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brassnbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
3.25
Not a bad book
Wasn't expecting the book to end when it did so I was a bit disappointed (reading from my ereader) and it felt a little abrupt because of that
Otherwise it was a solid read, not my most favorite book but not a bad one probably in the middle ranking star wise
I do love how they use art throughout the book especially when his art teacher doesn't believe what he creates is his truth
I will also say the officer who has a tattoo is so accurate in symbolism and yet picturing that tattoo is nerve wracking
Wasn't expecting the book to end when it did so I was a bit disappointed (reading from my ereader) and it felt a little abrupt because of that
Otherwise it was a solid read, not my most favorite book but not a bad one probably in the middle ranking star wise
I do love how they use art throughout the book
I will also say
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Confinement and Classism
rosie722's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Violence
daffodildyke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
I don’t think I have ever read a novel in verse before. I borrowed both the ebook and the audiobook of this from my local library online and I am so glad I did.
This is a powerful story of hope and the experience of young black men in particular in the prison system. But it is also about hope - the authors say that in the authors note too - Amal is the main character and Amal’s name literally means hope.
I am so glad I was able to listen to this in audiobook form because I think so much of its power is being read aloud, and the rhythm and flow of the words was done such justice by the narrator.
The fact this story is inspired by true events, the style with which it managed to balance hope and the power of art and creativity with the brutality and cruelty of racism, of racist institutions and the prison industrial complex is masterful.
I feel like I would have given it 5 stars aside from the fact I felt like the ending was too abrupt and came too soon considering. I imagine this was intentional, but as a narrative it left me wanting more and needing to know conclusions that we do not get.
Overall, an impeccable read that I would recommend to anyone, but especially to white people because Amal’s story is a gentle, lyrical but hard hitting account of the struggles in a racist society and we owe everyone who suffers under that to educate ourselves!
This is a powerful story of hope and the experience of young black men in particular in the prison system. But it is also about hope - the authors say that in the authors note too - Amal is the main character and Amal’s name literally means hope.
I am so glad I was able to listen to this in audiobook form because I think so much of its power is being read aloud, and the rhythm and flow of the words was done such justice by the narrator.
The fact this story is inspired by true events, the style with which it managed to balance hope and the power of art and creativity with the brutality and cruelty of racism, of racist institutions and the prison industrial complex is masterful.
I feel like I would have given it 5 stars aside from the fact I felt like the ending was too abrupt and came too soon considering. I imagine this was intentional, but as a narrative it left me wanting more and needing to know conclusions that we do not get.
Overall, an impeccable read that I would recommend to anyone, but especially to white people because Amal’s story is a gentle, lyrical but hard hitting account of the struggles in a racist society and we owe everyone who suffers under that to educate ourselves!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Police brutality
mandkips's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Slavery
kryskross's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
reading this book was an experience. punching the air is neither too plot- nor character-driven - amal and the tide of his days and life are instead driven along by the oppressive system - but the emotions it's able to evoke from the reader are sth else.
zoboi and salaam masterfully use the verse form to their advantage, visually depicting the oppressiveness and sense of being trapped deeply felt by amal and many black boys and men everywhere under the american prison industrial complex. how the system and the white ppl who both consciously and inadvertently uphold it are illustrated w/ nuance and a keen eye, their ignorance and racism so ingrained they arent even aware of the power of their words or actions, and all of it maddening esp in the juvie setting. this book's also abt art and its power, and the structure and incorporation of drawing and many visual elements rly complement the aforementioned themes.
tbh the novel's content and msg arent anything unfamiliar, but i think what truly makes it unique is the whole absorbing experience the one feels reading it. the emotions it evokes are near total, and one feels strongly connected to amal and what he's going thru. perhaps the fact that salaam himself has been thru the very same thing as amal has sth to do w/ it, and he's able to channel it all very well here.
overall, this is a very emotionally absorbing and powerful book. it's not rly plot-heavy but its form and structure are surprisingly effective and impactful.
zoboi and salaam masterfully use the verse form to their advantage, visually depicting the oppressiveness and sense of being trapped deeply felt by amal and many black boys and men everywhere under the american prison industrial complex. how the system and the white ppl who both consciously and inadvertently uphold it are illustrated w/ nuance and a keen eye, their ignorance and racism so ingrained they arent even aware of the power of their words or actions, and all of it maddening esp in the juvie setting. this book's also abt art and its power, and the structure and incorporation of drawing and many visual elements rly complement the aforementioned themes.
tbh the novel's content and msg arent anything unfamiliar, but i think what truly makes it unique is the whole absorbing experience the one feels reading it. the emotions it evokes are near total, and one feels strongly connected to amal and what he's going thru. perhaps the fact that salaam himself has been thru the very same thing as amal has sth to do w/ it, and he's able to channel it all very well here.
overall, this is a very emotionally absorbing and powerful book. it's not rly plot-heavy but its form and structure are surprisingly effective and impactful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
space_bandit's review against another edition
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
stekka__'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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? Yes
4.25
An amazing book! Written in an interesting style that was easy to get through but kept you interested from star t to end. Loved this inspiring story about injustice and race:)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Cursing and Hate crime
Minor: Death of parent
iheartm4m's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood
atlas_likes_to_read's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
This was a beautifully written story that I had to give five stars. Initially, I was going to give a 4.75, but the fact this is based partially on true events makes it even more heartbreaking and pushes it up to five stars. Amal is a fantastically mapped out character and Yusef is so strong for everything he's been through and so amazing for all he's achieved. I recommend this book to everyone, especially those who are uneducated on the justice system, and to black youth trying to find their way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality
black writers, diversity, incarceration, poetry, art, strong main characters, black youth, POC, creative