A Good Kind of Trouble

A Good Kind of Trouble

• Genre: Middle grade fiction; contemporary; coming of age
• Originally Published: 2019
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 720L; middle grade (ages 8-12)
• Structure/Length: Novel divided into chapters; approximately 384 pages; audiobook length approximately 6 hours, 46 minutes
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: A Good Kind of Trouble is a compelling middle grade novel by Lisa Moore Ramée. The central conflict revolves around Shayla, a young Black American girl in the seventh grade, who has always followed the rules to avoid getting into trouble. However, when she becomes involved in the Black Lives Matter movement, she starts to question the world around her and the injustices she witnesses. The novel follows Shayla’s journey as she learns about activism, social justice, and the complexities of friendship and family. It's a coming-of-age story that addresses important issues while exploring the challenges of growing up. Lisa Moore Ramée’s storytelling is known for its relatable characters and thought-provoking themes.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes related to racial justice, social activism, and growing up

Lisa Moore Ramée, Author

• Bio: American author known for her middle grade novels that tackle important social issues; Lisa Moore Ramee has received recognition for her impactful storytelling
• Other Works: Something to Say (2020)
• Awards: A selection for School Library Journal’s Best Middle Grade Books 2019 and the winner of the Black Caucus of ALA First Novelist Award in 2021

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Personal Growth’s Correlation to Change
• Expressing Individuality Leads to Belonging
• Authority Can Be Flawed
• The Pervasiveness of Racial Bias

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Gain an understanding of the sociopolitical and historical contexts regarding Black Lives Matter and related activism, both of which shape the nature of Shayla’s personal evolution.
• Study paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Personal Growth’s Correlation to Change, Expressing Individuality Leads to Belonging, Authority Can Be Flawed, and The Pervasiveness of Racial Bias.
• Research, review, and create an action plan for engaging in local activism based on the 13 guiding principles of Black Lives Matter, all while deepening understanding of the overall themes in A Good Kind of Trouble.
• Analyze and evaluate the plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding Shayla’s relationship with Tyler and Jace, the use of figurative language in Shayla’s self-descriptions, and other topics.