This Is My America: A NetGalley Review

Hi Friends!

Thank you to Net Galley for the chance to read Kim Johnson's debut This is My America prior to it's July 28th release date.

The entire time I was reading this, the song my Childish Gambino "This Is America" was playing in my head.

Wow. This book was powerful and very, very relevant to today's world. 

The story follows our main character Tracy as she is trying to get her father's case appealed, nine months before he is executed for his role in a double murder. While she is working to prove his innocence, her track star brother Jamal is accused of murdering the most popular girl (who is conveniently White) one  night. 

The story then takes off and tackles the subject of Black Lives Matter and the racial injustices that Black people face when it comes to police and the criminal justice system. 

This book was a work of fiction, but it felt so real at the same time because the things that were happening to our characters are truly happening in today's world to individuals of color of all ages. Tracy's motivation and dedication to fighting her father's case for over seven years is remarkable. I found myself tearing up and very angry at so many different parts of this story because of the way that our main characters were being treated. The author also dabbled with the history of the KKK and integrate them into the story to remind readers that White Supremacists are still very much out there and active. 

The author used both Jamal and his father's cases and intertwined them and connected them in such a brilliant way, that not only made sense but flowed with the story line. 

This book was incredible. I am truly speechless and feel that I need to process this story a little more. It is such an important read for individuals of all ages and color to read as soon as this book is released, and it needs to be discussed. This book should not be put under the radar, but spotlighted and talked about because it's important. 

For all you "All Lives Matter" protesters - read this book and you will see first hand how your argument is invalid and selfish, and understand why we need to be fighting for Black Lives. 

I will be ordering myself a physical copy of this book and will be re-reading it again in the future. 

Rating: 5 Stars (I would give more if I could)

Casting Call:

Tracy Beaumont: Keke Palmer

Quincy Ridges: Robert Lee Jones III