Review: American Street by Ibi Zoboi


30256109American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Published by: Balzer + Bray/ Harper Collins 

Publication Date: February 14th 2017

Genre: YA Contemporary/Diverse/Own Voices

Pages: 336 pages

Format: eGalley

Rating: ★★★★ (4 STARS)

*Click on cover for Goodreads

Thank you Balzer + Bray, Harper Collins, and Ibi Zoboi for the eGalley of American Street in exchange for an honest review.

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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?

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American Street tells the story of Fabiola Toussaint, a young teen who has returned to the United States with her mother in search of a better life or as they’ve come to call it, Une Belle Vie (a good life). Fabiola was born in the states however, her mother took her back to Haiti when she was still a baby. Fabiola was raised in Haiti where she and her mother are all they have. The books opening scene takes place in the airport, Fabiola and her mother had just landed and were to be picked up by their family in Detroit Michigan. Immigration however, detains Fabiola’s mother on grounds of suspicion to stay in the country longer than her Visa allows. In years past, Fabiola’s mother had stayed in the country with an expired Visa and she was thought to be returning with the intent to stay. Fabiola is forced to go on with her American family-her 3 cousins and aunt. She was in her last year of High School and is to finish in the states as planned by her mother and aunt. Fabiola’s mother is taken to a detention center in New Jersey where her fate is unknown and there is no way of communicating. Getting updates on her status is made extremely difficult & Fabiola’s aunt Matant Joe wants her to focus on school while she attempts to help her sister, Fabiola’s mother. We follow Fabiola’s journey in Detroit, she speaks English very well since her aunt paid for her to receive the equivalent of an American education while in Haiti. However, Detroit looks nothing like Haiti-not the land, people, food, or customs. Fabiola’s dream of a better life never had a chance to manifest before it was taken away. While in Detroit she tries her best to fit in with the family she has now been thrust into and attend school. All the while thinking of ways to get any bit of information on her mothers status & how she can get her out of the detention center. Fabiola’s family in Detroit love and accept her however, they have fallen to the gritty life of Detroit’s streets and it proves almost impossible for Fabiola to stay out of their dealings. Matant Joe has had to survive and care for her 3 girls as best she could all the while financially supporting her sister and Fabiola in Haiti. When the truth unravels, Fabiola finds herself at a crossroads. How far will she go to help her mother?

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I’ve read a ton of Fantasy and therefore, have come across many heroines and strong leaders. However, I have never come across a stronger protagonist in contemporary Fiction let alone Young Adult. Fabiola is loyal and strong in her ideals, spiritual beliefs, and love for her family. She takes the lemons she’s been given and proceeds to turn them into lemonade. We never get the sense that she is giving up on her mother or her current situation. She is observant and strategic, with one goal in mind. I admire Fabiola’s determination to maintain her identity; from the language she speaks, to the spirits that guide her, and the flavor with which she cooks food for her cousins and aunt. We also get introduced to & follow Fabiola’s three cousins Primadonna, Chantal, and Princess AKA The Three Bees. They are known for intimidating those around them and NEVER EVER allowing either one of them be disrespected. They value family over everything and in order to survive the ruthlessness of Detroits streets, have built a reputation for being untouchable. Primadonna is known as the beauty for her fashion sense, we see her journey through an abusive relationship. Chantal is known as the brains, she has sacrificed the opportunity to go to a prestigious University in exchange for staying close to home to care for her mom and sisters. Princess is known as The Brawn and goes by just “Pri”, she is the muscle and we see her deal with her sexuality. Matant Joe, Fabiola’s aunt isn’t in too many of the scenes for health reasons but nonetheless we feel her strong presence over her household. She’s been through a lot since she arrived in the states herself and it has all taken a toll. All of the characters in this book are strong in one way or another. They all are chasing a dream whether it’s theirs or their parents. In the end I was left wanting more for all of the girls who lived in the house on the corner of America and Joy Street…

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The writing in American Street is a mix between Fabiola’s native culture and the raw grittiness of Detroits mean streets. Fabiola’s religion is that of Voodoo & we get a different take on it from Fabiola than what is portrayed in main stream media. Fabiola is very vocal about the fact that her religion is not all that is seen on tv. She speaks of the different spirit guides and what they are known for. One in particular is Papa Legba the watcher of all crossroads, this is the spirit guide we see throughout the book and Fabiola believes is there to show her the correct path. I LOVED the parts we got to see and learn about Fabiola’s religion, i’ve always been very open minded and I was able to recognize many of the names for her spirit guides who go by other names in other religions. This book is also a very fast paced read and I found myself flipping the pages almost too quickly. In between chapters we do get a couple of pages where we are given a bit of story from the perspective of one of the supporting characters. Giving us backstory on events that have shaped them into who they are now and the actions they have taken to survive in a concrete jungle. I do wish we had seen a bit of Fabiola’s mothers story, its not often we see such close bonds between mother & daughter like Fabiola and her mom. I can’t speak too much on the ending for fear of spoilers but I will say that by the end of this story, Fabiola isn’t the same girl her mother last saw in the airport. We do get some character development in a very realistic sense. This is a story of new beginnings after all your dreams have been shattered. It’s not an easy one but life for immigrants/emigrants rarely is…

