Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon masterfully weaves six love stories during a summer blackout in New York City. Praised for its diverse characters, engaging narrative voices, and reflections on Black joy and love, the book is occasionally critiqued for varying story impact. An enlightening and heartfelt read.

Readers who enjoy Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon will appreciate diverse, contemporary YA romance with a focus on Black teens. Fans of The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon and Love, Simon by Becky Albertalli will find it similarly engaging.

Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon is a collection of interconnected short stories celebrating Black teens in New York City during a city-wide blackout. Various characters, including Tammi, Kareem, JJ, Tremaine, Nella, Joss, Lana, Kayla, Tristán, Grace, and Seymour, navigate personal revelations and romantic encounters amidst the chaos. The book contains discussions of bullying and themes related to exploring sexual orientation and identity.

Romantic / Hopeful / Emotional / Heartwarming

- The novel "Blackout" is a collaborative effort by six prominent YA authors: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon, each contributing to different interconnected stories within the book.
- Set in a power outage that hits New York City, "Blackout" celebrates Black teen love through varying narratives that focus on queer relationships, friendships, and first loves.
- This unique collaboration arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the authors' creative synergy and commitment to diversity in storytelling by featuring Black protagonists and culturally rich stories.

**Tammi**  
A Black teenage girl from New York City who dreams of a career in film and television, striving for transformation and personal growth after a breakup.

**Kareem**  
A Black teenage boy in New York City pursuing a career in music, deeply connected to those around him, and shares a complex relationship with Tammi.

**Nella**  
A Black queer teenage girl in New York City who learns to embrace her vulnerability and kindness through new friendships, while dealing with the heartbreak of unrequited love.

**Joss**  
A confident and empathetic Black teenage girl in New York City who helps Nella see her own worth, enhancing senior citizens' lives in her community.

**JJ (Jacorey “JJ” Harding)**  
A Black teenage boy in New York City struggling with his identity and passion, who finds solace and clarity through connecting with community members and exploring his true self.

**Tremaine**  
A Black teenage boy in New York City dedicated to photography, who finds connection and courage in expressing his true self through a chance encounter at a masquerade ball.

**Grace**  
A Jamaican teenage girl living in New York City, navigating personal relationships and friendships while exploring new opportunities and experiences.

**Seymour**  
A Black teenage boy in New York City who supports his family after personal loss and finds kinship and curiosity through connections with others.

**Lana**  
A Black teenage girl in New York City with dreams of being a writer, who struggles to express her romantic feelings for her lifelong friend.

**Tristán**  
A Black teenage boy in New York City who is competitive and caring, deeply connected to his best friend Lana, with whom he shares a long-standing bond.

**Tre’Shawn**  
A Black teenage boy from Mississippi, who demonstrates maturity in his relationship with Kayla and supports her through a significant personal decision.

**Kayla Simmons**  
A Black teenage girl from Mississippi managing anxiety and societal expectations, striving to discover and pursue her own desires and independence.

**Micah**  
A Black teenage boy from Mississippi who is frank and supportive, playing a key role in Kayla's exploration of her own dreams and potential.

Dhonielle Clayton

Tiffany D. Jackson

Nic Stone

Angie Thomas

Ashley Woodfolk

Nicola Yoon

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Blackout reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Blackout | SuperSummary

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content

Overview

Get ready to explore Blackout and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Blackout Summary and Study Guide

Background

Blackout Background

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section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

“The Long Walk: Act 1”

Blackout “The Long Walk: Act 1” Summary & Analysis

“Mask Off”

Blackout “Mask Off” Summary & Analysis

“The Long Walk: Act 2”

Blackout “The Long Walk: Act 2” Summary & Analysis

“Made to Fit”

Blackout “Made to Fit” Summary & Analysis

“The Long Walk: Act 3”

Blackout “The Long Walk: Act 3” Summary & Analysis

“All the Great Love Stories…and Dust”

Blackout “All the Great Love Stories…and Dust” Summary & Analysis

“The Long Walk: Act 4”

Blackout “The Long Walk: Act 4” Summary & Analysis

“No Sleep Till Brooklyn”

Blackout “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” Summary & Analysis

“The Long Walk: Act 5”

Blackout “The Long Walk: Act 5” Summary & Analysis

“Seymour and Grace”

Blackout “Seymour and Grace” Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Blackout Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Blackout Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Blackout Symbols & Motifs

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citation

Important Quotes

Blackout Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Blackout Essay Topics

Blackout

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Blackout?

Reading Age

Book Details