Scan barcode
thebeesknees79's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
What a beautiful depiction of a young man’s coming of age. Ta’Nehisi Coates is poetic, prophetic, and master of the writing craft. This is a book that ALL high schoolers need to read (as well as all people). I can see the power this book holds to transform people’s perspective on how to navigate high school and what comes next.
jwinchell's review
3.0
It hurts to give this 3 stars because I’m a huge Coates fan and I love that he adapted his memoir about his father for young readers. I found it inaccessible— too writerly. Too many references not explained. So many obscure observations. Parts were good and would be relatable for many— not doing well in school, the Consciousness his father instilled in him, his amorphous family and gained street smarts. It is relatively short with just right chapters, but the literary and writerly nature of his writing will be a barrier to many young readers.
btpbookclub's review
4.0
This is an abridged version for young adult readers. It’s a story about his upbringing as a black male. The education system. The law. His parents. His family. Friends. Employment. Fights. Basically all in one. It’s an eye opener of a read. Especially how much His dad focused on him to do well with tough love.
In parts it’s a tough read. But the author has been honest throughout here and I think many can relate to what he has had to experience himself. A beautiful memoir but he hasn’t had it easy. I’d love to read the full version. Highly recommend. A quick read, not long. A well deserved four stars.
In parts it’s a tough read. But the author has been honest throughout here and I think many can relate to what he has had to experience himself. A beautiful memoir but he hasn’t had it easy. I’d love to read the full version. Highly recommend. A quick read, not long. A well deserved four stars.
bibliobethica's review
2.0
I have read Ta-Nehisi Coates and loved his books. I picked this up thinking high school students would enjoy it, but I don't think YA audiences will enjoy it. Its slow pace, slang, and mature vocabulary will not appeal to younger audiences.
trisha_thomas's review
4.0
"She knew that I had no idea how close I was, would always be, to the edge, how easily boys like me were erased in absurd, impractical ways."
What a wonderful story. I loved the reflection back on his childhood but also mainly his relationship with his father. I loved the lyrical quality of the writing - that most times it described the scene and let you imagine it and how it all played out. It's well done, the feeling of danger encroaching on a childhood that was carefree but also careful. The lessons taught by father but also by the neighborhood, friends and the brothers he had. I really liked this one.
What a wonderful story. I loved the reflection back on his childhood but also mainly his relationship with his father. I loved the lyrical quality of the writing - that most times it described the scene and let you imagine it and how it all played out. It's well done, the feeling of danger encroaching on a childhood that was carefree but also careful. The lessons taught by father but also by the neighborhood, friends and the brothers he had. I really liked this one.
kristensreadingnook's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I have liked the books I’ve read by Ta-Nehisi Coates, so I was excited for a chance to read his YA adapted memoir. He is a great writer, but I think that’s the reason some of this book went over my head. He’s too smart for me.
This memoir is a coming-of-age memoir, describing his childhood in Baltimore. He was one of 7 children fathered by a member of the Black Panther party to 4 different women. That in and of itself would, no doubt, have brought some interesting familial relationships.
We follow his life as he grows, graduating from Woodlawn and having to decide what to do after graduating- go to the college of his parents’ choosing, or make his own path.
(Listeners of the Serial podcast will recognize his high school as the one Adnan Syed went to.)
Thank you to NetGalley for an Arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have liked the books I’ve read by Ta-Nehisi Coates, so I was excited for a chance to read his YA adapted memoir. He is a great writer, but I think that’s the reason some of this book went over my head. He’s too smart for me.
This memoir is a coming-of-age memoir, describing his childhood in Baltimore. He was one of 7 children fathered by a member of the Black Panther party to 4 different women. That in and of itself would, no doubt, have brought some interesting familial relationships.
We follow his life as he grows, graduating from Woodlawn and having to decide what to do after graduating- go to the college of his parents’ choosing, or make his own path.
(Listeners of the Serial podcast will recognize his high school as the one Adnan Syed went to.)
Thank you to NetGalley for an Arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
notesonbookmarks's review
4.0
A memoir of Ta-Nehisi's childhood and young adult years, rewritten for young adults.
sammymilfort's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, and Slavery
Minor: Hate crime and Gun violence