For me Danielle Jawando can't write a bad book. Ty is in prison for armed robbery, keeping his head down and getting on with it as he is near the end of his sentence. Ty and Dadir attend a poetry workshop, Dadir being vocal about how he doesn't want to attend but they both realise that poetry isn't just 'oldies writing.' The workshop gives them a space to open up without being embarrassed. Danielle makes sure to write about the injustices that are facing youths in prison today, that we wouldn't know about. Once Ty is out he needs to navigate his new life with a tag, where he fits in society and within his family.
This book should be read by teens and adults, it really is eye opening about the injustices facing youths, especially the young lads who are all tarred with the same brush.
I will not stop recommending Danielle's books, she is my favourite YA author.

Danielle Jawando is yet to write a book that doesn’t break my soul into a thousand pieces. This book is important and it hurts because of its importance. This is going to be one of those books that I think about for weeks to come.

Danielle Jawando that will never fail to move me with her writing. I have given all her previous books 5 stars for their beauty and emotions and that continues here.

This book felt different, almost as if it were a real life story rather than fiction. The writing is hard hitting and sad at times but such a compelling read.
Sometimes the story was hard to read, sometimes it made me feel angry, but it was also a story of determination and about the importance of having a voice.

Absolutely Brilliant. At first I wasn't sure I'd like Ty, a young fellow who ends up in jail for armed robbery, but as I got deeper into his world and his mind, I was totally captivated and finished reading the book in 3 sittings. Initially, given my dad was a prison officer who worked with some very grotesque human beings (famous felons too), I found some descriptions of the Prison Officers unnecessary. Young Ty, is stuck there for 18 months, we meet him closer to his release where he tries to keep his head down and leave without getting extra days added. He comes from a troubled background and even so has a lot of love he doesn't recognise as that. We meet Dadir who has a life sentence for a crime he did not commit, he's the voice of hope and reason to Ty and Spider is quite the opposite. Its not until Ty comes across the power of words that his mind is opened and real hope is created via a fella named Malik. On the outside he has the support of his mother and brothers but he somehow isn't translating it all into kindness. Suffering from flashbacks and mental health issues, he learns to take one step at a time in a short space of time, only is it really that hard and that easy? Becky, his probation officer is a great support to him in her gentle way, his best friend Leesh is there to listen. I'd give more than 5 stars if I could. He's an identifiable, relatable character, even if you have not been to prison. A definite recommended read.

If My Words Had Wings is a well written, unique perspective on youth offenders and their experiences. I think it's very easy to label these boys and girls 'bad' and to lock them up, write off their futures, keep them on the wrong path. But this book does a great job of reminding readers that these are our children. Children that are quite often failed by a broken system. Children that often have little choice as to how things turn out for them. Ty certainly became someone that I was rooting for and wanted to succeed, he shows readers that some of these young people do want to change their lives and be better people, and can with the right support.
However, whilst being a story filled with hope for people in Ty's situation, I do feel that it's not exactly representative of most peoples' experiences. Ty had a whole support system around him, everyone he met was willing to step up and give him a chance with total acceptance and understanding. It sort of felt a bit like a fairytale for offenders.
I love how Danielle Jawando writes the stories that aren't usually told and the characters that people don't usually care about.

I've loved Danielle Jawando's previous books and this newest book from her has more than lived up to expectations. There is so much to say about it, so much to feel about it but so little I feel able to put into words coherently. The only thing I can do is implore you to read it.

We meet main character Tyrell in prison and follow him through his final months there and back into the world outside on his release. With mental health struggles, threats from fellow inmates and anxiety about his release and his relationships with friends and family, he is finding life hard.

So too are the other characters we meet on the wing, especially those who should not be there; those who have been targeted, scape-goated and seemingly 'tidied up' but who haven't actually done anything; those who are looking at decades of their lives behind bars for minor (or non existent) crimes with no hope for anything more.

This is a difficult read. My heart broke again and again and I raged uselessly on behalf of these boys. I cannot imagine the pressure, stress, tension and despair of living like they do.

