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A review by chidimmadesiree
This Is My America by Kim Johnson
4.0
4/5 stars
“This is My America” by Kim Johnson is a young adult contemporary that centers around a teenage girl, Tracy, who’s dad has been on death row for seven years. Tracy’s father is innocent and each week she writes letter to the Innocence X organization hoping that they respond and take on his case. Time is running out though and Tracy is getting more and more restless. Things take a turn for the worst when Tracy’s brother, Jamal, is accused of murdering a white girl, Angela. Tracy doesn’t known what to do as she is now fighting for justice for her father and brother.
This was such an emotional read for me. I felt so much for the main character, Ashley. The way she kept on fighting for her father and then for her brother was very commendable. I really loved reading from her perspective throughout this book because I could feel how much proving her family’s innocence meant to her. I just wanted her to finally get her family the justice they deserved.
The representation in this book was stunning. I related to so many parts of this book especially when our main character was explaining how black people are seen as guilty until proven innocent, how the news portrays a suspect when they’re black, and how black people have to protect themselves all the time especially when dealing with the police. Kim Johnson weaves in so many important issues in this young adult contemporary. This book sparked conversation on things that need to be talked about.
-This book was sent to me through netgalley for review-
“This is My America” by Kim Johnson is a young adult contemporary that centers around a teenage girl, Tracy, who’s dad has been on death row for seven years. Tracy’s father is innocent and each week she writes letter to the Innocence X organization hoping that they respond and take on his case. Time is running out though and Tracy is getting more and more restless. Things take a turn for the worst when Tracy’s brother, Jamal, is accused of murdering a white girl, Angela. Tracy doesn’t known what to do as she is now fighting for justice for her father and brother.
This was such an emotional read for me. I felt so much for the main character, Ashley. The way she kept on fighting for her father and then for her brother was very commendable. I really loved reading from her perspective throughout this book because I could feel how much proving her family’s innocence meant to her. I just wanted her to finally get her family the justice they deserved.
The representation in this book was stunning. I related to so many parts of this book especially when our main character was explaining how black people are seen as guilty until proven innocent, how the news portrays a suspect when they’re black, and how black people have to protect themselves all the time especially when dealing with the police. Kim Johnson weaves in so many important issues in this young adult contemporary. This book sparked conversation on things that need to be talked about.
-This book was sent to me through netgalley for review-