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Punching The Air, 9780008422141 Paperback – 1 Sept. 2020
Purchase options and add-ons
- Reading age12 years and up
- Print length400 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions12.9 x 3 x 19.8 cm
- PublisherWordUnited
- Publication date1 Sept. 2020
- ISBN-100008422141
- ISBN-13978-0008422141
Frequently bought together
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From the Publisher
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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
"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
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
About the Author
Ibi Zoboi was born in Haiti, and holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her writing has been published in The New York Times Book Review, and The Rumpus, among others. She is the author of American Street, a US National Book Award finalist. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and three children. You can find her online at www.ibizoboi.net.
Dr. Yusef Salaam was just fifteen when he was wrongly convicted in the “Central Park jogger” case, along with four other boys. In 2002, after years behind bars, they were fully exonerated. Their story has been documented in award-winning film The Central Park Five and acclaimed Netflix series When They See Us. Yusef is now a poet, activist and inspirational speaker who lives in Atlanta, GA. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama. www.yusefspeaks.com
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
- Best Sellers Rank: 42,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer reviews:
About the author
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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
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers 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
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
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
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
Reviews with images
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Moving and profound story
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 April 2021Wow, 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 2020I 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.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2020The media could not be loaded.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 March 2021Amazing 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 2020This 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.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 October 2020Absolutely brilliant read! Love the format & POV. I felt quite emotionally reading some parts & highly recommend all black boys to read this.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2022This 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.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 April 2021Amazing 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
- LuisDMenesesReviewed in Mexico on 11 December 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Two voices against injustice
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
- RandaReviewed in Canada on 22 February 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars If books had souls, this book has a beautiful one
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
- ThebookbellaReviewed in the United States on 11 September 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars A power narrative about Instutionalized racism and rising above it.
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.
ThebookbellaA power narrative about Instutionalized racism and rising above it.
Reviewed in the United States on 11 September 2020
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
- AJITHReviewed in India on 28 January 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Wonderful book
- BooknerdReviewed in Australia on 22 November 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful narrative
Important messages.