I'm disappointed that it took me so long to read this one! It was truly incredible.

While this book dealt with serious topics and themes, Tracey and others still felt like teens, which is a testament to Johnson's immaculate writing. Highly recommend for fans of Just Mercy, whodunnit mysteries, teens solving crimes, and books about racial justice.

I really wanted to love this one considering it has been compared to Just Mercy, but I didn't enjoy it.

You know what I loved about this story? Primarily, it is so relevant to what is happening today. But, it also has a gripping mystery element as to what happened to Angela. Add to the fact that the characters are just compelling that you immediately root for!

This story is so relevant to what we are all experiencing today. It shows the blatant injustice and racism towards people of a different color, orientation, or caste. I really admired the author because she brings up additional cases like the KKK into the mix. I can only imagine the constant fear and protection people have to live with when they face such groups. She managed to include everything like romance, mystery, suspense, and drama while staying consistent with the theme.

I loved Tracy as the main character. To be honest, I didn’t really like her in the beginning when she takes control of Jamal’s interview. But, once the story-line progressed, I fell in love with her. The author nicely shows that even the smallest actions that Tracy does have a big impact. Beverly was another favorite, and I wished we saw more of her. It would be interesting to see a separate story-line focusing on Beverly’s life and the challenges she faces in her role. I also loved the romance between Dean and Tracy. It does not step away from the plot, but it also highlights that not all people of a certain color are bad.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading “This Is My America” and look forward to reading future books by the author.

"An AK-47 in a white hand has more rights than a Black kid with Skittles."

Amazing! This was one of my favorite reads of 2020 and it hit hard. Reminiscent of The Hate U Give, this read was intensely powerful and hard-hitting. I'm having a hard time gathering up all of my thoughts because this was so impactful. There is so much here to consider and unpack.

This is My America so honestly and unflinchingly delivered thoughts on and examples of systemic racism that explored areas I hadn't even considered. It is an incredibly emotional read and really lays bare all of the ways that our communities, our police systems, our educational systems are biased and unnecessarily more critical of and harsh on those of color. I was absolutely dumbfounded by this book and couldn't read it fast enough. Johnson's writing is beautiful and fully accessible, feeling both comfortable and unsettling at the same time. It made me really explore my own predispositions and recognize the bigger picture. It left me still somewhat reeling and breathless.

Tracy is a wonderful character and the choice to deliver the story from her point of view was brilliant. I love exploring this subject through the eyes of someone who is still developing, still deciding who they should be and how they should approach the world. Tracy is strong, resourceful, and determined. She definitely has things to learn and her age does add some vulnerability. These things serve only to make her a more realistic and sympathetic character. I loved that she had so much education behind her and was used to demonstrate that Black individuals are often having to learn and consider things in their daily lives that go beyond the pale. No one should have to fear for their lives just because they wear a hoodie or walk with their hands in their pockets in a neighborhood that isn't their own.

This is an incredibly important read that needs to be put in the hands of every person. My heart and gut just ached through the majority of this story. It was one of those things where you know this kind of stuff is out there, but it's just so easy to go on with your own life and forget that others have to deal with this kind of disrespect simply because of the color of their skin.


* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

This was a really strong and really necessary exploration of systemic racism in the US criminal justice system and how deeply white supremacy is rooted into it. The story is told in a very realistic style, which makes it a heavy, emotional read at times, but it had me crying from happiness towards the end - it's ultimately hopeful as well.

This book is quite close to flawless. It was painful and engrossing, such a vividly painted novel about the state of the prison and "criminal justice" system in the United States. I truly hope Kim Johnson continues to write more in the young adult sphere. The world and it's teens (and more adults) need these stories - both to learn from and to see their real life reflected. I need more people to read this one!

This book is an incredibly powerful story, illustrating the racist and deeply flawed criminal justice system in the United States. This book will draw you in and keep you hooked until the very end.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchased this YA/middle grade novel for my middle school library. Superb character development, elegant world building, and compelling plotting.

THIS IS MY AMERICA is one of those books that should be on high school reading lists everywhere. This powerful story about racism, activism, and ultimately, hope, has so many compelling threads: a smart and determined MC named Tracy who won’t give up on justice, a family who won’t give up on each other, and a town that has to come to terms with the sins of its past and present. There is so much to admire about Tracy – her bravery, her love for her family & friends, and her tenacity and resourcefulness as she works to help get her father (wrongfully imprisoned years earlier) released and, in the process, uncovers a web of secrets that threaten the lives of everyone in her family (most significantly, her older brother Jamal). This book has so much to say about institutional injustice, generational trauma and white supremacy, but also about the inspiration to be found in passionate young people who stand up for what is right and work to make change. And it’s all wrapped up in a mystery that will keep you turning pages until the very end. Highly, highly recommend.

Based on the review copy provided to me, I purchased this book. After the Black Lives Matter movements, students in my middle school wanted more stories that represented them or educated them about others’ lived experiences. The format was extremely popular!

An incredibly powerful debut that very well mirrors both past and present events in our society, tackling the realities and wrongfulness of our criminal justice system while incorporating a “who did it” aspect that’ll leave you questioning and wondering till the very end.

