A review by balberry
It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (Adapted for Young Readers) by Trevor Noah

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I accidentally picked up the young readers’ adaptation of Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime,” but hey, who am I to turn down a good book? Sure, I wish I had the full experience of the original, but the adaptation still managed to be profoundly educational and moving. Noah sprinkles in so much historical context about apartheid and South African culture throughout his childhood, which really helps paint the picture. The timeline jumps around a bit, but somehow it all comes together beautifully to build a compelling narrative. What struck me most was how the focus isn’t on Noah's rise to fame as a comedian; instead, it's about his journey to becoming a good person. The heart of the book is Noah's relationship with his mother, which is beautiful. Their love and respect for each other shine through. Themes of independence and freedom, both politically and within the family, resonate strongly throughout. I have a feeling this would be an incredible audiobook experience, especially with the emphasis on different languages and what they signify. One analogy that stuck with me was the proverb about teaching a man to fish but never giving him a fishing rod – a powerful metaphor for systemic racism. Overall, this was a beautiful read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Just maybe skip the young readers’ adaptation if you’re an adult.