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rrowanreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bujoxbooked's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book has been on my list for a long while now, so I can finally check it off! Overall it was an alright book...I get the idea of it with shining a light on Black boys in the juvenile justice system and the systemic/outside factors that impact that. I liked that Amal was a very creative kid with his writing and his poetry and creative overall mindset.
embe94's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
paz_books's review against another edition
5.0
This book is just so so important. I was honestly on the brink of tears for the whole read. Every single chapter/poem was so incredibly written and heartfelt- it just felt so real and honest- which was worsened when I found out that one of the author's own story was weaved inside. I loved how the main character’s name literally meant hope- because that really should be what you take from this book. Hope. Hope for a better society, a better future, a better chance. The happenings in this book happen everywhere, all the time, and it is despicable. But, there is hope. We are moving in the right direction and there are more people out there helping, more people who are infuriated by the lack of change. So yes. Hope. Hope that there WILL BE change. I'm writing this right after I've finished so my head is still honestly all over the place but please read this book.
annuhfloor's review against another edition
4.0
Remind me, to read this one again in a while, when my mind stops wondering around. The book is amazing, the way of writing, capturing the pain and... Just, wauw.
c8_19's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Having previously read Salaam's memoir, it was intriguing to read a work of fiction he collaborated on and getting emotion and perspective from what happened to someone entering a facility that was meant to feel very immediate and sensitive. His memoir (which I really enjoyed) was more reflective, which makes sense given the time between his wrongful conviction and when he wrote about it as a more mature, wise person. So, I appreciate getting the perspective here, and Amal was portrayed as a compellingly complicated character.
hannuuh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
salamanda909's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0