It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime Book Review

It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime 
By Trevor Noah
Published April 2019 by Delacorte

Mom's Review
It's Trevor Noah is the YA edition of Noah's memoir, Born a Crime. I read the original version shortly after it was published, and read this YA version as a Cybils judge. Reading a different version of a book I had already read was an interesting experience. I certainly noticed that some extreme content and language had been removed. Both books were well-written and had much of the same content. Noah's life story is compelling and his writing style is humorous. If you watch The Daily Show, you'll probably hear his voice in your mind as you read.

As the age level I was judging for was middle grade (grades 4-6), It's Trevor Noah was not my top choice. The book is great, just not ideal for this reading level.  The level and content are geared more toward middle school and high school level readers. Noah's background and experiences are fascinating, his writing style funny. He can take serious, troubling topics and infuse a bit of humor into his narrative such that they are more palatable. Between each personal chapter is a section on apartheid in South Africa. It's Trevor Noah teaches readers about the topic through both Noah's experiences and examples of legislation. I recommend either version for high schoolers or adults (I bought my mom a copy of Born a Crime). 

Fascinating, funny, and educational, too, It's Trevor Noah and Born a Crime are well worth the read for high schoolers and adults.

Note: A copy was provided in conjunction with judging the Cybils.

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