“But then I realize that everyone is climbing their own mountain here in America. They are tall and mighty and they live in the hearts and everyday lives of the people.” (Zoboi 324). To me, this quote by the author of American Street, gives a great overview of what the book is about. I think that the author is trying to tell everyone that people’s histories can have a very large impact on who have have become now. Also, once you learn where they came from, you can begin to get a deeper understanding on who they are now. Once Fabiola leaves her homeland, Haiti, and finally gets into America, her mother is detained at the airport. Fabiola has to move in with her extended family she’s never met, when all she really wants is to live a good life in America with her mother. As she navigates her way into a new country and a new life, Fabiola will do just about anything to get her mother back, even if it means betraying her new family. Throughout the novel, she tries to find a way to be true to herself and the loved ones around her. The majority of the story was told from Fabiola’s point of view while some chapters were other characters background stories. Throughout the story, something that surprised me a lot was when the author made one of the main characters get shot and die. Kasim, who was one of the most important people in Fabiola’s life died. It was such a shock that all my emotions were crazy. It was an important part of what made me want to keep reading. Most of the books I’ve read don’t let main characters die. It was really bold of the author to do that. Also, the reason that Kasim died was because of Fabiola. She never intended Kasim to get hurt, but by doing this, she betrayed all of her cousin’s trust as well. While I was reading the beginning half of the story, I looked up to Fabiola, but after she made a choice which got Kasim killed, I was frustrated. After reading the novel, it helped me realize that everything I do and say can have a very large impact on those around me. Also, you have to think about how people were raised before you criticize their decisions. I think that the author’s overall message to the readers is that you have to accept those around you and learn from them. I learned that even the things I did when I was very young have impacted who I am now. That includes the decisions I make and my current passions. The novel shows that learning a person's history can lead to revelations on where their loyalties truly lie. By Britta S.
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AuthorSTenth grade students at Decorah High School share how they're reading outside of their own experiences and how it has changed them. Categories
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November 2022
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