American Street

by Ibi Zoboi
American Street cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Young Adult (YA)
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  • ID: 7284
  • Added: 2025-12-13
  • Updated: 2025-12-14
  • ISBN: 9781432879129
  • Publisher: Thorndike Striving Reader
  • Published: 2021-09-29
  • Reviews: 4

American Street is a National Book Award finalist that delves into the complex issues of immigration, race, and class through a gripping love story. The novel is set in Detroit and is written by a standout debut talent who is herself a Haitian immigrant, adding a layer of authenticity and personal insight to the narrative. The story is gritty and moving, offering a raw and emotional exploration of the challenges faced by immigrants in America. It's a poignant tale that resonates with contemporary issues, making it a compelling read for those interested in social commentary and diverse perspectives.

Reviews
Lil'V aka Viv Lu · 2021-08-08
dramatic 4.00

The story becomes quite dramatic and challenging, reflecting the harsh realities of life and survival. The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking.

Lil'V aka Viv Lu notes that American Street becomes quite dramatic and challenging, reflecting the harsh realities of life and survival. The reviewer finds the narrative engaging and thought-provoking, appreciating the author's ability to convey the struggles and resilience of the characters. The overall impression is one of admiration for the book's raw and authentic portrayal of tough themes, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    I would say three quarters into the story, the book gets quite dramatic.

    It's challenging to live and survive, and I felt that come through.

    The story is very raw and the characters ...

Aminas Bookshelf · 2020-08-27
beautiful 4.50

This coming-of-age story is beautifully written and evocative, capturing the complexities of teenage life and cultural identity. It's a poignant and powerful read that resonates deeply.

Aminas Bookshelf highlights the emotional depth and cultural richness of American Street. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to portray the struggles and triumphs of its teenage protagonist with authenticity and sensitivity. The story's exploration of themes like family, belonging, and cultural identity is both heartfelt and compelling, making it a standout in the YA genre. The reviewer also notes the beautiful prose and the way the narrative weaves together different cultural perspectives, creating a tapestry that is both intimate and universal.

Quick quotes

    A beautiful coming of age story, this novel gets four and a half stars.

    It's classic YA with its teenage protagonist learning to navigate the complexities of family and cultural identity.

    The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, with moments of pure joy woven throughout.

Just One More Pa(i)ge · 2019-04-02
gritty 4.00

This debut novel is gritty and authentic, offering a raw and unflinching look at life in an inner-city neighborhood. The juxtaposition of harsh realities and moments of joy makes it a memorable read.

Just One More Pa(i)ge praises American Street for its gritty and authentic portrayal of life in an inner-city neighborhood. The reviewer loves how the novel juxtaposes the harsh realities of the setting with moments of pure joy and tenderness, creating a powerful and memorable narrative. The characters are well-developed, and their struggles and triumphs are depicted with a level of realism that is both compelling and emotionally resonant. The reviewer also appreciates the novel's exploration of themes like race, poverty, and cultural identity, which are handled with sensitivity and depth.

Quick quotes

    This was an incredibly gritty and authentic debut novel.

    One thing that I loved about American Street was the juxtaposition of inner-city grit with moments of pure joy.

    The characters are well-developed, and their struggles and triumphs are depicted with a level of realism that is both compelling and emotionally resonant.

Girl Museum · Tiffany Rhoades · 2018-07-27
must-read 4.50

This novel is a must-read, offering a powerful narrative about race, poverty, and cultural identity. It's a poignant and evocative story that stands out as a significant contribution to American literature.

Tiffany Rhoades from Girl Museum calls American Street a must-read and one of the next great American novels. She highlights the novel's powerful narrative about race, poverty, and cultural identity, which is both poignant and evocative. The reviewer appreciates the way the story weaves together different cultural perspectives, creating a rich and complex tapestry that is both intimate and universal. The characters are well-developed, and their struggles and triumphs are depicted with a level of realism that is both compelling and emotionally resonant. The reviewer also notes the beautiful prose and the way the narrative captures the essence of the American experience with sensitivity and depth.

Quick quotes

    American Street is a must read, and one of the next great American novels.

    It's a poignant and evocative story that stands out as a significant contribution to American literature.

    The story weaves together different cultural perspectives, creating a rich and complex tapestry that is both intimate and universal.

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