greatexpectations77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Death, and Confinement
Moderate: Classism, Gun violence, Murder, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Violence
mattyb's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence, Racism, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Sexual assault
sup3r_xn0va_maya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I see why this book won the awards that it did when it came out in the year 1999 and then in 2000, some of the imagery was really powerful and the book format was unique, especially for the times.
Spoiler
I wish the reader actually got to find out if the main character was really involved in the robbery or not. Either way, I don't think he should be on trial for murder if he were the "look out", he didn't pull the trigger and he wasn't in the store when the store owner died (according to his and everyone else's testimony.)Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Gun violence, Confinement, Murder, Racism, and Violence
sunflowery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Racism
anniefwrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Spoiler
I especially loved how, despite having an objectively "happy" ending, it shows the nuance in Steve's situation--just being accused of this crime has changed his life for the worse, in his family, his psyche. I love how he turns to an art form to process his complex emotions about the trial and his time in jail; it's a real testament to the impact that creating can have on us, even in our darkest moments. You don't have to know if Steve was guilty or not; this book was ahead of it's time in the way it shows how inhumane prison is, regardless of crimes committed.Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Sexual violence, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
draconia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Racism and Murder
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
wellintendedbibliophile's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Racism, Gun violence, and Sexual violence
savannahtrice's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Racism and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Drug use
The style is very new to me and I enjoyed it! Again, I wish we learned more of Steve's feelings without the lens of his film.tigerkind's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racism and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Murder, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Gun violence, and Suicidal thoughts
remy_licked_my_book's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
-a very relatable topic to the world today and really sheds light on how the world has historically and still continues to try to put away a young black offender or alleged offender simply for being black. That prejudice is a poison on our system.
-there was raw emotion in this book. I could feel Steve's fear every time he went back to the cell.
-Once I got used to the format, I liked that it flipped between first person in his journalling to second person in the movie script, it added that extra layer of distancing himself from the trial.
Things I Wasn't Crazy About:
-The relationship with his dad felt complicated in a way that I wish would have been investigated more thoroughly.
-Actually I wish there would have been more depth to almost all of the relationships with everyone in his family. There was one or two stories about his brother but I wanted to know more about their bond.
I think this is a good book to open discussions in classrooms around race and the law, however as an adult I have read better non fiction accounts with similar storyline.
Graphic: Body horror and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts