Hannah has done it again. I loved her first book, ALL THE FIGHTING PARTS, and now TRUTH IS is added to the list of my favorite YA books. This book was very emotional, as it deals with a teen facing the decision of whether or not to get an abortion and HOW to do it while living with her very strict over protective mother.

The poetry is absolutely beautiful and having a novel in verse about a young poet just makes sense. I shed a few tears reading this because Truth's life is so complex, just like so many teens. Of course, the abortion is a major part of the plot but there are so many layers to what she is experiencing as a young woman that Sawyer depicts so well in this book. I feel like it's so easy to forget how much teens can be going through in their lives and to see them as one dimensional and Sawyer used this book to show how very wrong that line of thinking is.

So grateful to have received this ARC from the author herself... looking forward to more!

My starred review in Booklist:

Truth Bangura fears the only thing scarier than her unplanned pregnancy at 17 is disclosing it to her ubercritical mother. Everything from her name (her absent dad’s “fault”) to her grades and from the way she dresses to the food she eats is a target for her self-involved mother. An immigrant from Sierra Leone, her mom was planning on law school until she became pregnant with Truth as a single teen herself, leaving her daughter shouldering blame and sensing her own mother’s animosity. When Truth brings ex-boyfriend Cameron in on the secret, he supports her choice and accompanies her to New Jersey to access health care and the abortion pill. Longtime bestie Zariah casts harsh judgment upon Truth, leaving her crushed and alone. T his issue-oriented sophomore verse novel brings slam poetry into the picture, providing a release from the intense pressure Truth is battling. Writing prompts, free verse, assonance, repetition, and impassioned poetry slams with her inclusive poetry group provide community and trust for Truth—giving her a voice amid interpersonal conflicts. When a video of her slam poem goes viral, the kaleidoscope turns a bit, enabling reflection from multiple characters, portrayed authentically with flaws and hope. Empowering and fierce, Sawyerr’s latest pairs well with Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X (2018), Sharon Biggs Waller’s Girls on the Verge (2019), and Laurie Halse Anderson’s Shout (2019).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

I am a huge fan of Sawyerr's debut and was SO excited to get a chance to read this one early! I tore through this outstanding book in one day and cannot wait to add a finished copy to my shelves. Truth is a character that you cannot help but root for, regardless of how you might personally feel about her choices. This is a deep and nuanced story, about not just a young girl choosing to get an abortion but a young girl navigating challenging relationships with partners, best friends, and parents, all while finding her passion and love for slam poetry. It is the story of a girl learning to demand the opportunity to choose the direction her future will go and within that choice, also choosing to be hopeful. This novel is beautifully written and I know my high school students are going to love it so much!

Hannah V Sawyerr's books are an instant read for me. I can't get over how she used poetry, slam, and found written objects to create such an immersive story that swirled through 9 months of Truth Bangura's life where so much happened. In choosing herself, she had to set hard boundaries and make choices that others would not have. Using her powerful voice to write in journals and spoken word poetry, the main character speaks her "truth" so to speak and dips her toe into new relationships while revising old relationships that no longer serve her.

I was so mesmerized by this book, and I highly recommend it for schools and libraries.

Truth Bangura is a 17-year-old looking for a way out. Feeling constantly held back by her overbearing mother and the inadequacies she sees in herself, she’s stuck. Her best friend Zariah is looking forward to college, and she has the grades to get her into any school she wants. Not Truth. With just average grades, Truth doesn’t know if a life beyond NYC is possible, especially once she finds out she’s pregnant by her ex-boyfriend. She pours her fears and desires into her notebook, and the more she writes, the more she realizes what choice she wants to make: have an abortion. Truth loses a lot after this extremely difficult decision, but what she doesn’t lose is her love for poetry. She joins a slam poetry team, where she begins to find the power and courage to share her voice. At an open mic night, one of her performances goes viral, leaving her to deal with some unexpected truths and consequences.

Another gem from Hannah V. Sawyerr! Truth is an unforgettable character that many teens will connect with. Not only is Sawyerr’s writing beautiful and real, I got some great ideas for teaching poetry in my own classes.

In Truth Is, Hannah V. Sawyerr crafts a poignant and unflinching exploration of a high school senior’s journey toward self-determination. Through the voice of Truth Bangura, a seventeen-year-old poet navigating the complexities of an unplanned pregnancy, Sawyerr delves into themes of choice, identity, & resilience.

The novel’s verse form serves as a powerful conduit for Truth’s internal and external conflicts, allowing readers to experience her emotional landscape with intimacy and immediacy. Sawyerr’s use of free verse, journal entries, and interactive poetry prompts creates a dynamic narrative structure that mirrors our protagonist’s evolving sense of agency.

At the heart of Truth Is is a narrative that challenges societal expectations and underscores the importance of personal choice. As Truth grapples with her decision to have an abortion, she confronts not only her own uncertainties but also the judgements and opinions of those she’s closest with. The revelation of Truth’s decision through a viral performance underscores the tension between personal autonomy and public perception, a theme that resonates in today’s digital age. This novel is a beautiful testament to the resounding strength found in owning one’s truth.

Sawyerr’s lyrical prose and unflinching honesty breathe life into a narrative that is as timely as it is tender. This novel-in-verse is a resource for teens & education for adults. We truly believe this is a must-read, must-buy for high school & public libraries, classroom shelves, & to add to personal collections.

WOW. WOW WOW WOW. Hannah Sawyerr's sophomore novel is just as good as her first—I devoured it in a day, riveted by Truth's voice, Sawyerr's nuanced exploration of choice and generational trauma was so deftly handled, and her poetry cuts like a knife. I'm so glad young people get to read her novels, and can't wait to push this one into the hands of everyone I know.

Sawyerr's sophomore novel is even more astounding than the first. Stunning poetry, and Truth is someone I really enjoyed rooting for. Her challenges with her mother are so real and complex. Her relationship with herself is the star of the show, here, and I really enjoyed seeing her workshop her poetry throughout. I cannot wait to recommend this.