American Street

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By Ibi Zoboi

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Publisher Description

A National Book Award Finalist with five starred reviews and multiple awards!

A New York Times Notable Book * A Time Magazine Best YA Book Of All Time* Publishers Weekly Flying Start * Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * ALA Booklist Editors' Choice of 2017 (Top of the List winner) * School Library Journal Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * BookPage Best YA Book of the Year

An evocative and powerful coming-of-age story perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jason Reynolds

In this stunning debut novel, Pushcart-nominated author Ibi Zoboi draws on her own experience as a young Haitian immigrant, infusing this lyrical exploration of America with magical realism and vodou culture.

On the corner of American Street and Joy Road, Fabiola Toussaint thought she would finally find une belle vie—a good life.

But after they leave Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabiola’s mother is detained by U.S. immigration, leaving Fabiola to navigate her loud American cousins, Chantal, Donna, and Princess; the grittiness of Detroit’s west side; a new school; and a surprising romance, all on her own.

Just as she finds her footing in this strange new world, a dangerous proposition presents itself, and Fabiola soon realizes that freedom comes at a cost. Trapped at the crossroads of an impossible choice, will she pay the price for the American dream?

44 Reviews

4.0

Naomi Sasaki

Created over 2 years ago

“1,5 ⭐ There were times that I was really invested and thought that this book might be some kind of Other Words for Home YA black version of the story... But I think at the end of it, the author was trying to achieve so many things with the story and put so many aspects of culture and social commentary, that she got lost in the middle of it all. Also, unfortunately I thought the end was a little bit all over the place and underwhelming, so it was a no for me.”

bookedinthemidwest

Created over 5 years ago

“This story is gut-wrenchingly beautiful. I can’t even begin to express what I just experienced reading this. It was raw, captivating, honest, and hurt - but in a way that makes you wish the story would never end.”

Kathrine Kaste

Created 6 months ago

“Fabiola is a US citizen living in Haiti with her mother. They have decided to go and live in Detroit with her sister. Fabiola is sent on from New York while her mother is detained in New Jersey. Fabiola has to learn how to navigate Detroit without her mother there. Her cousins are street-smart and have many secrets to hide. Their house is on the Corner of American Street and Hope Way. The symbolism in this book was so strong. Fabiola brings her Haitian beliefs and culture to the house in Michigan. Fabiola has to make a choice between her family and mother when there are some bad elements happening. This was a strong and emotional story. It was challenging to listen to, but only because it was intense. The narrator was amazing, capturing all the voices of the people in the story. I'm glad I have read more books by Ibi Zoboi.”

Heather Stringham

Created over 5 years ago

“<strong>Survive? Maybe.</strong> Fabulous comes to America hoping for a new life, but the world she enters is sad and imperfect. She finds love and family, but struggles to find her place.”

Drudru

Created over 2 years ago

“This book was phenomenal it was so nice reading a book that hit so close to home, Fabiola represented, how it is for us Haitian immigrants trying to int4er fold ourselves into American culture, while still trying to balance our Haitian roots at home. It was so nice to see our language, our sayings, our food, and our culture on paper. I couldn't have been more proud of this author she is a phenomenal storyteller, and it gave me hope to see that Haitian children can inspire to be more then doctor's, nurse's, and lawyers as is often times expected of them, but we can be storytellers and artist. I can't wait to read more from this author.”

About Ibi Zoboi

Ibi Zoboi holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her novel American Street was a National Book Award finalist and a New York Times Notable Book. She is also the author of Pride and My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich, a New York Times bestseller. She is the editor of the anthology Black Enough. Born in Haiti and raised in New York City, she now lives in New Jersey with her husband and their three children. You can find her online at www.ibizoboi.net.