True True

by Don P. Hooper. Nancy Paulsen Books, June 2023  
Review of advanced copy; page numbers may change in final print

Don P. Hooper is a writer, poet, filmmaker, and voice over actor of Jamaican heritage. As a child, he wrote his own comic books with Black heroes. He lives in New York City. True True is Hooper’s debut novel.

In this first person narrative, Gil Powell, the main character, is Jamaican American, a senior in high school, and a black belt in karate. For a chance at a better education, Gil and his family decided he’d attend a private, predominantly white high school in Manhattan for his senior year. His father was deported because of his citizenship, his mother works hard in a new job, and his Granma, who lives with his family, is in early stages of dementia. Gil is as street smart as he is intellectually smart. In this story, he’s trying to figure out how to maneuver white dominated spaces as a young Black man. He’s learning how to be heard by people who don’t want to hear him. With his father in Jamaica, much of Gil’s guidance comes from The Art of War.

What works: In situation after situation, Gil gave away his agency. When talking with young ladies, he neglected to get their phone number. He made promises he didn’t keep, often not showing up for people close to him. Hooper created a mini universe for Gil that is filled with people who support him. This includes Rej and Stretch who he’s known since third grade; his granma whom he can talk to about anything; his older sister who gives him books as freely as she gives him advice, and at this new school, CJ and Tammy seem to quickly be becoming friends. Like so many real-life teens, Gil is busy, and everything he’s trying to do feels important, and this results in him constantly letting people down. Hooper plants some serious nuggets about how to maneuver life, what to value, and how to remain consistent, even in – especially in – the face of oppression. Gil is learning a lot through his confrontations and interactions.

 I feel like trash. I been wondering if Tammy was dodging me all this time, when she was doing the work. Helping her friend. Being there for Janeil. The way Rej has been looking out for me. The way I used to look out for him. 

“My life started before I got here, and everything being everything, it’ll continue after I leave,” Janeil continues. “See right here. These moments with y’all, my fam, these are the times that really make me. This what I’m about.”

“True true,” I say. She’s right. I been giving so much energy to think about what they’ve been doing to me. This war. I haven’t been paying attention to the things that matter. (p. 269)

Gil is beginning to realize how much he’s giving away, how much this war is distracting him, and what really matters.

Hooper manages to coalesce a variety of issues addressed throughout the book through a common theme and similar messages. Gil comes to understand the source of his power, as will the reader.

What doesn’t work: Gil has so many strong relationships, it might have been interesting to have seen some of them explored a bit more.

I liked how Hooper described skin tones. The metaphors and adjectives he used provided a rich array of colors. But, when he introduced us to Darius, a new male friend of Nakia, we’re told he has “high yellow hands”. (p. 227) I didn’t realize people still said that! I’ve always tried to figure out the term. I suppose high yellow is a lighter shade of black than low yellow?        

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