59 pages • 1 hour read
Punching the Air
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Book Brief
400
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
2020
YA
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
In Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam, 16-year-old African American Amal Shahid, who enjoys painting and rapping, faces wrongful incarceration after a fight with white boys leads to a white kid named Jeremy Mathis being hospitalized. Amal navigates prison life, reflecting on the biases in the school and justice systems while finding solace in art and poetry, as he awaits Jeremy's crucial statement. The book contains discussions of racial injustice and the prison system.
Emotional
Challenging
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
24,569 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam has been praised for its powerful and poignant storytelling, capturing the realities of systemic racism and wrongful incarceration. Reviewers commend its emotional depth and impactful verse format. Some critique the pacing as uneven and the transitions between narratives as occasionally jarring. Overall, it’s highly recommended for its compelling, socially relevant themes.
Who Should Read Punching the Air?
Readers who would enjoy Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam are likely fans of thought-provoking, socially conscious young adult fiction. This book appeals to those who appreciated The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, as it explores themes of racial injustice and resilience through a powerful, poetic narrative.
24,569 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Umi
Umi
Amal's loving and supportive mother, who encourages his artistic passions and remains steadfast in her belief in his innocence.
Ms. Rinaldi
Ms. Rinaldi
Amal's high school art teacher who provides a character testimony during his trial and struggles to see beyond her biases, affecting her perception of Amal's frustrations.
Imani Dawson
Imani Dawson
A poetry teacher in prison who helps Amal and other young men express themselves, playing a significant role in Amal's personal growth and self-reflection during his incarceration.
400
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
2020
YA
14-18 years
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