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Punching The Air, 9780008422141 Paperback – 1 Sept. 2020

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,148 ratings
Teachers' pick for school years 1–9

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From the Publisher

ava duvernay when they see us

My name is Amal, and Amal means hope

Dr. Yusef Salaam was just fifteen years old when his life was upended after being wrongly convicted with four other boys in the “Central Park jogger” case. In 2002, after the young men spent years of their lives behind bars, their sentences were overturned. Now known as the Exonerated Five, their story has been documented in Ava DuVernay’s highly acclaimed series When They See Us.

In partnership with award-winning author of American Street and Black Enough, Ibi Zoboi, Punching the Air draws on Yusef's experiences to tell the heartrending story of Amal, a sixteen-year-old art student and poet whose life is completely upended after one fateful night...

Praise for Punching the Air

  • "A powerful novel-in-verse...required reading for all ages" - Oprah Magazine
  • "As generous as it is cutting. Poignant and full of fire." - Steven Camden, author of Nobody Real
  • "A powerful indictment of institutional racism and mass incarceration" - Publishers Weekly

punching the air

ibi zoboi

yusef salaam

"We knew that young people needed to hear this story."

It’s our hope that all readers will experience the journey of a boy who finds himself in a heated moment where one wrong move threatens his future. But this is not just a story about a crime or race. Punching the Air is about the power of art, faith, and transcendence in the most debilitating circumstances.

We hope to show the full humanity of Black children through Amal—his joy, fears, mistakes, regrets, love, sorrow, and most importantly, his hope.

- Ibi Zoboi and Dr Yusef Salaam

jacqueline woodson

ibram x kendi

jason reynolds

Product description

Review

‘Zoboi and Salaam have created nothing short of a masterwork of humanity, with lyrical arms big enough to cradle the oppressed, and metaphoric teeth sharp enough to chomp on the bitter bones of racism. This is more than a story. This is a necessary exploration of anger, and a radical reflection of love, which ultimately makes for an honest depiction of what it means to be young and Black in America.’ – Jason Reynolds, award-winning, bestselling author of Long Way Down

‘Punching the Air is the profound sound of humanity in verse. About a boy who uses his creative mind to overcome the creativity of racism. About a boy who uses the freedom of art to overcome his incarceration. About you. About me. Utterly indispensable.’ – Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Stamped and How to Be an Antiracist

‘In this beautifully rendered book, we are reminded again of how brilliant and precarious our Black Lives are and how art can ultimately heal us.’ – Jacqueline Woodson, award-winning, bestselling author of Brown Girl Dreaming

Praise for BLACK ENOUGH, edited by Ibi Zoboi

‘A powerful collection that opens the reader’s eyes to the breadth and diversity of contemporary experience in America’ – June Sarpong, author of Diversify

‘A breath of fresh air . . . nuanced and necessary.’ – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

‘The stories, all worth savoring, share a celebratory outlook on black teenagers fully and courageously embracing life.’ – Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Praise for AMERICAN STREET by Ibi Zoboi

‘Self-assured, elegant and utterly captivating.’ – The New York Times

‘Fierce and beautiful.’ – Booklist (starred review)

From the Back Cover

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2022 YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL From award-winning, bestselling author Ibi Zoboi and prison reform activist Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five comes a powerful YA novel in verse about a boy who is wrongfully incarcerated. Perfect for fans of the Noughts & Crosses series and The Hate U Give.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ WordUnited; 1st edition (1 Sept. 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0008422141
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008422141
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.9 x 3 x 19.8 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,148 ratings

About the author

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Ibi Zoboi
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Ibi Zoboi is the New York Times Bestselling author of American Street, a National Book Award finalist, Pride, a contemporary remix of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and a middle-grade debut, My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich. She is the editor of Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America. She co-authored the Walter Award and L.A. Times Book Prize-winning novel-in-verse, Punching the Air, with Exonerated Five member, Yusef Salaam. Her debut picture book, The People Remember, received a Coretta Scott King Honor Award. Her most recent books include Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler, and Okoye to the People: A Black Panther Novel for Marvel. Ibi lives in New Jersey with her husband, a high school art teacher, and their three teenage children. Visit Ibi at www.ibizoboi.net.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
2,148 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the poetry and emotional content, allowing them to immerse themselves in Amal's journey.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

11 customers mention ‘Readability’11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and powerful. They describe it as a must-read, moving, and important. The format and perspective are also appreciated.

