Yusef Salaam

It was a very powerful written piece. I understand his frustrations of being passionate about art but only white artist are being showcased in class. Although, I could never compare my situation to his. The "therapist" character ugh, I think I mentally blocked out her name was so frustrating. There's no way she couldn't tell her patient was slipping into depression and yet she refused to let him go to poetry/art classes until he went to the general ed ones because those were a privilege? Literally what. It is also so cool that Yusef is a prison reform activist. It gives more meaning to the book.… (more)

Amal Shahid is an aspiring artist and poet. Umi, his mother, is a fierce woman who is Amal’s strength during his trials. He is wrongfully convicted and expresses his experiences with the inequities of the judicial system. Anal documents the discrepancy between himself and his white counterpart.

Punching the Air is the story of a benevolent boy who fights for the truth through a system designed to suppress it. Because of Yusef Salaam’s similar experience with the judicial system; these poems are blunt, innovative, and powerful. Ethan and Ibi do an excellent job articulating the severity of the situation and depth of emotions. Punching the Air is a captivating young adult read that is reflective of current times.… (more)