received an except of the audio book version of the book from Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

This compelling and gripping autobiography is written with the heart of a fighter! Absolute love the flow of the book though I felt the younger Yohance felt too grown up I had to remember that this kid was forced to grow up because it is what happens when people living in underprivileged circumstances wants to do better.

I’m not very familiar with the whole Biography or autobiography genre as a whole but I really enjoy this one as it’s told as a novel rather than a documentary. As it’s a coming of age story I think a lot of people would really enjoy his it. and I think it might bring some motivation into the reader’s minds.

I felt all his ups and downs and I had to stop a couple of times as there’s a part where he encounters a woman called Rachel that just made me so angry and sad at the same time.

Note that Y.A Salimu deals with racism, poverty, drug used and a plethora of opportunities to take an easy road this man didn’t take the easy road. He succeeded and created some good for himself his family and community.

The narrator of the book has a very balmy voice and manage to bring Salimu’s character to life.
No complaints about the book other than I felt there was gaps or jumps between the chapters and sometimes I felt there was information missing.

On my Top 10 of the year for sure!

Salimu's narration of his own story is powerful. Underprivileged Overachiever is an unapologetic memoir, but I think more importantly, a life model for anyone in a remotely similar situation to Salimu. Hindsight enables Salimu to create a coherent self-narrative that creates connections between each positive decision he made - in the face of great adversity - in his early life. Particularly effective to this end is his articulation of his "inner voice", as well as designating certain figures in his life as "mentors" and amplifying their guidance accordingly. As such, he implicitly teaches his reader to seek out and engage with these influences in a helpful way. This is not a book about poverty or race or education or love, although these themes feature heavily, it is one man's personal story.

Above all, this book was written with a sense of honesty.. Salimu discusses his numerous influences that shaped him and his youth, recognizes his own shortcomings, and is vulnerable in his reflections. Because the narrator for the audiobook is the author, listeners can experience yet another dimension of this sense of honesty. There are definitely parts that seem a bit more explicit than perhaps necessary to further the narrative, but never for shock value or otherwise nefarious purpose. Calling this book "inspirational" feels almost patronizing, but Salimu's persistence is admirable. It also addresses numerous themes such as masculinity and ambition with diverse perspectives. It is a book for more mature teen and adult audiences, but is a great addition to collections.