One afternoon in Oakland, California, a white teenager named Sasha was riding the 57 bus home when a Black teenager named Richard set her skirt on fire with a lighter. The incident was caught on the bus's security camera and went viral, turning what seemed like a simple act of violence into a racially charged national news story. But what really happened on the 57 bus? Dashka Slater delves deep into the lives of Sasha and Richard to uncover the events leading up to the incident and the aftermath that followed. Sasha is an agender teen struggling with anxiety and finding their place in the world. Richard is a troubled youth who lives with his grandmother and battles with anger management. Through their stories, Slater explores complex themes of race, class, gender identity, and the challenges facing young people today. "The 57 Bus" is more than just an account of a crime; it's a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of adolescence, the systems that fail young people, and the ripple effects of a single, impulsive act