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If My Words Had Wings
Book Review
I encourage readers of all ages to read this book
This book was an exceptional read that brought me to tears numerous times. It’s beautifully written and brutally realistic.
The narrative centres around ‘Tyrell Forrester’, a young black boy who falls in with the wrong crowd and ends up in a juvenile detention centre. In prison ‘Ty’ befriends ‘Dadir’, who was wrongfully arrested, purely for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The story traces Tyrell’s life after his release, portraying the hardships faced by former convicts. Tyrell’s love for poetry surfaces during a workshop in prison. After his release he uses this newfound talent to make a difference.
I encourage readers of all ages to read this book. Although it may be categorized as fiction, it accurately portrays the harsh reality that many people from ethnic minorities face, and the unfairness of the legal system.
About the Book
When fifteen-year-old Tyrell Forrester gets caught up in a high-profile armed robbery, he’s sentenced to eighteen months in a young offenders’ prison. Now he’s getting out, and he’s determined to turn his life around.
Despite his release, systemic discrimination makes it difficult for Ty to truly be free. Inspired by a visiting poet while inside, Ty discovers a whole new world through spoken word and is finally finding his voice. But will society ever see him as anything other than a criminal?
Author
Danielle Jawando
Danielle Jawando is an English author and screenwriter best known for her award-winning young adult novels. Her second book, 'When Our Worlds Collided', won both the 2023 Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize and the 2023 YA Book Prize.
Reviewer Profile
Zahrah, 13
- Reviews: 12
- Likes: linguistics, shopping and coffee
- Dislikes: Liquorice and seafood
- Favourite Book: As Long as Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
- Favourite Film: Scream
- Favourite Song: Zaalima by Arjit Singh & Harshdeep Kaur
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