Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi | YA AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
– This post contains affiliate links. That means I receive a small commission to no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links –
The story that I thought
was my life
didn’t start on the day
I was born
Amal Shahid has always been an artist and a poet. But even in a diverse art school, he’s seen as disruptive and unmotivated by a biased system. Then one fateful night, an altercation in a gentrifying neighborhood escalates into tragedy. “Boys just being boys” turns out to be true only when those boys are white.
The story that I think
will be my life
starts today
Suddenly, at just sixteen years old, Amal’s bright future is upended: he is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and sent to prison. Despair and rage almost sink him until he turns to the refuge of his words, his art. This never should have been his story. But can he change it?
With spellbinding lyricism, award-winning author Ibi Zoboi and prison reform activist Yusef Salaam tell a moving and deeply profound story about how one boy is able to maintain his humanity and fight for the truth, in a system designed to strip him of both.
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi | YA AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
MY THOUGHTS
Another book that breaks my heart!!
I read so many YA books last year that were powerful and heartbreaking at the same time. Punching the Air is another one that fits the category. I think it’s prewritten, that with a premise like the one in Punching the Air, heartbreak is preprogrammed. There is just no way around it.
The book is also another YA book that is written in free verse and blew my mind. Long Way Down, Clap When You Land and The Truth Project are some of the books that made me fall in love with this genre. The books are not just a joy to listen to, they are pleasing to the eye too. There is so much heart in these books, besides an amazing story. The format alone is ART, and another reason to pick up this genre.
Locking you up isn’t enough
for them They will try
to crush your spirit until
you’re nothing but—
Dust
we both say togetherAnd what does dust do, Amal?
What did Maya Angelou say about dust?
Umi asksIt rises, I whisper
Punching the Air is a story the feels too real at times. Too much like it happens all the time. The heartbreak and hopelessness was palpable.
It’s an important book to read, even more though since the story is based on the Central Park jogger case in 1989, when ‘Five black and Latino youths were falsely convicted of assaulting the woman, and served sentences ranging from six to twelve years. All were later exonerated after a prison inmate confessed to the crime in 2002.’ (wiki)
I’m very happy that I was finally able to check this book off my must read book list. One done, only so many more to go.
FOUR STARS
FIND IT ON GOODREADS || GET THE BOOK
If you found my review useful please use the link above to support my work – thanks!
All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi | YA AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
I hadn’t heard of this book before. It sounds like an emotionally powerful read. I love it when a book hits me that way.
Emotional and powerful! It’s hard to describe the feelings I had when listening to the book. It hits you where it counts.
I have not heard of this book either, but it sounds like one that I would very much like to read. It sounds emotional and heartbreaking, but one that has a powerful message. Great review Corina.
Thank you!!! I have been just blown away by some of the YA books I’ve read recently. They are all so powerful!