According to Goodreads . . . Felix Love has never been in love—and, yes, he’s painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it’s like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. What’s worse is that, even though he is proud of his identity, Felix also secretly fears that he’s one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender—to ever get his own happily-ever-after. When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix’s deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. What he didn’t count on: his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi–love triangle.... But as he navigates his complicated feelings, Felix begins a journey of questioning and self-discovery that helps redefine his most important relationship: how he feels about himself. Felix Ever After is an honest and layered story about identity, falling in love, and recognizing the love you d...
From Renee Dastyck
ReplyDeletePunching the Air is a young adult novel written by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam. I like how the story is told through the eyes of Amal Shahid, a talented young Black artist who finds himself wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. It was written using lyrical prose and poetic elements.
Amal a high school student who wants to become an artist. However, his dreams are shattered when he is wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime. The text follows Amal's experiences in prison, detailing his emotional turmoil and his struggle to maintain his identity and hope amidst despair.
Throughout his time in incarceration, Amal finds peace in art and poetry, using these forms of expression to navigate his pain and isolation. The story is showing the impact of systemic racism.
This book is not only an engaging read for young adults but also an important commentary on race, identity, and the human spirit. Its lyrical style and heartfelt themes make it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of contemporary social issues.
Punching the Air is an impactful story co-authored by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam. The story follows Amal Shahid, a Black Muslim teenager wrongfully incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. The narrative, rooted in themes of systemic racism, injustice, and resilience, is a personal yet collective exploration of identity, art, and the struggle for justice. Amal’s journey is framed by his experiences in the juvenile justice system, where he grapples with isolation and despair. Through powerful novel-in-verse conveys his internal battles and the external forces that impose upon and define him. Art and poetry serve as both an escape and a means of self-expression, reflecting his emotional turmoil. The novel is inherently authentic as Salaam’s own experiences as a wrongfully convicted teenager are shared with the reader. This personal connection deepens the story's impact, inviting readers to engage with the urgent realities of systemic injustice. The balance of hope and despair comes together in a message of resilience and the metamorphic power of creativity. Punching the Air is a must-read that resonates with readers of all ages. This novel is a call to action, pushing readers to reflect on their roles in challenging systemic injustices and highlighting the importance of empathy. This relevance makes it particularly valuable for educators, as it opens avenues for discussions about social justice and the significance of art as resistance.
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