Having given up on school (because it seemed to have given up on him), Ty is surprised to find that a poetry workshop he attends purely to be out if his cell turns out to be just the thing he needed.

And it's through this he begins to see a light at the end of the tunnel and a release for his pent up feelings. It's through the safety of the poetry group that these tough lads realise they're all feeling vulnerable, hurt and victimised. There is a tentative togetherness, which I'm glad never stretches into the unrealistic - they don't become bosom buddies or create reform and unity in this godforsaken place - there's just a sort of inner strength to be found in knowing it is so.

The power of words here is not to be understated either in the metaphors and ponderings of the poetry Ty reads and creates. I loved the way the vocabulary of birds was juxtaposed with the prison setting so effectively, and the way he discovered his own voice and experience in the poetry of others - a revelation after years of irrelevant words from dead, white men at school.

This book made me so angry. I think mostly because it slams home the unfairness of society and so many of the institutions and systems that should be there to support, guide, protect, rehabilitate, educate... that instead let so many young people - especially less well-off, young, black boys - down.

So, yes, I spent much of this book raging, a great deal of it close to tears and pretty much all of it feeling utterly useless and frustrated by how impossible any change to this feels.

But I also rejoiced in the rare moments of hope, celebrated the few people working in these systems who, despite fighting against the tide, are trying to help, and cheered for the friendships, the small victories, and the feeling of freedom words can bring.

A powerful, moving story of hope and rehabilitation after prison and the power of finding your voice.

This follows the story of Ty, locked up at 15 after being caught in a high profile armed robbery. We follow his final weeks in a young offenders prison where he’s trying to stay out of trouble, when a visiting workshop ignites a love of poetry and spoken word. But surviving outside prison isn’t as easy as he imagined and Ty is struggling with his family, his friends and the world seeing him as anything other than a criminal.

🤎This is a fantastic book, really strong character development and I loved the way the relationships unfold. Ty has a huge journey to go and the way it plays out with his mum, his brothers and best friend is incredibly moving and tough in places. I love how it introduces different poets like Lemn Sissay, Benjamin Zephaniah and Patience Agbabi as his inspiration and the poems Ty writes to make his voice heard, are brilliant. It also introduced me to the societal, racial and judicial issues with ‘joint enterprise’ which I’d not previously been aware of.

I also like how the story ends - it’s not a fairy tale and it doesn’t gloss over the system being stacked against Ty, and yet it ends on a note of hope.

This is a beautifully written book that deals with some very difficult topics. The main character, Ty, is in a juvenile detention centre after being caught with a group of "friends" who robbed a jewellery store. I use quotes around the word friends, because, as Ty realises, they are the kind of friends who want to keep him at their level rather than build him up. Ty uses self-harm at times to cope with overwhelming feelings of being incarcerated and at one point we discover that he attempted suicide when he first arrived in prison; so I would advise educators to think carefully before they recommend. That being said, I would still recommend. Firstly because of the beautiful poetry that is throughout this book. Ty uses his words to help him to express feelings and thoughts that are too hard otherwise. Secondly because this book opened my eyes to the realities of joint enterprise. I was aware that this was law in the US but I had no idea that it was the case in the UK and it is scary how it impacts some of the characters in this story. Thirdly, I love that this book isn't written in standard English. Words like tho and cos are used throughout the book to represent how characters like Ty really do speak. Finally, the events towards the end of the book made me so angry. I won't spoil them, but I feel this book will make many readers into activists like Ty and Elisha.

This book is a GREAT read but it’s also an exposition of the criminal justice system and a clarion call for change.

‘If My Words had Wings’ is a fiction derived from real stories. It encompasses the stories of many boys caught up in the criminal justice system in the UK. We see its impact on those that enter the prison system and their families.

Tyrell -Ty-Forrester is 15 when he is given an 18 month term for robbery. He made a huge mistake. And, one that will bring huge consequences. Prison must be seen to be a punishment, a supposed deterrent, as opposed to a place designed to heal, teach and rehabilitate.