MUST READ!!! Captured my attention immediately. Amazing writing had me overflowing with tears! The author's note was extremely impactful in its honesty. Totally copying the further reading list!

What a book! So many excellent topics to discuss in this story. The injustice of the judiciary system and what black Americans face on the daily. A book full of love, friendship, loyalty, differences . This book will make you feel so many things . The pressure of high school, college planning, teen life, a father in jail waiting execution and so much more.. I love my fierce Tracy. I believe this book should be required reading .

This was a really good, fast paced book that followed Tracy as she fought to get her father off of death row. It has already been 7 years and he had less than a year remaining before the state of Texas took his life for a double murder he did not commit. I found this book to be really straightforward and loved Tracy's character as well as the rest of the Beaumont family. Honestly all of the characters were great, even the villains in the story. I really see this becoming a film, it's perfect for the screen and less traumatic to watch versus some other film adoptions of Black novels. I don't want to spoil anything but I will say there is mystery, action, suspense, fear and even betrayal. There was also a bit of a love triangle, and exploration of how having a family member in prison impacts a family. 100% worth reading-- I am so glad I finally sat down with this one.

This book came at a time when lots of books of a similar nature were hitting the market, but I feel it still managed to set itself apart in its uniqueness. This would be a fantastic pairing with excerpts from (or even the whole work of) Bryan Stevenson's "Just Mercy" adaptation for Young Readers. I intend to include it as a future choice for my social justice book clubs alongside titles like "The Hate U Give" and "All American Boys."

An absolute powerhouse book about the realities of race and injustice in the American system. It hit home during such a true and pivotal time we live in right now. Great storytelling and such as real look into what has happened to African American men in our country.

This book is SO relevant to the problems we are facing in America today and really opened my eyes to the problems with mass incarceration that the black community faces. A must read, especially for those hoping to gain a fresh perspective!

No words I write could do this book justice, but here it goes.

This Is My America tells the story of Tracey Beaumont and her battle in trying to get justice for her father, an innocent Black man who is sitting on death row. Every day, Tracey writes a letter to Innocence X, begging them to take a look at her father’s case. Tracey’s world gets further turned upside down when her brother, Jamal, is wanted for the murder of his girlfriend. Does Tracey stop fighting for her father’s freedom in order to help save her brother?

If you haven’t read this book yet, I suggest you move it to the top of your TBR! This one was such a powerful read and tells a story that unfortunately is very common in The United States. The number of innocent Black men and women who sit in prisons convicted of crimes they never committed is appalling. Stories like This Is My America are definitely important in bringing this issue to light. This one definitely will stay with me and gets 5 stars.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley and Random House Children's in exchange for an honest review.

THIS IS MY AMERICA by Kim Johnson is an incredibly profound and relevant debut. In a year that has been fraught with police brutality and cries for a reckoning of this country's deeply racist history and institutions, Johnson's powerful book about the injustices of racism and mass incarceration is a necessary addition to the conversation. The characters are so well developed. Tracy is brave and passionate, and a heroine worth rooting for.

This isn't an easy read, by any means, but it is so incredibly important. I highly recommend it to everyone, and can't wait to read more from this author.

WHY DID I LISTEN TO THIS IS MY AMERICA BY KIM JOHNSON?
This Is My America by Kim Johnson is such an important book. The topic it covers is absolutely relevant to the world in which we live and move. I also think, unfortunately, many teens reading it will be able to relate. I knew that I had to read this book. When I saw that the audiobook was narrated by Bahni Turpin, my mind was immediately made up with regards to the format that I would read this book in.

WHAT’S THE STORY HERE?
Tracy Beaumont writes weekly letters to Innocence X which is a program similar to The Innocence Project – where the aim is to free people who have been wrongly convicted. Tracy’s father is an innocent Black man who is waiting on death row and his time is running out. Things go from bad to worse for Tracy when in the middle of the night, the police arrive at her house to arrest her brother Jamal. Unfortunately, Jamal is under suspicion for the murder of a white girl. Jamal is now on the run. Innocence X does end up taking on the case. However, this causes tensions within Tracy’s Texas town to explode – particularly between the police, the people who trust the police, and those who don’t. Tracy plans to get to the bottom of what has happened, but will also uncover some family secrets along the way.

WHAT DID I THINK OF THIS IS MY AMERICA BY KIM JOHNSON?
This Is My America explores the unjust incarceration of Black people in America. It goes into depth on just how unfair the criminal justice system can be – particularly when you are poor and of color. As it turns out, justice is not blind, as much as we wish it would be. I felt like Kim Johnson’s book is an honest and clear eyed look at the system. It does not pull any punches. Granted, I am glad that it ends on a hopeful note and everything plays out okay. Also, Tracy was interesting. I liked her passion and how she even runs know your rights classes.


HOW’S THE NARRATION?
As I mentioned before, the audiobook of This Is My America is narrated by Bahni Turpin. It is 9 hours 34 minutes long. Turpin is a total professional in her narration as expected. She’s a great narrator and absolutely nails this book. This audiobook is engaging. A must listen.