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justcallmeemily's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Police brutality, Bullying, Physical abuse, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Emotional abuse
sarkenobi's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Racial slurs, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Racism
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Death of parent and Police brutality
ftmemobrew89's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Police brutality and Islamophobia
that_bookworm_guy's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
junglejelly's review against another edition
- 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? No
5.0
The authors do such an amazing job creating such gorgeous but heartbreaking work with such few words. The whole thing is captivating. I couldn't put the book down.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs and Grief
Minor: Violence
aprilyvonne's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yousef Salaam was an empowering and poignant story told in verse. I first discovered this unique narrative technique with Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. I can truly say that after reading a handful of books in this style, itâs one of my favourites.
The story of Amal, a young Black teen wrongly incarcerated, navigates a deeply flawed world determined to cage him in. With his artistic talent, the support of his mother, and the bonds of friendship, Amal finds the hope within to survive, to thrive, and to heal.
The story was deeply moving and the poetry palpable. Despite the biased and broken system, Amal is able to rise up.
Iâll end this with one of my favourite poems, Dust.
âThey canât kill you in here
but they will try, Umi says
from across the round table
Thatâs the point
Locking you up isnât enough
for them They will try
to crush your spirit until
youâre nothing butâ
Dust
we both say together
And what does dust do, Amal?
What did Maya Angelou say about dust?
Umi asks
It rises, I whisperâ
âŚ
I encourage you all to read this one. đŤś
Minor: Police brutality, Grief, Violence, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Racial slurs
upgirlcd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is powerful.
This book speaks truth from a perspective most of us do not ever see.
As a Caucasian, Gen X woman, it is perspective for me to deeply wrap my head & heart around. My privilege.
I've been wrongly accused of shit like- sleeping with someone's man; passing a school bus.
Not even relatable to the color of my skin getting me incarcerated for assault.
The hip hop poetic writing makes this work even more powerful.
Read Punching the Air.
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Violence, Police brutality, and Confinement
sglance9's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Confinement
Moderate: Slavery and Violence
zombiezami's review
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Violence, Racism, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Cursing, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Medical content, and Slavery
takarakei's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Bullying