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The Talk by Darrin Bell is a graphic novel about the conversation every parent of a Black child has to have around how their race impacts how others will treat them. In this narrative, Darrin uses the metaphor of how a person communicates with a dog in order to show they are not a threat. This example is weaved throughout the novel as a way to understand how terrifying it is when, as a person in a Black body, you feel that you are in harm's way and can experience violence at any unpredictable turn.

We read the protagonist's coming of age journey, the way his mother fiercely advocated for him and the way his father failed to teach him certain lessons about being a Black man. At the end of the narrative, the protagonist has his own son and is able to teach him the lessons he had to learn on his own through trial and error.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It condenses hard to process information in relatable terms that young people will understand while also providing intersecting narratives on what it means to grow up, develop friendships, fall in love, cultivate your professional skills and career, and make meaning out of life's experiences - even the most painful ones.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!