The Verse Novel Shelf
Cover of Punching the Air

At a glance

Published
2020
Publisher
Balzer + Bray
Subgenre
Contemporary
Section
Young Adult

Punching the Air

Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam

Amal, a Black teen artist and poet, is wrongfully convicted after a fight and holds onto his humanity through art.

  • Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2022
  • Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor 2021
  • Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Honor 2021
  • Walter Dean Myers Award 2021
  • YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2021
  • YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2021
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Themes

Race & racismAddiction & incarcerationMusic & art

Mood

Feels emotional, hopeful.

More by Ibi Zoboi

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