Yoo, Paula. Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire. Norton Young Readers, 05/2024. 358pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-3240-3090-4. GRADES 6–10. OUTSTANDING.
In April 1992, Los Angeles was in flames. When the ashes cooled, sixty-eight were dead and America’s largest Korean neighborhood was rubble. First person accounts, shifting perspectives, dynamic writing, and extensive research weave together interviews, photos, and background information to illuminate what sparked a violent, racially inspired uprising that caused a billion dollars in property damage, and captured the world’s attention. Yoo focuses on Korean and Black experiences, set against a backdrop of systemic racism. Attention is paid to how the response to the uprising shaped Korean American identity. Central figures Rodney King, Latasha Harlins, and Edward Lee move past sensationalized victimhood to come alive. Though necessarily episodic, this page-turning account is mostly even-handed, offering dozens of perspectives. Particularly noteworthy is the pivotal role Radio Korea played in providing lifesaving news and advocacy. Some narrative efforts gloss over individual responsibility, keeping the focus on the bigger picture, but straining the reader’s credulity. Back matter includes source notes, bibliography, audio/video resources, photo credits, and index. Includes California-specific content.
Melissa McAvoy—Retired