"...This is a heartbreaking, moving, beautiful book & I recommend everyone to read it!!!..." Read more

"...This book is beautiful, relevant and poignant." Read more

"Amazing book. I could have very easily read it in a day as the pages kept turning therefore I had to make myself pace the reading...." Read more

"Absolutely brilliant read! Love the format & POV. I felt quite emotionally reading some parts & highly recommend all black boys to read this." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Writing style’4 positive0 negative

Customers like the writing style. They say it's beautifully written, and they love the poetry throughout the story. It's a very good read.

"...I loved all the poetry throughout this story! Some words have definitely stuck with me!..." Read more

"Amazing book, absolutely love the way it’s written and the message in the story. So powerful and a must read." Read more

"I looked the way it was written with passion and reality" Read more

"It's a very good read..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Emotional content’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book moving and emotional. They say it immerses them in Amal's emotions and journey. The format and POV allow readers to feel Amal's emotions.

"...is something that needs to be spoken more about, it is moving, heartbreaking and incredibly important!..." Read more

"...aloud, for no reason in particular but it allowed me to submerse myself in Amal's emotions and really feel his journey through the story...." Read more

"Absolutely brilliant read! Love the format & POV. I felt quite emotionally reading some parts & highly recommend all black boys to read this." Read more

Moving and profound story
4 out of 5 stars
Moving and profound story
Inspired by real events, this novel in verses is a moving story about a boy who tries to maintain his humanity while the system tries to charge him for a crime he didn’t commit.“I’m sure you all knowThe rule of law -Innocent until proven guiltyBut with us, it’sGuilty until proven innocent.”I have to be honest I wasn’t 100% sure about picking up this book because of the format used, but I’m so glad I did and I can guarantee that probably it’s the writing style itself as well to make it so powerful and profound. The story and the message get through in a direct manner.When it comes these kind of stories I always struggle to write a review, cause often I feel so upset about the injustice that certain communities have to endure and I wish that one day we can really break this circle cause I honestly can’t think how in 2021 there is still so much discrimination.If you decide to read this book, I highly suggest you follow up watching the Netflix series When they see us.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 April 2021
    Wow, what a book!! This is the first book that I have read in verse, and oh my!!!! I loved all the poetry throughout this story! Some words have definitely stuck with me!
    The main topic of this book is something that needs to be spoken more about, it is moving, heartbreaking and incredibly important! I genuinely needed to stop myself reading and take a few moments as I was so incredibly moved by them 😭
    It is just so beautifully written!!

    This book is actually based around the true events of One of the authors of this book - 'Yusef Salaam'. He was only 15 years old when he was falsely imprisoned & lost 10 years of his life. So you know reading this that there is so much truth behind the words.

    This book is about a boy who tries to maintain his humanity & also fight for the truth, which you seem that the system is built to strip him of both. This book also covers a failing US system that's drastically needs to change!!

    This is a heartbreaking, moving, beautiful book & I recommend everyone to read it!!!
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2020
    I read this whole story aloud, for no reason in particular but it allowed me to submerse myself in Amal's emotions and really feel his journey through the story.

    I wish there was a version of this book that contained no swearing so I could share it with my Year 6 students and help them understand the circumstances that lead some young black men into prison. Coming from a predominantly white area of the UK, I think this story would serve a huge purpose and have a massive impact on them.

    This book is beautiful, relevant and poignant.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2020
    The media could not be loaded.
    I listened to an interview with the author on CNN and that's why I decided to buy it.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 March 2021
    Amazing book. I could have very easily read it in a day as the pages kept turning therefore I had to make myself pace the reading.
    The subject matter is abhorrent but the story is necessary to be told, read and learned from.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 October 2020
    This book is a celebration for its authors and should create a sharp stab of pain and embarrassment in every white heart that believes racism does not exist or denies its pervasiveness in every aspect of our society.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 October 2020
    Absolutely brilliant read! Love the format & POV. I felt quite emotionally reading some parts & highly recommend all black boys to read this.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2022
    This book tells the story of Amal, a 16 year old who is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. Amal is black. He is Muslim. He is 16 years old yet described as “a man” when his 16 yr old white “victim” is described as “a boy”. Amal has a bright future that is stripped away.
    The book is written in Amal’s voice, and also in verse, yet it doesn’t read awkwardly. There are times when the language has obviously been chosen to fit the flow, but the language/imagery/phrasing just works. I listened to the audiobook and was captivated in a way that I was not expecting.
    The book is honest, brutal and powerful as it addresses racism, discrimination, the danger of making assumptions and the US justice system. The book is defined as Young Adult, and it certainly will speak to this age group well.

