Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam

117 reviews

melmattocks21's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-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

While this was a quick read, it took awhile due to the heavy content. I enjoyed reading Amal’s story, but couldn’t believe how abrupt the ending was. That disappointed me because I felt there was so much left unsaid. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Racism, and Violence

thyroyalreader's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Police brutality

Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Violence, and Classism

knifewifestan's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting

criticalbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence

birkenstonk's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality

brookey8888's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

4.5

Wow was very good. I honestly had no clue what this was about when I picked it up, I just recognized the author. This is such an important story that everyone should read. It does discuss hard, but important topics so be prepared. Some of the poems(?) gave me goosebumps. The reason it’s a 4.5 is because it did take me a while to get used to the verse and kind of connect with the story, but once I did I couldn’t put this down. Highly recommend! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

dpearson5257's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I knew going into this book it would be very challenging and very emotional but man it was so beautifully done and so much better than I expected! It is a fiction story that was inspired by a true story, revolving around an incarcerated teen, wrongly convicted, the justice system, and racial injustice. It is a very traumatic read but so worth it. And the underlying theme of hope no matter what your circumstances are, just had me reeled in from the very beginning. I did have to stop a few times to gather myself because of how emotional it is. And loved it was written is prose, very intriguing read!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Violence

rachael_amber's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence

maddietsteele's review against another edition

emotional hopeful fast-paced

4.0

This book in verse follows a young Black and Muslim teenager who is wrongly convicted of a crime. There is a lot of anger and hope shimmering through these pages. I loved the discussion of how art and writing can help you to be free and express your truth. Definitely an emotional read, but there is a strong hopeful tone as well. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

edensbookshelf's review against another edition

dark informative sad 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism