Starr Carter is a sixteen-year-old girl who lives in the neighborhood of Garden Heights in what seems to be the state of Mississippi. She and her friends decide to go out one night, and that’s where she runs into her old childhood best friend, whose name is Khalil Harris. While at that party, some things happen with two other gangs, and a fight breaks out, so Khalil offers to take Starr home and away from potential danger. While on the road, they get pulled over by two police officers, and things end up taking a turn for the worse. Starr witnesses the death of Khalil at the hands of two white officers. As Starr tries to manage the aftermath of the trauma she’s endured by witnessing that, she finds herself torn between the two worlds she knows: her mostly Black neighborhood and her predominantly white high school. This story takes a dive into Starr’s journey and watches her decide whether she wants to speak out about the injustice she and Khalil faced in the eyes of the law and risk her safety or remain silent and let police brutality continue while turning a blind eye.

Angie Thomas writes with an emotionally and powerfully authentic voice that is able to capture the essence of real-life experiences and bring them more to light through Starr, making her story more powerful. She uses terms (also known as slang) through vivid imagery to make the story more relatable to today's society. Her use of first-person perspective is also a tactic she used to make her readers feel more connected to Starr’s journey, emotions, and unwavering strong mind and resilience to overcome her trauma.

One of Starr’s many impactful quotes from the book that really captured my attention was, “What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” That, to me, stood out the most because not only does it capture Starr’s internal conflict, it also gives light to real-life situations going on where people stay silent and turn a blind eye, and it shows you the power one can have by using their voice to speak out about the injustice mainly Black people face in the eyes of the law. The goal I think this book serves is a reminder of the importance of your voice even when things can be very challenging and borderline dangerous. Angie Thomas uses this to challenge the readers to reflect on their own perspective and choices they have made, are making, and will continue to make to show them how life can be from another person’s eyes based on their skin color.

As a reader and as someone who watched the movie as well, I found The Hate U Give a raw, eye-opening, compelling story that provides the readers and viewers with a story that explores real-life issues with emotional depth and doesn’t hold back. It gives you insight into the real-life brutality and injustice Black people have been facing and continue to face in the eyes of the law. This story shows you how far one voice can go with determination to make a difference. The story has no problem with vivid and intense moments that really have your stomach in knots. Overall, I think this book's impact has been amazing for the Black community, especially as a Black woman with Black men in my family. I get scared for them in this world, and this book does an amazing job at showing you just how scary the world can be for a Black man.

The Hate U Give does an amazing job at staying on theme with the relevant current issues the Black community continues to face and how families lose someone daily because of racial inequality and police brutality. Angie Thomas made sure to make Starr’s story capture the true essence of real-life events that have sparked national movements such as the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor protests led by the Black Lives Matter movement to signify the unity of the Black community and highlight the systemic injustice Black men and women continue to face. This book continues to challenge readers and viewers to reflect and consider how their own choices can impact causes like this and how and when to speak up, especially about injustice within the law enforcement that is supposed to be there to serve and protect but instead kills and neglects.

I would rate The Hate U Give 5/5 stars because Angie Thomas did an amazing job at telling such a socially conscious and gut-wrenching story that is so gripping, making it a book that isn't afraid to explore and expose real issues in the world that can make some people uncomfortable because they aren't fully ready or fully aware to understand what's really going on and why it needs to end. This book serves as a way to educate people on how we all can come together and use our voices the right way to put an end to people dying and being locked up at the hands of the law based on their skin color. I personally think this story grasps the concept of realism and empowerment filled with hope to show the readers and viewers that change is possible, making it such a vital read and view for anyone of age ready to take action against injustice. It really does a good job at making me feel like I can help make a difference with just the smallest support. The smallest things go a long way.

