Scan barcode
camiereads's review
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition
4.5
Heartbreaking and beautifully written. The narrator didn’t seem like the best fit for the book, but I still enjoyed and was touched by the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality
reading_diaries's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
5.0
This book was incredibly moving. It made me reflect and question my privilege as a white person. I feel so much empathy and sorrow for young black people who experience this awful cycle of unjust violence.
The way this story is told through poetry and art is amazing. The audiobook is amazing to listen to and really paints a vivid image of Amal’s struggles in the detention centre. The way this story is told in verse is incredibly beautiful and again, listening to the audiobook made it that more impactful to hear.
Overall, an incredibly impactful and moving story.
The way this story is told through poetry and art is amazing. The audiobook is amazing to listen to and really paints a vivid image of Amal’s struggles in the detention centre. The way this story is told in verse is incredibly beautiful and again, listening to the audiobook made it that more impactful to hear.
Overall, an incredibly impactful and moving story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Islamophobia and Blood
a_alves00's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
effect3cause's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence
cranedphoenix'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, Violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Confinement and Classism
rosie722's review
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
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: Racism and Racial slurs
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: Racism, Violence, Confinement, and Racial slurs
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