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rissa_may_read's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
kaveeta's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
thepetitepunk's review
5.0
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
A black boy falsely accused of a crime committed against a white peer. We've heard this story many times on the news and yet I doubt not even that coverage could fully represent how many times black boys have been thrown in prisons and forgotten, even if they haven't done anything wrong--or, even if they have done something wrong, perhaps they were punished for something a white person most likely would walk away from free.
This relatively quick read, written in verse format, is the epitome of "less is more": few words, yet every single word is loud, each holding the value of a thousand more words. Amal, who loves poetry and hip-hop, hence the novel being written in verse, will make your heart ache. He's angry and short-tempered, seeming to always get himself into difficult situations, but Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam so excellently delve into the systemic disadvantages that have led to Amal's incarceration. Because let's be real here: plenty of teenage boys get angry and find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time, but why is it that some get away with it, and others don't--or, worse, get blamed for the repercussions of someone else's anger? I think by now, especially with all highly-discussed current events, it's not hard to point out a few patterns.
I appreciated the combination of authors here, especially with Yusef Salaam, who first-hand experienced criminal injustice during the Central Park Five case. I also absolutely loved Ethan Herrise as the audiobook narrator. I thought he was engaging and realistic, and it truly felt like I was listening to Amal.
Overall, Punching the Air exceeded my expectations in every way possible and it is, hands down, a must-read. This is one of the very few books I've read that quite literally gave me chills. And may I add, I put the physical book on hold at the library as soon as I finished the audiobook since I was so moved by it that I wanted to experience the story again, but in its original format? I'm sending my greatest thanks to anyone involved creating this book and getting it in the hands of others.
A black boy falsely accused of a crime committed against a white peer. We've heard this story many times on the news and yet I doubt not even that coverage could fully represent how many times black boys have been thrown in prisons and forgotten, even if they haven't done anything wrong--or, even if they have done something wrong, perhaps they were punished for something a white person most likely would walk away from free.
This relatively quick read, written in verse format, is the epitome of "less is more": few words, yet every single word is loud, each holding the value of a thousand more words. Amal, who loves poetry and hip-hop, hence the novel being written in verse, will make your heart ache. He's angry and short-tempered, seeming to always get himself into difficult situations, but Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam so excellently delve into the systemic disadvantages that have led to Amal's incarceration. Because let's be real here: plenty of teenage boys get angry and find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time, but why is it that some get away with it, and others don't--or, worse, get blamed for the repercussions of someone else's anger? I think by now, especially with all highly-discussed current events, it's not hard to point out a few patterns.
I appreciated the combination of authors here, especially with Yusef Salaam, who first-hand experienced criminal injustice during the Central Park Five case. I also absolutely loved Ethan Herrise as the audiobook narrator. I thought he was engaging and realistic, and it truly felt like I was listening to Amal.
Overall, Punching the Air exceeded my expectations in every way possible and it is, hands down, a must-read. This is one of the very few books I've read that quite literally gave me chills. And may I add, I put the physical book on hold at the library as soon as I finished the audiobook since I was so moved by it that I wanted to experience the story again, but in its original format? I'm sending my greatest thanks to anyone involved creating this book and getting it in the hands of others.
slflorence99's review
5.0
While Challenger Deep took me deep in to the mind of a teen struggling with reality, Punching the Air took me deep into the mind of a teen dealing with reality: the reality of a still unequal society, lacking true justice. Beautiful, heart wrenching prose and imagery captured me from page 1.
lindyloureads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.25
thatothernigeriangirl's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Upsetting based-on-real-life youth detention and wrongful conviction story in verse.
I had heard of the Central Park Five, and knowing one of the co-authors was part of this group made me look into it more. The story here is an account based on this real case of wrongfully incarcerated young people, birthing a whole life, education and character of one boy accused and sent to prison after a violent incident.
Amal tells us gradually about what happened. About his family, his school, his dreams, and about his court case and experiences inside youth prison.
We see the truth behind what outsiders might think they see - how misconceptions, stereotypes and quickness to judge, as well as outright racism, can bring about unfair treatment and even miscarriages of justice.
The verse structure worked for the audiobook format, chapters were short and moved quickly from topic to topic. It covered a lot of ground and gave insight directly into each of Amal's experiences. Some felt quite graphic as he finds himself treated badly both inside and outside of custody.
This was a quick read, one that gave a lot to worry and think about, and would be very useful for secondary schools looking at related topics and news items.
For ages 13+.
I had heard of the Central Park Five, and knowing one of the co-authors was part of this group made me look into it more. The story here is an account based on this real case of wrongfully incarcerated young people, birthing a whole life, education and character of one boy accused and sent to prison after a violent incident.
Amal tells us gradually about what happened. About his family, his school, his dreams, and about his court case and experiences inside youth prison.
We see the truth behind what outsiders might think they see - how misconceptions, stereotypes and quickness to judge, as well as outright racism, can bring about unfair treatment and even miscarriages of justice.
The verse structure worked for the audiobook format, chapters were short and moved quickly from topic to topic. It covered a lot of ground and gave insight directly into each of Amal's experiences. Some felt quite graphic as he finds himself treated badly both inside and outside of custody.
This was a quick read, one that gave a lot to worry and think about, and would be very useful for secondary schools looking at related topics and news items.
For ages 13+.
groesver's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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? Yes
3.5
janagaton's review
4.0
Though I probably would've enjoyed this book more had I read it physically rather than audibly, that does not deter from the creatively powerful and beautiful writing. In addition to the book being told in verse, I especially loved that our main character loves art & reading, and that those things help him get through his time in jail. This is yet another important story highlighting injustices and oppression towards Black people, even those of young ages, that needs to be told and internalized.