The book titled Brother by David Chariandy is a work of fiction that tells the story of two brothers growing up in Scarborough, Canada. Their father, of Asian descent, and their mother, of African descent, are immigrants from Trinidad. Chariandy highlights the struggles and sacrifices parents face in hopes of a better life, as well as the transition from small island living to surviving in Canada. He focuses on the relationship between the brothers, Francis, the older of the two, and Michael, in a lower-class community riddled with racism, a strong police presence due to high criminal activity, and discrimination. In their attempts to find a place where they belong, Francis dreams of musical success while Michael struggles with his individuality and feelings toward a neighborhood girl. Chariandy delves into a world struck by tragedy and loss and shows how a community comes together to overcome grief.

Brother is written in the third person, told from the perspective of Michael in the present as well as past events. The tone is informal, helping the reader envision and relate to the specific language used by young adults from different backgrounds expressing their familiarity with each other. The writing style is descriptive, painting vivid pictures of their surroundings and sounds that can transport you into the experience or scene being described. Chariandy was successful at evoking emotions because he highlighted specific events about the characters that readers could refer to in order to comprehend and empathize with the heartbreaking outcomes.

I experienced many overwhelming emotions while reading Brother, such as sadness, disappointment, excitement, and anger. Chariandy’s graphic and meticulous descriptive writing style brought to life scenery, sounds, and experiences in an extraordinary way. An important lesson learned is that grief is expressed differently by each individual; while some people attempt to self-isolate emotionally, others find comfort and healing with community support.

The theme of the negative effects of an absent parent on children connects to the world around me, as often children from such households suffer from emotional challenges, poor self-concept, and other traumas, making it difficult to function in society. Chariandy addresses societal issues in the novel, such as discrimination due to outward appearances and social status. As a result of this discrimination, the characters were called derogatory names and faced challenges in gaining employment, promotion, and satisfactory housing.

I give the book Brother a 4.5 out of 5 rating. At times, I found it a bit difficult to follow the timelines while reading. In an attempt to keep the suspense, the author would go back and forth between past and present, and at times I was unsure of the timeline. On the other hand, I would recommend Brother as a must-read because of the exceptional story told of the bond between brothers. The consistent descriptive writing by the author allows readers to experience the events as they unfold. Chariandy portrays that, through sadness and pain, hope can be found in the most unexpected places. Additionally, he shows us that a community can be connected through music, food, and culture.

In Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming, the book traces her life back to her teenage years and focuses on her personal growth, aspirations, and consistency despite various challenges and hurdles. Michelle believes that one becomes oneself over time and that a person is always growing and changing. She describes how family love and dedication can support self-worth and success. She received tremendous support from her family, which helped her become more independent, and she learned a lot from her parents on the South Side of Chicago, where they lived.

The simplicity of the book and its focus make readers more interested and connected to the book and to Michelle's personality as the author. Her writing style is well-organized and composed, so readers can easily understand and extract crucial and valuable insights from the book.

One important quote that captures the essence of the book is, “Failure is a feeling long before it is an actual result” (Obama 66). This suggests that people often fail due to a negative mindset, concluding that a task cannot be successful even before attempting it. When Michelle told her high school counselor that she wanted to apply to Princeton University, the counselor told her she wasn't “Princeton material.” However, Michelle proved her wrong by maintaining a positive mindset, and she was accepted to Princeton. It is always beneficial to remain positive like her to succeed, and the spirit of positivity must always be kept alive.

My personal response to the book, including its strengths and weaknesses, is that it is a book to always reckon with due to Michelle’s personality as an author. The book is highly educational and informative. She is vocal because her parents taught her to always speak up, and she is well-received by people. She tried her best to stay away from politics.

The relevant connections to my own life or broader societal issues are that it encourages me to keep striving for the best without relenting, and that positivity, zeal, and energy must be awakened in all areas. It encourages me to always use my voice and aim to speak the truth.

I rate Becoming 9.5 stars out of 10. The book is worth reading and is engaging because it is both educational and informative. It stands out among other books because of the author’s personality. The book is well-received by readers.

