Summary: The host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, tells the story of growing up half black, half white in South Africa under and after apartheid in this young readers’ adaptation of his bestselling adult memoir Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood.
BORN A CRIME IS SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING OSCAR WINNER LUPITA NYONG’O!
Trevor Noah, the funny guy who hosts The Daily Show on Comedy Central, shares his remarkable story of growing up in South Africa with a black South African mother and a white European father at a time when it was against the law for a mixed-race child to exist. But he did exist–and from the beginning, the often-misbehaved Trevor used his keen smarts and humor to navigate a harsh life under a racist government.
This fascinating memoir blends drama, comedy, and tragedy to depict the day-to-day trials that turned a boy into a young man. In a country where racism barred blacks from social, educational, and economic opportunity, Trevor surmounted staggering obstacles and created a promising future for himself, thanks to his mom’s unwavering love and indomitable will.
It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime not only provides a fascinating and honest perspective on South Africa’s racial history, but it will also astound and inspire young readers looking to improve their own lives. (Summary from goodreads.com – Image belongs to Reading for Sanity)
Ashley’s Review: I’m sure you’ve heard of the original book Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. This is the young reader’s edition. We read this for my book club, and the book club is a very age-diverse group of women. I’m the youngest, and the oldest is 87. We’re quite diverse politically, too, as you might imagine with such a wide range in age. You may be surprised to hear that one of our most liberal members is one of the older members, though. Anyway, I tell you this because you can imagine how this book might have caused a stir if it were the original book, but the young reader edition was just the right amount of everything for our group of ladies.
I’ve heard of Apartheid, I’ve heard of Nelson Mandela, and I’ve even been to South Africa. However, there is no way to actually know what it would have been like unless you lived it or hear stories about it. Trevor Noah does a great job of letting us into this world. I didn’t read the original book, but even the young reader edition was gritty in a lot of ways. However, Trevor Noah is hilarious. He tells his stories in ways that you can’t help but be charmed and appreciate what he went through. Also, the boy was a total hooligan. ha! My book club and I were laughing so hard about his various shenanigans. He would have been such a handful as a child.
Noah did a great job of telling about the different characters in his story. Two characters of note were his mother and her boyfriend/husband Abel. Noah’s mother is strong, tough, smart, wise, and a true visionary. She understood what Trevor needed in his life to overcome the hardships he was born into, and she was a tough woman who taught him lessons, even when they were difficult. Also, some of the true comedy gold comes from stories that Trevor tells about his mother, whether she was on his side or not. She is definitely an exemplary person and had some very interesting, shocking, and miraculous things happen in her life. She was truly a commendable part of the story that the entire book club enjoyed.
Abel is pretty much the opposite. Trevor Noah tells the story fairly, I think, and recognizes that people are what they are. I think he gave air time to the different sides of Abel, while not minimizing the damage he caused in his life.
I wouldn’t say this is a book you’d have middle graders read. Apartheid is no joke, and Trevor Noah grew up in very difficult circumstances. However, I think teens could benefit a lot from reading this and understanding many of the cultural issues that exist today in American culture that could lead to toxic and dangerous outcomes for minority populations.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
For the sensitive reader: There are some very difficult stories of abuse, as well as crime and corruption at all levels of society.
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