during his career. ZJ can understand that–but it doesn’t make the sting any less real when his own father forgets his name. As ZJ contemplates his new reality, he has… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Physical injury

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

Running into a long-ago friend sets memory from the 1970s in motion for August, transporting her to a time and a place where friendship was everything—until it wasn’t. For August and her girls, sharing confidences as they ambled through neighbourhood streets, Brooklyn was a place where they believed that they were beautiful, talented, brilliant—a part of a future that belonged to them. But beneath the hopeful veneer, there was another Brooklyn, a dangerous place where.… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism
Misogyny
Fatmisia & body shaming
Rape
Sexual assault
Adult-minor relationship
Alcoholism
Suicide
Self-harm
Overdose mentioned
Pregnancy

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

Sophie is a young witch whose mother and grandmother pressure her to attend the Royal Magic Academy—the best magic school in the realm—even though her magic is shaky at best. To train for her entrance exams, Sophie is sent to relatives she’s never met. Cousin Sage and Great-Aunt Lan seem more interested in giving Sophie chores than in teaching her magic. Frustrated, Sophie attempts magic on her own, but the spell goes wrong, and… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Child abuse, off-page

Love, Comment, Subscribe by Cathy Yardley

Love, Comment, Subscribe by Cathy Yardley

Back in high school, Lily Wang wanted to be popular, but she considered herself lucky to be part of a tight group of oddballs and honors students called the Nerd Herd. Now, at twenty-eight, she feels like she’s finally on the cusp of succeeding as a beauty influencer—if she can hit five million subscribers, brands will take notice and she could get her own makeup line. Fellow Nerd Herd alum Tobin Bui has had a lot of success as a YouTube gamer. But the road to online stardom has been rocky. First, he disappointed… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism
Sexism

Carefree Black Girls by Zeba Blay

Carefree Black Girls by Zeba Blay

In this collection of essays, Blay expands on that initial idea by looking at the significance of influential black women throughout history, including Josephine Baker, Michelle Obama, Rihanna, and Cardi B. Incorporating her own personal experiences as well as astute analysis of these famous women, Blay presents an empowering and celebratory portrait of black women and their effect on American culture. She also examines the many stereotypes that have clung to black women throughout history, whether it is the Mammy, the Angry Black Woman, or more recently, the Thot.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism & racial slurs
Sexual assault mentioned
Attempted suicide mentioned
Suicidal ideation
Police brutality

Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge

Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge and translated by Jeremy Tiang

In the fictional Chinese city of Yong’an, an amateur cryptozoologist is commissioned to uncover the stories of its fabled beasts. These creatures live alongside humans in near-inconspicuousness—save their greenish skin, serrated earlobes, and strange birthmarks. Aided by her elusive former professor and his enigmatic assistant, our narrator sets off to document each beast, and is slowly drawn deeper into a mystery that threatens her very sense of self.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Suicide
Pregnancy
Emesis
Body horror
Cannibalism
Forced institutionalisation
Animal cruelty

Room to Dream by Kelly Yang

Room to Dream by Kelly Yang

After years of hard work, Mia Tang finally gets to go on vacation with her family — to China! A total dream come true! Mia can’t wait to see all her cousins and grandparents again, especially her cousin Shen. As she roams around Beijing, witnessing some of the big changes China’s going through, Mia thinks about the changes in her own life, like . . . 1. Lupe’s taking classes at the high school! And Mia’s own plans to be a big writer are … Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism & colourism
Gentrification
Bullying

White Ivy by Susie Yang

White Ivy by Susie Yang

Ivy Lin is a thief and a liar—but you’d never know it by looking at her. Raised outside of Boston, she is taught how to pilfer items from yard sales and second-hand shops by her immigrant grandmother. Thieving allows Ivy to accumulate the trappings of a suburban teen—and, most importantly, to attract the attention of Gideon Speyer, the golden boy of a wealthy political family. But when Ivy’s mother discovers her trespasses, punishment is swift and Ivy is sent to China, where her dream instantly evaporates. Years later, Ivy has grown into a poised yet restless young… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Ableism & ableist language
Fatmisia & body shaming
Classism
Cheating
Dubious consent scenario*
Eating disorder
Suicidal ideation
Alcohol consumption
Smoking
Cancer
Murder
Bullying

* Context : Characters have sex while drunk.