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drridareads's review against another edition
4.0
I really really liked this book.
I feel like Zoboi has crafted such life like such diverse characters.
I liked how our protagonist; Fabiola infuses her Vodou culture into all her actions and thoughts.
It shows family dynamics, it's importance and talks about "shit you do for fam".
The emotions, loss and pain shown was legit.
What i liked most was how the book refers to so many things problems of immigrants, drugs, lesbian and muslim characters but does not feel preachy at all.
I feel like Zoboi has crafted such life like such diverse characters.
I liked how our protagonist; Fabiola infuses her Vodou culture into all her actions and thoughts.
It shows family dynamics, it's importance and talks about "shit you do for fam".
The emotions, loss and pain shown was legit.
What i liked most was how the book refers to so many things problems of immigrants, drugs, lesbian and muslim characters but does not feel preachy at all.
hilaryannbrown's review against another edition
4.0
Brave, authentic, and intense. The ending was abrupt for me and I'm still processing whether or not it worked thematically, but the audio book was very well done.
goodem9199's review against another edition
3.0
I'm so frustrated with this book. On one hand I loved it, but I also have major problems with so much of it. I think the biggest issue is that I didn't like any of the characters. I need to think more on this one...
slsj_'s review against another edition
4.0
American Street started off pretty slow for me, and I didn't really get sucked in until about page 150. But boy, when I got sucked in I got sucked in.
This is a story about Fabiola who lived in Haiti with her mother, but is now on her way to start her new life in America. But on her journey her mother gets detained by immigration and Fabiola is forced to navigate her new life with her aunt and her cousins in Detroit without her mom. While there she starts to discover secrets about the people around her and wonders if revealing these secrets is worth the risk, if they get her mom back to her.
Plot:
I loved the plot. First off this story isn't about immigration it is more about knowing yourself, navigating through life on your own and accomplishing things that are important to you no matter the cost. Fabiola describes herself as an arm or a leg attached to her mother and I can relate to that really well, so the storyline centring around doing anything to get her mother back to her is easy to identify with and frankly fun to read. I like characters with nothing to lose and everything to gain, it makes their choices more interesting.
Some of the plot twists were very recognizable whereas there was one that wasn't---one that broke my heart. It came out of nowhere and I did not expect this book to be as intense as it was.
Although there was an element to the storyline that came into play that I don't feel was resolved it was still great nonetheless.
Characters:
They were all wonderfully written. Pri with her fight everyone/everything attitude, Donna with her makeup, Chantal with her street smarts, my sweetheart Kasim who just kept surprising me and evolving as a better character as the book went on. As for Fabiola to be completely honest I saw no growth. I feel like she was more enlightened and understands the world more, but I don't think she grew as a character. I feel like she is the same girl who wants the same things albeit a bit more Americanized and traumatized.
Dialog:
The speaking was culturally accurate (I'm guessing?) I've never been to Detroit or Haiti so I can't pass judgement. I will say that personally the "ghetto talk" was a bit much for me. It really annoyed me at the beginning of the book but as it progressed I got used to it.
Other:
I liked the family bond, how they stuck up for one another always. shit you do for fam, The real representation of how much effort it takes the live the dream in America and sending money back home to Haiti and how that was repeated over and over as important. (I know how this feels first hand) Working your butt off to send money to family elsewhere isn't easy and I love how this was highlighted in American Street.
I think the ending was a bit catastrophic for no real reason. I see the point (a very important one!) that the author was trying to make but I feel like it was overshadowed by the events leading up to and after it. It would have made a much bigger impact on me if that was the only real message rather than that tragedy be hidden inside betrayal, wrongdoings and more action.
Overall I really liked this book. I zoomed through the last 50% off it and with 4 stars it's something I would definitely recommend.
This is a story about Fabiola who lived in Haiti with her mother, but is now on her way to start her new life in America. But on her journey her mother gets detained by immigration and Fabiola is forced to navigate her new life with her aunt and her cousins in Detroit without her mom. While there she starts to discover secrets about the people around her and wonders if revealing these secrets is worth the risk, if they get her mom back to her.
Plot:
I loved the plot. First off this story isn't about immigration it is more about knowing yourself, navigating through life on your own and accomplishing things that are important to you no matter the cost. Fabiola describes herself as an arm or a leg attached to her mother and I can relate to that really well, so the storyline centring around doing anything to get her mother back to her is easy to identify with and frankly fun to read. I like characters with nothing to lose and everything to gain, it makes their choices more interesting.
Some of the plot twists were very recognizable whereas there was one that wasn't---one that broke my heart. It came out of nowhere and I did not expect this book to be as intense as it was.
Although there was an element to the storyline that came into play that I don't feel was resolved it was still great nonetheless.
Characters:
They were all wonderfully written. Pri with her fight everyone/everything attitude, Donna with her makeup, Chantal with her street smarts, my sweetheart Kasim who just kept surprising me and evolving as a better character as the book went on. As for Fabiola to be completely honest I saw no growth. I feel like she was more enlightened and understands the world more, but I don't think she grew as a character. I feel like she is the same girl who wants the same things albeit a bit more Americanized and traumatized.
Dialog:
The speaking was culturally accurate (I'm guessing?) I've never been to Detroit or Haiti so I can't pass judgement. I will say that personally the "ghetto talk" was a bit much for me. It really annoyed me at the beginning of the book but as it progressed I got used to it.
Other:
I liked the family bond, how they stuck up for one another always. shit you do for fam, The real representation of how much effort it takes the live the dream in America and sending money back home to Haiti and how that was repeated over and over as important. (I know how this feels first hand) Working your butt off to send money to family elsewhere isn't easy and I love how this was highlighted in American Street.
I think the ending was a bit catastrophic for no real reason. I see the point (a very important one!) that the author was trying to make but I feel like it was overshadowed by the events leading up to and after it. It would have made a much bigger impact on me if that was the only real message rather than that tragedy be hidden inside betrayal, wrongdoings and more action.
Overall I really liked this book. I zoomed through the last 50% off it and with 4 stars it's something I would definitely recommend.
rmm018's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
adrienneturner's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
gen_theromancenerd's review against another edition
This book is a good one if it's what you're into. I think I'm just too far removed from this. We have teenagers going to clubs and given drinks as if the club couldn't get their license taken away. There are adults around here viewing this and nothing is done.
You then have one sister dating a known drug dealer who not only cheats on her but he beats on her and her mother (and family) does nothing. This is just not what I look for in a young adult novel.
You then have one sister dating a known drug dealer who not only cheats on her but he beats on her and her mother (and family) does nothing. This is just not what I look for in a young adult novel.
ms_weird's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jennihowell's review against another edition
5.0
Stunning. I fell for these characters so, so hard. Very important book.
wazaubrey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0