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stassi888 's review for:
All American Boys
by Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely is easily one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to in a long time. It’s one of those stories that feels so timely but doesn’t try too hard to be “relevant” or make a statement just for the sake of it. Everything about it feels real and intentional. The dual narration works perfectly because it gives both Rashad and Quinn distinct, authentic voices that you can connect with on a deeper level. You’re not just hearing a story, you’re really stepping into their worlds.
Rashad’s experience as a Black teenager who becomes a victim of police brutality is told with so much honesty and vulnerability, while Quinn’s perspective shows what it looks like to be forced to reckon with your own privilege and complicity. The way the authors explore race, morality, and fairness is layered and thoughtful. It’s not preachy or overly simplifie, it gives space for you to think, reflect, and sit with the uncomfortable truths.
What I really appreciated is that it didn’t wrap things up in a neat little bow. It leaned into the complexity of real life and how messy it can be when you’re trying to figure out what the right thing is, especially when you’re raised to think a certain way. This audiobook does exactly what powerful storytelling is supposed to do, it challenges you, makes you feel, and leaves you different than you were before you started it.
If you’re looking for something that’s honest, emotional, and rooted in real conversations we should all be having, this is 100% worth your time
Rashad’s experience as a Black teenager who becomes a victim of police brutality is told with so much honesty and vulnerability, while Quinn’s perspective shows what it looks like to be forced to reckon with your own privilege and complicity. The way the authors explore race, morality, and fairness is layered and thoughtful. It’s not preachy or overly simplifie, it gives space for you to think, reflect, and sit with the uncomfortable truths.
What I really appreciated is that it didn’t wrap things up in a neat little bow. It leaned into the complexity of real life and how messy it can be when you’re trying to figure out what the right thing is, especially when you’re raised to think a certain way. This audiobook does exactly what powerful storytelling is supposed to do, it challenges you, makes you feel, and leaves you different than you were before you started it.
If you’re looking for something that’s honest, emotional, and rooted in real conversations we should all be having, this is 100% worth your time