25 Books like Punching the Air

Six Truths and a Lie

by Ream Shukairy

On July Fourth, an oil rig explodes and six Muslim teens take the fall.

3.89

1k+

📁 Legal Thriller ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🌙 Islamophobia 🥀 Survivor's Guilt 🤝 Reluctant Allies

Six Truths and a Lie 92%

On July Fourth, an oil rig explodes and six Muslim teens take the fall.

by Ream Shukairy 2024

3.89

1k+ ratings

📁 Legal Thriller ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🌙 Islamophobia 🥀 Survivor's Guilt 🤝 Reluctant Allies

Dear Martin

by Nic Stone • 2017

Wrongfully arrested, a Black teen writes a civil rights icon. A cop's bullet tests his nonviolence.

4.33

86k+

🚨 Racial Profiling 👮🏾‍♂️ Police Brutality ⛓️ Wrongful Arrest 🏫 Private School 💕 Interracial Romance

Dear Martin 93%

Wrongfully arrested, a Black teen writes a civil rights icon. A cop's bullet tests his nonviolence.

by Nic Stone 2017

4.33

86k+ ratings

🚨 Racial Profiling 👮🏾‍♂️ Police Brutality ⛓️ Wrongful Arrest 🏫 Private School 💕 Interracial Romance

Miles Morales Suspended

by Jason Reynolds • 2023

Suspended for defying a racist teacher, Miles discovers his school is devouring its own stories.

3.81

1k+

📜 Verse Novel ✊ Student Resistance 📚 Book Censorship 🕷️ Black Superhero ⛓️ School-To-Prison Pipeline

Miles Morales Suspended 92%

Suspended for defying a racist teacher, Miles discovers his school is devouring its own stories.

by Jason Reynolds 2023

3.81

1k+ ratings

📜 Verse Novel ✊ Student Resistance 📚 Book Censorship 🕷️ Black Superhero ⛓️ School-To-Prison Pipeline

The Hate U Give

by Angie Thomas • 2017

A teen witnesses a police shooting and becomes the sole voice for her friend's justice.

4.45

1.0M+

🖤 Racial Injustice ✊ Teen Activism 🔄 Code Switching 🎤 Finding Your Voice 💑 Interracial Romance

The Hate U Give 91%

A teen witnesses a police shooting and becomes the sole voice for her friend's justice.

by Angie Thomas 2017

4.45

1.0M+ ratings

🖤 Racial Injustice ✊ Teen Activism 🔄 Code Switching 🎤 Finding Your Voice 💑 Interracial Romance

Before the Ever After

by Jacqueline Woodson • 2020

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

4.17

16k+

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

Before the Ever After 91%

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

by Jacqueline Woodson 2020

4.17

16k+ ratings

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

Allegedly

by Tiffany D. Jackson • 2017

Convicted at nine of killing a baby, a pregnant teen fights the system for her child.

4.02

84k+

🧠 Psychological Thriller 🌀 Unreliable Narrator 🔒 Wrongfully Accused 🏠 Foster Care System 💔 Mother-Daughter Trauma

Allegedly 91%

Convicted at nine of killing a baby, a pregnant teen fights the system for her child.

by Tiffany D. Jackson 2017

4.02

84k+ ratings

🧠 Psychological Thriller 🌀 Unreliable Narrator 🔒 Wrongfully Accused 🏠 Foster Care System 💔 Mother-Daughter Trauma

Rebound

by Kwame Alexander • 2018

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

4.30

14k+

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

Rebound 91%

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

by Kwame Alexander 2018

4.30

14k+ ratings

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

Blended

by Sharon M. Draper • 2018

Between her white mom and Black dad, Isabella searches for the melody that sounds like her.

4.16

20k+

🖤 Biracial Protagonist 📅 Shared Custody 🎹 Piano As Escape 🏫 School Racism 🚔 Police Violence

Blended 91%

Between her white mom and Black dad, Isabella searches for the melody that sounds like her.

by Sharon M. Draper 2018

4.16

20k+ ratings

🖤 Biracial Protagonist 📅 Shared Custody 🎹 Piano As Escape 🏫 School Racism 🚔 Police Violence

Homeboyz

by Alan Sitomer • 2007

His sister killed by gangs, a teen genius must choose between revenge and saving a boy.

4.34

2k+

🔫 Gang Drama ⚔️ Revenge Quest 🧑‍🏫 Reluctant Mentor 🏠 Found Family 💔 Broken Home

Homeboyz 90%

His sister killed by gangs, a teen genius must choose between revenge and saving a boy.

by Alan Sitomer 2007

4.34

2k+ ratings

🔫 Gang Drama ⚔️ Revenge Quest 🧑‍🏫 Reluctant Mentor 🏠 Found Family 💔 Broken Home

If Beale Street Could Talk

by James Baldwin • 1974

Pregnant, a young Black woman in 1970s Harlem battles to free her falsely accused fiancé.

