The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
paigereitz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, and Hate crime
Moderate: Death, Murder, Violence, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood and Domestic abuse
nytephoenyx's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This must have been such a challenging book for Johnson to write. Thereâs so much pain in it. Tracy is persistent, always has hope, but her story is a scenario filled with some good luck, people with a conscience, and the right people in the right places. Through This is My America, I kept thinking about how if even just one of these pieces slid out of place, things would have gone much differently.
I suppose I should mention the foundation fundamentals of the book. This is My America creates a sympathetic cast of characters. Johnsonâs writing keeps just on the soft side of horrific, but isnât sympathetic to white characters or white readers who may relate to them in any small way. And thatâs good â itâs good that we donât forgive those things because that kind of forgiveness is another way we are perpetuating problematic, racist, and unjust behaviors and systems. Like The Hate U Give, This is My America made me dig into myself and check my own biases. Itâs a constant state of learning â reeducation is a lifelong job. Iâm grateful for the moments this book made me step back.
The story moves quickly and keeps you engaged with consistent twists and discoveries. I also really liked that not only was there a romance, but it was a love triangle and it did not interfere with the actual story and only developed in the between-moments. I donât feel one way or another about the love story itself, but I did appreciate the good balance of story and subplot. There were a lot of individuals in this story who needed justice and it was a tough set to juggle. I think Johnson did a great job, I really do.
This is My America reminds me of another book I read⌠I believe it was Dear Justyce I clearly remember the addendum at the end of the book â this story only has a happy ending because all the right things were in place and folks had the support they needed but usually, thatâs not true. The same applies to This is My America. If Beverly wasnât a cop, if Tracy hadnât spoken to Angela, if she hadnât written all those letters. Thereâs always a âwhat if,â and it hurts. Because in some stories, the âwhat ifâs just mean a relationship wouldnât happen. In This is My America, the âwhat ifâs are the difference between life and death, and thatâs the case in real life. All the time. I hate that we need books like his still to remind us of that.
I highly recommend reading This is My America. Itâs a social justice book, and it is a book about Black pain. We need to bear witness. Itâs well-written and tells an important story. Iâd read it again, even though it would hurt just as much as it did the first time.
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Police brutality
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse
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