MWSA Review

The Believer within You by Tyrone Burnett focuses on the issue of homelessness of children due to unjust eviction. The plot centers around a fraudulent scam in a local community with dishonest people in the banking and real estate industries as well as local government, who put financial gain above all other principles.

Burnett introduces a 12-year-old girl, Brenda Sue, who overhears a conversation that doesn’t sit right with her. Eventually, she shares it with her mother, Ida Jean, who works for the county’s tax commissioner’s office. Ida Jean takes the information Brenda told her to federal, state, and local authorities, and an investigation begins.

While the subject matter is relevant, serious, and a topic for discussion, I found the language to be far above the level of young adults. However, The Believer within You is illustrated throughout with brilliant depictions of the major plot events, and the quality of the book shines through on every page. The main storyline shows that young people can affect real change in their communities.

Review by Nancy Panko (June 2024)

Author's Synopsis

Over 10 million children across the nation teeter on the brink of homelessness or unjust eviction due to wrongful foreclosures, even before they can call newly constructed homes their own amid a global financial and housing crisis. Enter Brenda Sue Bellamy, an ordinary 12-year-old with her trusty notebook by her side. She uncovers alarming information, sparking a daunting realization: “This could happen to my family.” Driven by her invigorated spirit, she delves deep, documenting each revelation in her trusty notebook. Through her journey, she presents invaluable financial and educational insights, enlightening both young minds and adult readers. Now, faced with a pivotal decision, Brenda Sue stands at a crossroads: to stay silent, or to speak out and risk being silenced.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Young Adult (fiction or non-fiction)

Number of Pages: 82

Word Count: 4701