4.27

84k+

🖤 Black Love Story 🗣️ False Accusation ⛓️ Wrongful Arrest 👮 Police Brutality 💔 Love And Incarceration

If Beale Street Could Talk 90%

Pregnant, a young Black woman in 1970s Harlem battles to free her falsely accused fiancé.

by James Baldwin 1974

4.27

84k+ ratings

🖤 Black Love Story 🗣️ False Accusation ⛓️ Wrongful Arrest 👮 Police Brutality 💔 Love And Incarceration

The Poet X

by Elizabeth Acevedo • 2018

A Dominican teen in Harlem writes secret poems, until her mother finds them and everything changes.

4.36

143k+

📖 Verse Novel ⛪ Strict Religious Home 💕 Secret Romance 🎤 Slam Poetry 🥲 Body Image Struggles

The Poet X 90%

A Dominican teen in Harlem writes secret poems, until her mother finds them and everything changes.

by Elizabeth Acevedo 2018

4.36

143k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel ⛪ Strict Religious Home 💕 Secret Romance 🎤 Slam Poetry 🥲 Body Image Struggles

The Nickel Boys

by Colson Whitehead • 2019

A boy believes in equality. Then a Florida reform school teaches him the cost of hope.

4.25

313k+

🌳 Jim Crow South 🏫 Reform School ⚖️ Idealist Vs Cynic 🔒 Wrongful Imprisonment 🎭 Assumed Identity

The Nickel Boys 90%

A boy believes in equality. Then a Florida reform school teaches him the cost of hope.

by Colson Whitehead 2019

4.25

313k+ ratings

🌳 Jim Crow South 🏫 Reform School ⚖️ Idealist Vs Cynic 🔒 Wrongful Imprisonment 🎭 Assumed Identity

Last Chance Live!

by Helena Haywoode Henry • 2025

Eighteen and on death row, she joins a reality show where America votes on who dies.

3.77

548

🎥 Death Row Reality Tv 🖤 Black Girl Survival 🤝 Found Family 💕 Sibling Devotion 🔪 Alliance And Betrayal

Last Chance Live! 90%

Eighteen and on death row, she joins a reality show where America votes on who dies.

by Helena Haywoode Henry 2025

3.77

548 ratings

🎥 Death Row Reality Tv 🖤 Black Girl Survival 🤝 Found Family 💕 Sibling Devotion 🔪 Alliance And Betrayal

This Is My America

by Kim Johnson • 2020

Her father faces execution, her brother a murder charge. A Texas teen hunts the real killer.

4.44

10k+

⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🔍 Amateur Sleuth 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🌳 Generational Trauma 👫 Sibling Loyalty

This Is My America 92%

Her father faces execution, her brother a murder charge. A Texas teen hunts the real killer.

by Kim Johnson 2020

4.44

10k+ ratings

⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🔍 Amateur Sleuth 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🌳 Generational Trauma 👫 Sibling Loyalty

Scorpions

by Walter Dean Myers • 1995

A Harlem boy inherits his brother's gang and a gun, learning their true cost.

3.8

3k+

🏙️ Gritty Young Adult 🔫 Gang Life 💔 Tragic Friendship 🏚️ Inner City 🌧️ Childhood Lost

Scorpions 91%

A Harlem boy inherits his brother's gang and a gun, learning their true cost.

by Walter Dean Myers 1995

3.8

3k+ ratings

🏙️ Gritty Young Adult 🔫 Gang Life 💔 Tragic Friendship 🏚️ Inner City 🌧️ Childhood Lost

After the Shot Drops

by Randy Ribay

To save his cousin from a gambling debt, Nasir must destroy his best friend's basketball career.

4.13

3k+

🏀 Basketball Drama 💔 Estranged Best Friends 🎓 Recruited Athlete 💰 Class Divide 🔫 Gun Violence

After the Shot Drops 89%

To save his cousin from a gambling debt, Nasir must destroy his best friend's basketball career.

by Randy Ribay 2018

4.13

3k+ ratings

🏀 Basketball Drama 💔 Estranged Best Friends 🎓 Recruited Athlete 💰 Class Divide 🔫 Gun Violence

A Deeper Love Inside

by Sister Souljah • 2013

Her father's arrest dethrones a Brooklyn princess. Inside juvenile detention, survival is a hustle.

4.13

7k+

🏙️ Urban Fiction 🔒 Juvenile Detention 👥 Found Family 💕 First Love 💔 Parental Addiction

A Deeper Love Inside 89%

Her father's arrest dethrones a Brooklyn princess. Inside juvenile detention, survival is a hustle.

by Sister Souljah 2013

4.13

7k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Fiction 🔒 Juvenile Detention 👥 Found Family 💕 First Love 💔 Parental Addiction

Black Brother, Black Brother

by Jewell Parker Rhodes • 2020

Arrested because he's Black, a prep school boy trains to beat the bully captain at fencing.

