Scan barcode
brooketreads's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was weird and beautiful. Maybe like life. I liked the lists like in “how I arrived.” I believe there were some real stories mixed in with fantastical endings - like cops interrogating Black boys without their parents, the boys jump on their bikes and the bikes start riding off in the air. The piece about her grandma and not being able to remember any sermons at her grandma’s church but remembering whose grandbaby she is 🥹 There were so many great lines throughout. Here are a couple of my favorite ones: (read these after you’ve read it)
- “… what I mean is I’ll eat you alive, slipping the blade in sideways, cutting nothing
because the space was always there.”
- “…-the whole messy lovely true story of myself…”
I loved this but it’s a little longer than the other two:
- “When it’s time to roll you have to keep everybody tethered to you
no matter how heavy or hungry or ugly they get.
You have to keep their soreness and their worst parts
And their smashed tin wants and their construction paper crowns
and their everything they ever wanted for you and for them.”
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
blackcatkai's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
CW: racism, sexism, sexual harassment, classism, death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Death and Sexual harassment
daramillz's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Beautiful and interesting, especially if you have any connection to Chicago. “At work with my father” was reminiscent of Robert Hayden’s “Those Winter Sundays” to me, and just as touching. I bookmarked multiple poems as ones I’d love to share with my students.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Sexual harassment
meaghanelizabook's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
More...