This book is a nonfiction memoir written by two authors, Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb. It is a beautiful story by Malala, a young girl from Swat Valley, Pakistan, who has a great passion for education and advocates for young girls' rights to education. She believes that education is an essential need that should be accessible to everyone. This memoir not only captures Malala's journey but also the diverse struggles faced by other girls, such as gender inequality and political tensions in Pakistan. I Am Malala highlights the importance of education and the courage it takes to speak out on behalf of others.

Malala's writing style is direct, sincere, and captivating. Written in an expressive, gentle tone from her point of view, it balances her youthfulness with the great challenges she faced. The book's title and story create excitement that intrigues the reader to continue. Her descriptions of her home in Swat Valley and its serenity show her deep affection for it. Major struggles revolved around Malala enduring threats from the Taliban and continuing to go to school. Help from her family and friends impacted her positively, along with her father's unwavering support, which kept her going.

This powerful, intriguing story brings attention to social, cultural, and political struggles, using good storytelling tactics, including “show, don’t tell.” This is a strong call to action, encouraging people to speak up and fight oppression. (Riviglia, “Unit#2: Writing Narrative Essays”)

An important quote is, “Deep in my heart I hoped to reach every child who could take courage from my words and stand up for his or her rights… Let us pick up our books and pens. They are the most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world” (Yousafzai and Lamb 310). This line reveals Malala's courage and unwavering belief in education’s potential, even after defying the Taliban's threats to advocate for girls' rights to education. She views knowledge as a path to empower girls and children in general. Pens and books are tools that help break the cycle of ignorance on this matter and many more.

The book’s strengths revolve around Malala’s passion for education and the resilience she maintained while advocating for girls' rights to education, despite the threats she endured. The greatest strength is how resilient and optimistic she was throughout. However, because this book is written by two authors, I noticed some differences in grammar and vocabulary between Malala and Christina’s parts. Political issues addressed in some sections felt inconsistent, and the pacing was slow. All in all, this memoir has impacted me positively, inspiring me to believe in something and never give up.

I have a deep personal connection with this memoir. Back home in my community, there is an active fight to stop female genital mutilation (FGM). However, some of the chiefs and elders are still adamant about maintaining this practice, continuing it in the name of tradition. I have been advocating for its ban, yet I received several threats that caused me to pause my efforts. However, reading I Am Malala has given me a sense of hope and rekindled the dream to keep fighting.

I rate I Am Malala 4.5 out of 5. This was an interesting and captivating read; however, I felt that the pace was slow and the political struggles were somewhat scattered. I believe it would have been an even better read if both authors’ styles and language were more similar. Nevertheless, I Am Malala is an inspiring memoir that “will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world” (Yousafzai and Lamb, I Am Malala).

As part of this course’s reading assignment, I chose to read I Am Malala, the autobiography of Malala Yousafzai, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013. For many, she is known as the hero-girl who dedicated most of her young life to defending the rights of girls to education. It gives me pleasure to present these notes as my review of this book.

Malala’s story takes place in northern Pakistan, in the area adjacent to Afghanistan. This area is known for highly conservative religious views and deep tribal traditions. It’s also a place with poor economic conditions and the lowest literacy rates, especially for females. The region experienced a dramatic escalation of armed conflicts, devastation, terror, suffering, and human rights violations over a decade ago. It was the time of the U.S. and its NATO allies’ military operations in this area to “defeat, dismantle and disrupt Al-Qaeda and the Taliban” (Barack Obama, 2009). The book also describes the role played by the Pakistani government, which at one time harbored the Taliban, the Islamic militants, and now, ordered by its Western partners, sought to find, capture, and eliminate them.

Events in the book are described in simple and candid language and in perfect chronological order. Some background information is provided to better describe each major event or local tradition. I think this is especially valuable for a reader with little knowledge about the customs, traditions, and policies governing this region. A certain level of creativity used by the authors makes reading this biography an exciting experience. The book contains 327 pages, along with additional pages of pictures of the author's childhood, school, and village.

