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slflorence99's review
5.0
While Challenger Deep took me deep in to the mind of a teen struggling with reality, Punching the Air took me deep into the mind of a teen dealing with reality: the reality of a still unequal society, lacking true justice. Beautiful, heart wrenching prose and imagery captured me from page 1.
lindyloureads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
thatothernigeriangirl's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Upsetting based-on-real-life youth detention and wrongful conviction story in verse.
I had heard of the Central Park Five, and knowing one of the co-authors was part of this group made me look into it more. The story here is an account based on this real case of wrongfully incarcerated young people, birthing a whole life, education and character of one boy accused and sent to prison after a violent incident.
Amal tells us gradually about what happened. About his family, his school, his dreams, and about his court case and experiences inside youth prison.
We see the truth behind what outsiders might think they see - how misconceptions, stereotypes and quickness to judge, as well as outright racism, can bring about unfair treatment and even miscarriages of justice.
The verse structure worked for the audiobook format, chapters were short and moved quickly from topic to topic. It covered a lot of ground and gave insight directly into each of Amal's experiences. Some felt quite graphic as he finds himself treated badly both inside and outside of custody.
This was a quick read, one that gave a lot to worry and think about, and would be very useful for secondary schools looking at related topics and news items.
For ages 13+.
I had heard of the Central Park Five, and knowing one of the co-authors was part of this group made me look into it more. The story here is an account based on this real case of wrongfully incarcerated young people, birthing a whole life, education and character of one boy accused and sent to prison after a violent incident.
Amal tells us gradually about what happened. About his family, his school, his dreams, and about his court case and experiences inside youth prison.
We see the truth behind what outsiders might think they see - how misconceptions, stereotypes and quickness to judge, as well as outright racism, can bring about unfair treatment and even miscarriages of justice.
The verse structure worked for the audiobook format, chapters were short and moved quickly from topic to topic. It covered a lot of ground and gave insight directly into each of Amal's experiences. Some felt quite graphic as he finds himself treated badly both inside and outside of custody.
This was a quick read, one that gave a lot to worry and think about, and would be very useful for secondary schools looking at related topics and news items.
For ages 13+.
groesver's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
janagaton's review
4.0
Though I probably would've enjoyed this book more had I read it physically rather than audibly, that does not deter from the creatively powerful and beautiful writing. In addition to the book being told in verse, I especially loved that our main character loves art & reading, and that those things help him get through his time in jail. This is yet another important story highlighting injustices and oppression towards Black people, even those of young ages, that needs to be told and internalized.
cesttemps's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
iri00's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0