---
product_id: 50730470
title: "The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives"
price: "VT8220"
currency: VUV
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/50730470-the-57-bus-a-true-story-of-two-teenagers-crime
store_origin: VU
region: Vanuatu
---

# The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives

**Price:** VT8220
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

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- **What is this?** The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives
- **How much does it cost?** VT8220 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/50730470-the-57-bus-a-true-story-of-two-teenagers-crime)

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## Description

The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives [Slater, Dashka] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives

Review: A Masterclass in Empathy - Great YA Read - The 57 Bus is a rare achievement. It takes a horrific, headline-grabbing incident—a teenager setting another teen's skirt on fire on a public bus—and peels back the layers to show the human beings on both sides of the flame. Why this stands out: Objective Reporting: Dashka Slater doesn't tell you what to think; she gives you the facts, the history of Oakland, the nuances of the juvenile justice system, and the backgrounds of both Sasha and Richard. Complex Themes: It explores gender identity, race, class, and the "school-to-prison pipeline" without ever feeling like a lecture. It’s a page-turner that also makes you pause and reflect on every page. Restorative Justice: The exploration of whether "punishment" equals "justice" is handled with incredible care. Don’t Stop Here: If you find yourself moved by Slater’s storytelling, I highly recommend her other book, Accountable. It handles similarly difficult themes regarding social media and teen accountability with the same journalistic rigor and heart.
Review: You will experience every emotion reading this! - The 57 Bus is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it. Dashka Slater tells the true story of two teenagers in Oakland whose lives collide on a city bus—Sasha, a white nonbinary student, and Richard, a Black teen from a very different background. One split-second decision changes everything for both of them. What I appreciated most is that this isn’t just about the crime itself. The author takes time to show the humanity of both kids—their families, their struggles, and their hopes for the future. It made me think deeply about issues like race, gender identity, privilege, forgiveness, and what real justice looks like. The chapters are short and easy to follow, so even with such heavy topics, it never feels overwhelming. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, and at times heartbreaking, but also full of compassion and nuance. If you like true stories that make you reflect and see the world differently, this book is absolutely worth reading.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #10,973 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1 in Teen & Young Adult LGBTQ+ Issues #23 in Censorship & Politics #343 in LGBTQ+ Books |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (4,219) |
| Dimensions  | 5.85 x 1.1 x 8.55 inches |
| Grade level  | 7 - 9 |
| ISBN-10  | 0374303231 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0374303235 |
| Item Weight  | 2.31 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 336 pages |
| Publication date  | October 17, 2017 |
| Publisher  | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) |
| Reading age  | 12 - 18 years |

## Images

![The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ygmVMug9L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Masterclass in Empathy - Great YA Read
*by K***B on January 2, 2026*

The 57 Bus is a rare achievement. It takes a horrific, headline-grabbing incident—a teenager setting another teen's skirt on fire on a public bus—and peels back the layers to show the human beings on both sides of the flame. Why this stands out: Objective Reporting: Dashka Slater doesn't tell you what to think; she gives you the facts, the history of Oakland, the nuances of the juvenile justice system, and the backgrounds of both Sasha and Richard. Complex Themes: It explores gender identity, race, class, and the "school-to-prison pipeline" without ever feeling like a lecture. It’s a page-turner that also makes you pause and reflect on every page. Restorative Justice: The exploration of whether "punishment" equals "justice" is handled with incredible care. Don’t Stop Here: If you find yourself moved by Slater’s storytelling, I highly recommend her other book, Accountable. It handles similarly difficult themes regarding social media and teen accountability with the same journalistic rigor and heart.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ You will experience every emotion reading this!
*by J***E on September 17, 2025*

The 57 Bus is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it. Dashka Slater tells the true story of two teenagers in Oakland whose lives collide on a city bus—Sasha, a white nonbinary student, and Richard, a Black teen from a very different background. One split-second decision changes everything for both of them. What I appreciated most is that this isn’t just about the crime itself. The author takes time to show the humanity of both kids—their families, their struggles, and their hopes for the future. It made me think deeply about issues like race, gender identity, privilege, forgiveness, and what real justice looks like. The chapters are short and easy to follow, so even with such heavy topics, it never feels overwhelming. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, and at times heartbreaking, but also full of compassion and nuance. If you like true stories that make you reflect and see the world differently, this book is absolutely worth reading.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Based on a True Story
*by T***R on May 5, 2024*

The book was good quality, no ripped or folded over pages. The dust jacket had a nice feel to it and I enjoyed reading the physical book. As far as the story goes, it's a research type story. It seems that this is based on a true story (I didn't know anything of it when I purchased it). The book reads well if you like non-fiction. If you don't like stories about teens who are questioning their gender and identity, you probably won't like this book. But, if you want to educate yourself or just read a story about how kids feel/handle peer pressure, this is a good little dive into reality. It takes place in the 21st century and tells the story from both teens points of view. It researches their background and gives the reader a dive into the emotions of those directly and indirectly involved. Did all of the interviews and tidbits relate to the story? Yes. Did the book flow as well as a fiction or historical fiction? No. Am I likely to read this again? Probably not. Would I recommend this to a friend? Only if they were interested in this topic. There are some recollections of the violence that took place and could be a trigger for teens or adults. I would not recommend it to a pre-teen, but would recommend it to a teen or adult.

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*Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu*
*Store origin: VU*
*Last updated: 2026-03-08*