“Then, at the end of 2008, Fazlullah’s deputy Maulana Shah Dauran announced on the radio that all girls’ schools would close. ‘From 15 January, girls must not go to school,’ he warned. First, I thought it was a joke. ‘How can they [the Taliban] stop us from going to school?’ I asked my friends. ‘They [the Taliban] don’t have the power. They are saying they will destroy the mountain, but they can’t even control the road.’” (Malala Yousafzai, I Am Malala). This quote captures the courage of one young girl who used her voice to stand against armed groups trying to close the doors of schools for girls. She was shot and could have lost her life, but she did not give up.

I found this book highly appealing to me personally. My homeland is Afghanistan, which has one of the lowest female literacy rates in the world. Education for girls has always been compromised by strict cultural traditions, hostile views, and poor resources. The Taliban have been the de facto rulers of the country since 2021, when the Western-backed government collapsed upon the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Presently, girls are allowed to attend school only until the sixth grade, and the government has banned universities from providing higher education to females. I believe that one day, girls in Afghanistan will have the same rights and resources as everywhere else to study, work, and be treated equally in society.

Personally, I would give this book five out of five stars. For those who want to know the story of one young, brave girl, I Am Malala is a book to fall asleep with and wake up to in the morning. I also think it is an important resource for human rights activists and education policymakers. Last but not least, this book documents the history of this region in the 21st century.

Amani Al-Khatahtbeh's book Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age is a powerful and insightful work. Amani reflects on her experiences as a Muslim woman growing up in the post-9/11 USA, navigating her identity and cultural faith in a society that often misunderstood her community.

Amani, a 9-year-old girl living in post-9/11 USA, faces Islamophobia and discrimination. She eventually becomes the founder and CEO of MuslimGirl.com. In her book, she offers a glimpse into her life and journey as a Muslim girl. Her story begins in her early childhood in New Jersey and continues into adulthood. She shares her experiences with identity, religion, belonging, and self-acceptance. As Amani reflects on her life, she explains how her faith and her family’s immigrant background shaped her experience as a woman and a Muslim in a post-9/11 world.

Throughout the book, Amani confronts racism, discrimination, and Islamophobia. She also grapples with balancing her religious values with societal expectations as a girl living in the USA. As an adult, Amani founded MuslimGirl.com to give a voice to women like her, sharing their experiences as Muslim girls. The memoir highlights how creating this space for self-expression and empowerment helped her reclaim her identity alongside other Muslim women.

What makes Amani’s storytelling unique is her honest and unapologetic voice. She writes with vulnerability, humor, and insight, allowing readers to connect with her on an emotional level. Her storytelling feels raw and empowering, as she does not shy away from discussing difficult and uncomfortable topics, like her struggles with identity as a Muslim woman. Her humor also enriches her narrative.

Amani's writing style in Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age is very engaging. Her tone is confident and sometimes humorous, empowering readers with a glimpse into the life of a young Muslim girl navigating her identity and faith. Amani’s writing feels like talking to a close friend—honest and unfiltered. She does not avoid difficult subjects like racism and Islamophobia.

Reading Muslim Girl was an emotional journey with its ups and downs. For me, it was both exciting and sad, even bringing me to tears as I read about how Amani and her family were judged and treated because of their faith and beliefs. The only weakness I can point out is that Amani frequently jumps between past and present, and I wish she had explored her family's immigrant experiences more deeply.

I felt a strong connection to this book through my own experience as a Muslim girl living in Canada, especially during times when negative things were said about Muslims on TV and the internet, particularly after the ISIS attacks in Iraq and Syria. Many people wrongly associated Muslims with those events, and at school, people would use racial slurs or make fun, which made me extremely uncomfortable.

I rate Muslim Girl 4/5. Amani’s storytelling is exceptional; she writes in a way that makes you feel like you are living in the moment with her. The way she shares events from her life inspired me and left me wanting to read more. I was deeply moved by how she transformed negative experiences into a positive force. I just wish she had delved more into her family's struggles.