4.17

8k+

🖤 Colorism 🤺 Fencing 👥 Brotherhood ⚖️ Racial Injustice 🦉 Mentor Figures

Black Brother, Black Brother 89%

Arrested because he's Black, a prep school boy trains to beat the bully captain at fencing.

by Jewell Parker Rhodes 2020

4.17

8k+ ratings

🖤 Colorism 🤺 Fencing 👥 Brotherhood ⚖️ Racial Injustice 🦉 Mentor Figures

If You Come Softly

by Jacqueline Woodson • 1998

White girl, Black boy, Manhattan prep school. Falling in love is the easy part.

4.03

13k+

💕 Interracial First Love 🖋️ Literary Ya 📼 1990s Coming Of Age 🏫 Private School 🗽 New York City

If You Come Softly 89%

White girl, Black boy, Manhattan prep school. Falling in love is the easy part.

by Jacqueline Woodson 1998

4.03

13k+ ratings

💕 Interracial First Love 🖋️ Literary Ya 📼 1990s Coming Of Age 🏫 Private School 🗽 New York City

Small Great Things

by Jodi Picoult • 2016

Removed from a white newborn's care for being Black, a nurse stands trial for his death.

4.36

444k+

🎯 Wrongful Accusation ⚖️ Courtroom Drama 🔗 Systemic Racism 🩺 Medical Ethics 💡 Racial Awakening

Small Great Things 89%

Removed from a white newborn's care for being Black, a nurse stands trial for his death.

by Jodi Picoult 2016

4.36

444k+ ratings

🎯 Wrongful Accusation ⚖️ Courtroom Drama 🔗 Systemic Racism 🩺 Medical Ethics 💡 Racial Awakening

Shark Girl

by Kelly Bingham • 2007

A shark takes her drawing arm. Now she must learn who she is without it.

3.85

4k+

🖋️ Novel In Verse 🦾 Acquired Disability 🎨 Artist Protagonist 🩹 Trauma Recovery 🕊️ Quiet And Lyrical

Shark Girl 89%

A shark takes her drawing arm. Now she must learn who she is without it.

by Kelly Bingham 2007

3.85

4k+ ratings

🖋️ Novel In Verse 🦾 Acquired Disability 🎨 Artist Protagonist 🩹 Trauma Recovery 🕊️ Quiet And Lyrical

Crank

by Ellen Hopkins • 2004

At her addict father's, a good girl tries meth and fractures into a reckless double.

4.16

156k+

💉 Addiction Fiction 🎭 Verse Novel 👥 Dual Identity 🌀 Good Girl Unraveling 💔 Toxic First Love

Crank 89%

At her addict father's, a good girl tries meth and fractures into a reckless double.

by Ellen Hopkins 2004

4.16

156k+ ratings

💉 Addiction Fiction 🎭 Verse Novel 👥 Dual Identity 🌀 Good Girl Unraveling 💔 Toxic First Love

Accountable

by Dashka Slater • 2023

A racist Instagram account upends a California high school. Punishment is swift; repair never comes.

4.23

6k+

🏛️ Narrative Nonfiction 💻 Online Radicalization 😔 Public Shaming 👦 Teen Boy Culture ⚖️ Restorative Justice

Accountable 89%

A racist Instagram account upends a California high school. Punishment is swift; repair never comes.

by Dashka Slater 2023

4.23

6k+ ratings

🏛️ Narrative Nonfiction 💻 Online Radicalization 😔 Public Shaming 👦 Teen Boy Culture ⚖️ Restorative Justice

Other Words for Home

by Jasmine Warga • 2019

A Syrian girl flees to Ohio and finds her voice on a middle-school stage.

4.40

35k+

📖 Verse Novel 🌏 Culture Shock 🧕 Choosing Hijab 💔 Sibling Separation 🎭 School Play

Other Words for Home 89%

A Syrian girl flees to Ohio and finds her voice on a middle-school stage.

by Jasmine Warga 2019

4.40

35k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🌏 Culture Shock 🧕 Choosing Hijab 💔 Sibling Separation 🎭 School Play

The Confession

by John Grisham • 2010

An innocent athlete faces execution in Texas while a dying man confesses to the crime.

3.93

80k+

⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🕯️ Death Row Drama 🗣️ False Confession ⏳ Race Against Time 🕊️ Redemptive Confession

The Confession 89%

An innocent athlete faces execution in Texas while a dying man confesses to the crime.

by John Grisham 2010

3.93

80k+ ratings

⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🕯️ Death Row Drama 🗣️ False Confession ⏳ Race Against Time 🕊️ Redemptive Confession

Compare Features	Free	Pro
📖 Read Summaries Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages	—
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks Free users are limited to 4	—
📜 Unlimited History Free users are limited to 4	—
📥 Unlimited Downloads Free users are limited to 1	—

People love SoBrief

Join our global community of 600,000+ readers

★★★★★

This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.

— Dave G

Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!

— Em

Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.

— Greg M