Anger Is a Gift

Anger Is a Gift

• Genre: Young adult fiction; contemporary
• Originally Published: 2018
• Reading Level/Interest: Young adult (ages 14 and up)
• Structure/Length: Novel divided into chapters; approximately 464 pages; audiobook length approximately 13 hours, 23 minutes
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Anger Is a Gift is a young adult contemporary novel by Mark Oshiro. The central conflict revolves around Moss Jeffries, a teenager who has anxiety and is dealing with the trauma of his father's death. Set in an environment infused with racism, Moss’s life takes a dramatic turn when his school becomes increasingly oppressive, leading to an incident of police brutality. The novel explores themes of racism, social justice, activism, and the power of community. Mark Oshiro’s storytelling combines a heartfelt examination of identity and resilience with an unflinching look at the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of racism, police brutality, trauma, and social justice

Mark Oshiro, Author

• Bio: American author and activist known for their contributions to young adult literature and their advocacy for diversity and inclusion in literature; Oshiro is celebrated for their works including “Each of Us a Desert” and their online platform “Mark Reads”
• Other Works: “Each of Us a Desert” (2020); “Mark Reads” (online platform); Mark Oshiro’s novels often explore themes of identity, social justice, and the experiences of marginalized individuals
• Awards: Schneider Family Book Award for Teens (2019)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Police Brutality
• Institutional Racism
• Intersectionality
• Anger

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

• Gain an understanding of the socio-political and historical contexts around Police Brutality in America, which shapes Moss’s experiences as a young person of color in West Oakland.
• Study paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Police Brutality, Institutional Racism, Intersectionality, and Anger.
• Embark on a “privilege walk” to reveal the privilege (or lack thereof) experienced by Moss and the other characters in the novel.
• Analyze and evaluate plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding Moss’s panic attacks, how intersectionality is explored in Moss’s diverse friend group, and other topics.