In This Is My America, Kim Johnson delivers a heart-wrenching and gripping narrative that places the realities of systemic injustice in America under a powerful lens. The story follows 17-year-old Tracy Beaumont, who is racing against time to clear her father’s name before his execution for a crime he didn’t commit. This novel, though categorized as young adult, weaves together themes of racial injustice, wrongful convictions, and the resilience of the Black community in a way that will resonate with readers of all ages.
At its core, This Is My America brings up many of the same emotions as Tayari Jones’ An American Marriage and Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow. Much like Jones’ characters, Tracy and her family endure the emotional toll of being unjustly targeted by the criminal justice system. Tracy’s father, wrongly convicted of murder, echoes the plight of Roy from An American Marriage, who is also falsely imprisoned. The fact that Tracy holds a clear memory of being with her father at the time of the crime, was the most frustrating truth brought to light. Can you imagine, knowing for a verifiable fact that something was one way only to be proven it was another? The deep, emotional narrative of family resilience and love in the face of systemic oppression connects these works on a visceral level.
Additionally, This Is My America also shares thematic ties with The New Jim Crow. Michelle Alexander’s non-fiction masterpiece offers a sobering look at how the U.S. criminal justice system disproportionately targets Black Americans, a point that Johnson highlights through the wrongful conviction of Tracy’s father and her brother’s sudden entanglement with the police after being accused of a crime. Although a fictional narrative, but the systemic issues Johnson tackles are all too real, echoing the research and stories Alexander documented in her book.
Unfortunately, this reality is being played out in real life with the tragic case of Marcellus Williams. Williams, a Black man in Missouri, executed today despite compelling DNA evidence that could exonerate him. His case has sparked outrage and placed a spotlight on how innocent people can be put to death in a broken system. This parallels Tracy’s father in This Is My America—both are innocent men trapped in a system that often overlooks justice in favor of expediency.
Johnson’s novel, like Alexander’s work, encourages readers to question the system, to ask who gets left behind, and to demand a fairer, more just future.
Why You Should Read This Is My America
Kim Johnson’s storytelling draws you in with a mix of thriller, social commentary, and raw emotion. Tracy’s determination to save her father, and her brother, makes for a gripping read, but the real impact of the novel lies in its unflinching portrayal of systemic racism in America. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, much like Tayari Jones’ and Michelle Alexander’s books.
If you are passionate about social justice and love stories that combine personal strength with critical societal issues, this book belongs on your reading list. You can find This Is My America, An American Marriage, and The New Jim Crow through the affiliate links below.
Buy This Is My America by Kim Johnson
Buy An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Buy The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
(Note: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, but all opinions are my own.)
For more information on the case of Marcellus Williams, you can read about it here. His story reminds us of the ongoing need to push for justice and fairness in our legal system, and how narratives like This Is My America are more relevant than ever.
