55 pages • 1 hour read
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich
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Book Brief
256
Novel • Fiction
Harlem, New York • 1980s
2019
Middle grade
10-14 years
830L
Super Short Summary
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich, published in 2019 by Ibi Zoboi, follows 12-year-old Ebony-Grace, an imaginative Black girl from Alabama, who loves outer space and superheroes. She spends a summer with her dad in Harlem, struggling to fit in and grappling with her vibrant imagination in a new environment. The story explores her journey toward finding self-expression and identity. The book features racism, refers to drug addiction, and arguably alludes to sexual misconduct.
Nostalgic
Emotional
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Humorous
Reviews & Readership
2,146 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi is praised for its vivid portrayal of Harlem in the 1980s and its nuanced exploration of a young girl's imagination and struggle with identity. The protagonist's sci-fi escapism is both creative and relatable. However, some reviewers found pacing issues and wished for deeper character development. Overall, it's a unique and engaging middle-grade read.
Who Should Read My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich?
Readers who would enjoy My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi are likely fans of contemplative young adult novels that blend historical and personal growth themes. Comparable to Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson and The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis, this book appeals to those who appreciate rich, reflective narratives on identity and heritage.
2,146 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
256
Novel • Fiction
Harlem, New York • 1980s
2019
Middle grade
10-14 years
830L
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