59 pages 1 hour read

Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam

Punching the Air

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | YA | Published in 2020

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

14-18years

Book Details

Genre
Realistic Fiction
Drama / Tragedy
American Literature
Topics
Incarceration
Black Lives Matter
Diversity
Themes
Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride
Identity: Race
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies