How It Went Down — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
Not found
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
Get the full theme breakdown in the app
Detailed evidence, confidence ratings, and source citations for every theme.
Download for iOSExample theme card
Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
When sixteen-year-old Tariq Johnson dies from two gunshot wounds, his community is thrown into an uproar. Tariq was black. The shooter, Jack Franklin, is white.
In the aftermath of Tariq's death, everyone has something to say, but no two accounts of the events line up. Day by day, new twists further obscure the truth.
Tariq's friends, family, and community struggle to make sense of the tragedy, and to cope with the hole left behind when a life is cut short. In their own words, they grapple for a way to say with certainty: This is how it went down.
How It Went Down is a timely story by acclaimed author Kekla Magoon who won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for The Rock and the River, and whose book X :A Novel (written with Ilyasah Shabazz) was longlisted for the National Book Award.
This title has Common Core connections.
Frequently asked questions
Is How It Went Down appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book includes significant violence, such as the murder of an unarmed teenager and descriptions of blood and CPR being administered. Other violent acts include threats with knives and physical assaults. The story is described as haunting and heartbreaking, reflecting the real-life tragedies similar to the murder of Trayvon Martin, which may evoke fear and anxiety.
Does How It Went Down have violence?
The book includes significant violence, such as the murder of an unarmed teenager and descriptions of blood and CPR being administered. Other violent acts include threats with knives and physical assaults.
Does How It Went Down have scary content?
The story is described as haunting and heartbreaking, reflecting the real-life tragedies similar to the murder of Trayvon Martin, which may evoke fear and anxiety.
Does How It Went Down have religious themes?
No religious content, practices, or beliefs are present in the narrative of 'How It Went Down'.
Does How It Went Down have racial/cultural content?
The book centers on the racial dynamics surrounding the murder of a Black teenager, addressing themes of racial bias and community responses to violence against Black individuals.
Does How It Went Down have profanity?
The book contains harsh profanity, which is noted as significant in the context of the story.
Does How It Went Down have climate change?
No climate-related themes or discussions are present in the narrative of 'How It Went Down'.
Does How It Went Down have sexual identity?
The narrative contains references to sexual innuendos, including implications of an inappropriate relationship between a pastor and a young girl.
Does How It Went Down have gender roles?
No specific gender roles or themes related to gender expectations are identified in the search results for 'How It Went Down'.
Does How It Went Down have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the search results for 'How It Went Down'.
