This Is My America by Kim Johnson

This Is My America by Kim Johnson was published in 2020, and from the first page to the last, this story is compelling. The story begins with Tracy's letter to Innocence X on behalf of her father who was convicted of a double murder and is facing the death penalty in 275 days. Innocence X is a group that helps those who feel they were wrongfully convicted. 

Tracy's brother, Jamal, is a runner who will get to go to college on scholarship, but before that can happen, he is accused of murdering a girl in his town. He goes on the run because he doesn't trust the legal system in their Texas town. 

Tracy's little sister was born after their dad was arrested, so she has only known him since he has been a prisoner. 

Tracy continues to write to Innocence X, but they don't respond to her. She has the help of two friends: Dean - the white son of her mother's employers, and Quinton - the son of the man who was killed being arrested by police as her father's accomplice in the double homicide. 

As this mystery unfolds, Kim Johnson tackles systemic racism, bias, the complications and unfairness of the prison system, and the complications that can arise in friendship. So much in this book reminds me of the poetry of Langston Hughes and his words, "I, too, am America."

I love the cover of this book and all the details it contains: a girl with red and blue and stars and stripes woven in to her hair. She has one earring that is a handcuff and one earring the shape of Texas. I look forward to recommending this book to my students. Great read. 

Read to a child today even if that child is you!

Link to our NICU book registry to donate books to babies in the newborn intensive care unit so their parents can read to them while they grow. You can also donate gently used books to our project by sending them to me or to Angie. Email me for a mailing address. We can use both English and Spanish books. If you have a graduate of the NICU, or if you have a baby whose life you would like to honor by donating books to this project, let me know, and I can make a book plate with their name for the books you donate.