I recommend American Street for readers who are looking for cultural and socio-economic diversity. Readers who want a realistic portrayal of what its like for immigrants & emigrants leaving the familiar for the foreign. Lastly, I recommend this book to those with an open mind and an open heart

Author: LairOfBooks

"I didn't choose the Book Life, the Book Life chose me"

29 thoughts on “Review: American Street by Ibi Zoboi”

  2. I feel like although Fabiola is from Haiti, this is still relatable to me as a Latina. And I’m sure a lot of Latinx folk can understand as well because of the process Fabiola grows through coming from another country to America..the cultural, language, values, and learning process. Still holding onto those values of “family first” and it’s great that this book shows that. I appreciate the take on religion in this book as well and thank you for mentioning how media portrays this. Lovely review as always my friend, you definitely hit very important points ❤

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    1. Thank you Grey! American Street offered a lot of insight on a culture & religion that I didn’t know too much about. These had to be some of my most favorite parts. I appreciated the fact that nothing about her experience was made to look easy which is the case for a lot of immigrants/emigrants. Having family myself that have immigrated to the states, I have seen the culture shock they experience but can’t imagine how they must have felt. Ibi Zoboi gives us an idea of the pain Fabiola feels when separated from her mother through raw emotion & heartbreaking scenes. Family is def central to Fabiola which made me love her character all the more. I’ll be keeping an eye out for this authors future works 😉

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      1. I completely understand you. I have seen that culture shock plenty of times with other families. Completely missed my head or don’t remember if you mentioned it in your review, is this the authors debut novel?

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  3. This is a gorgeous review! ❤ I have been waiting to see this ever since you first mentioned the title. I am so glad this one was not a disappointment. Fabiola sounds incredible and wonderful. The fact that you connected so well as to label her the strongest heroine has me very excited. I hope I find time to make this one of my diverse reads for the year ❤

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  4. Great review Lilly, this sounds like an amazing book and as I am looking for more diverse reads to add to my TBR list it’s one I will definitely be picking up myself at some point. It sounds like a brilliant story and I love the fact that it has some strong female characters as well. I read a lot of fantasy as well but just from your review and your description of Fabiola she sounds like a stronger female character than a lot of the others I’ve read! 🙂
    I’m glad you enjoyed this book. Thanks for putting it on my radar as well! 😀

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    1. Thank you Beth! If you’re looking for diverse reads, this is an excellent choice for a Haitian narrative. Hope you enjoy this one when you get around to it. There are so many great diverse & own voices books being released this year, super excited 🙂

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      1. That’s all right, and that more than settles it; this is a book that is on my to-read list for 2017 for sure! 😀
        I am certainly seeing more diverse books around that are yet to be released. I’m really excited to get around to some of the ones I’ve discovered so far! 😀

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  6. Yay! I’m so glad this book connected with you. I cannot wait to read this book– I am fascinated by the idea of bring your culture to another country and trying to fit in and make a space for yourself. I was a bit worried that this book would be overhyped, and I’m glad I have been proven incorrect thus far. Grest review!

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  9. Lilly this was a fantastically stated review, I just added this to my tbr books on Goodreads the whole idea and the themes just speak to me. I am always on the look out for more Immigration tales and thanks you for the review 🙂

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  10. I’ve seen this one floating around but this is probably the first review I’ve seen. I really like the sound of this book and I love the fact that the characters are from Haiti. I read a book set in Haiti last year and found it so interesting. Plus, Fabiola sounds like a character I would love. I’ll definitely be adding this to my TBR. Great review, Lilly! 😊

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  11. I’m excited about this one bc I won it in a giveaway and I can’t wait to read it! Your review makes me feel good about giving a contemporary book a read! (You know I’m not much for contemporary usually).

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    1. Thanks Stephanie! this is a good contemporary if you’re looking to discover some diverse/own voices authors. The protagonist & author are both from Haiti & it makes for an authentic reading experience. Hope you enjoy the writing/story if you decide to pick this one up 😉

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      1. Oh I will because I entered the giveaway to hopefully read it. Trying to diversify my reading and I am dipping my toe into the contemporary genre. I can only read so much contemporary at once though: I like the optimism in fantasy I guess. Real-world settings remind me of the problems out there when I am trying to escape them! 😉

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