    The notes at the end tell the reader that this book is fiction, yet it is rooted in real experience of one of the authors, Yusef Salaam, who was wrongfully imprisoned as a teen.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 April 2021
    Amazing book, absolutely love the way it’s written and the message in the story. So powerful and a must read.

Top reviews from other countries

  • LuisDMeneses
    5.0 out of 5 stars Two voices against injustice
    Reviewed in Mexico on 11 December 2023
    This is the most amazing young readers novel I've come across.
    The rithm of its poetry and the truthfulness of its words is remarkable.
    I love every detail, and I would just add a couple more illustrations to the edition
  • Randa
    5.0 out of 5 stars If books had souls, this book has a beautiful one
    Reviewed in Canada on 22 February 2021
    I rarely write reviews online or even buy books! But this book was simply amazing and I felt the need to share my enthusiasm and emphatic support! I resonanted with its simplicity. It was so full of light and darkness and loss and faith and triumph and hope. It helped me grieve and then heal. This book is certainly a feat and it's a reminder to young people of color of the greatness and potential that lies within them. A reminder that despite the twisted ways our social system - they have a fire inside them that cannot be ignited. That we must take the gifts God has blessed us with to educate, advocate, and fight against injustice. That our gifts are appreciated and have the potential to change so many lives. This book was nothing short of life-changing for me. It has soul, to say the least. You certainly won't regret supporting these authors and delving into the beautiful work they've created
  • Thebookbella
    5.0 out of 5 stars A power narrative about Instutionalized racism and rising above it.
    Reviewed in the United States on 11 September 2020
    This is a YA story about Amal Shahid, who is a black Muslim accused of beating his white classmate into a coma. He stands trial and is convicted by everyone, and sentenced to juvie.

    Amal is an artist, he has aspirations to go to an art college and make a living out of making art. But when he is convicted, he feels all of that has slipped through his fingers.

    This book is extremely powerful and intense and I really loved it. It had a steady rhythm in both the points of systematic racism that this book touches upon, as well as the Amal's emotional narrative about his heritage. This touched upon many things that are currently being brought to light in the Black Lives Matter movement and this is extremely relevant to our time.

    I do love this but being that this is a book told completely in verse I think its powerful narrative could have been amplified further if I had consumed it as an audio book rather than in physical book form. As much as I love this book, it is definitely meant to be heard and not seen. These verses follow that of spoken word poetry and I might consume it again in the future through my ears rather than through my eyes.
    Customer image
    Thebookbella
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A power narrative about Instutionalized racism and rising above it.

    Reviewed in the United States on 11 September 2020
    This is a YA story about Amal Shahid, who is a black Muslim accused of beating his white classmate into a coma. He stands trial and is convicted by everyone, and sentenced to juvie.

    Amal is an artist, he has aspirations to go to an art college and make a living out of making art. But when he is convicted, he feels all of that has slipped through his fingers.

    This book is extremely powerful and intense and I really loved it. It had a steady rhythm in both the points of systematic racism that this book touches upon, as well as the Amal's emotional narrative about his heritage. This touched upon many things that are currently being brought to light in the Black Lives Matter movement and this is extremely relevant to our time.

    I do love this but being that this is a book told completely in verse I think its powerful narrative could have been amplified further if I had consumed it as an audio book rather than in physical book form. As much as I love this book, it is definitely meant to be heard and not seen. These verses follow that of spoken word poetry and I might consume it again in the future through my ears rather than through my eyes.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
  • AJITH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in India on 28 January 2021
    Wonderful book
  • Booknerd
    5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful narrative
    Reviewed in Australia on 22 November 2024
    Important messages.