Among his fellow inmates, are some repeat offenders, and, we learn, several young people swept up in the net of ‘joint enterprise’ - some with decades-long confinement for the ‘crime’ of being in the same location when a violent crime occured. One of these young people is Dadir, Ty’s best friend on the inside, who made the error of nodding acknowledgement to a murderer at a crime scene in the presence of the police. Yes, he was nearby a terrible act; no, he was not involved. He will spend his youth in prison. The book makes the reader question any justification of this law and shows how certain demographics are disproportionately affected.

There are countless stories of trauma behind the people in this story and their behaviours. Just about every inmate’s bio features multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences. But they don’t count in prison. Or to a society that blames individuals for their behaviour.

In this book, the power of language is a central theme. We see the dangers of labelling & the development of self-fulfilling prophecy. From Ty’s English teacher admonishing: “you’ll end up in prison’ and describing a group of boys as a ‘gang’ and intending all of the connotations. To the language of the prison guards reinforcing the boys’ ascribed identities and self-worth. But then, we see the flip side: Ty finding his voice; using writing as self-expression, catharsis and protest.

The opening third of this book is so full of tension: it is 3 week countdown to Tyrell’s release day. Can he make it unscathed and without being implicated in any wrongdoing?
In this period, Tyrell has signed up for a poetry workshop. He instantly regrets this choice. He has a mistrust of language- the labels ‘problem’ ‘callous’ ‘heartless’; the alienation he felt at the elaborate, rhetorical, jargon-laden language of the courtroom; the alienation he feels from the systemic devaluing of non-standard speech; and the experience of his own words being misinterpreted and used against him in by the prosecution. We watch as Tyrell learns to reappropriate language and send it flying.

On the outside, the healing begins with the support of friends and family. Will Ty be able to rebuild his life after the further trauma of his time inside?

A powerful passionate story about Ty, the injustic of the system and the overarching power of our words, of poetry. A unflinching story with hope sewn through.

Every single book I’ve read by this author has been so moving. Danielle has such a way with words. This book was heartbreaking but also so uplifting. Danielle writes the stories that need to be heard. A book that will stay with you. Just amazing.

Oh wow. This was a hard read in so many ways. I raced through much of the second half with my heart in my mouth, so worried about what might be coming next for Ty.

Tyrell is in prison for armed robbery, just coming to the end of his 18 month sentence. He’s being careful not to mess up now the end is in sight. The chance to attend a poetry workshop introduces him to a whole new realm, so far removed from his bad experiences at school…

This is shocking and heart wrenching and terrifying. I (in my innocence) knew nothing about joint enterprise and how people can be jailed for something that is really not their fault.

I’m sure Danielle Jawando researched this carefully and that makes it all the more shocking.

I’m a school librarian and will definitely be buying this once it’s published. It’s powerful and moving and I’d like so many of my pupils to read it… but I’ll probably restrict it to my 14+ pupils due to the language used and the descriptions of self harm.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for an ARC.

'If My Words Had Wings' is a stunning, devastating novel about a Black British teenage boy's experiences during and after his incarceration in a young offenders prison. Tyrell was involved in an armed robbery and is nearing the end of his eighteen-month sentence. Danielle Jawando depicts the events that have led up to his conviction, particularly the failings of the education system that have sent him down to this path, and then his harrowing experiences while he is in prison, including physical violence, self-harm and attempted suicide. We also see the challenges he faces after his release as he attempts to re-enter society whilst dealing with the stigma of being an ex-prisoner and resisting the temptation to re-offend and breach his licence conditions.

This is a painful and harrowing read, and Jawando highlights the many forms of injustice within the criminal justice system and British society more widely which disproportionately affect people of colour. Tyrell is a deeply sympathetic character even though he is guilty of the crime of which he has been convicted (and expresses remorse for it), but we also learn about fellow inmates who have been unfairly sentenced under joint enterprise convictions, including Tyrell's Dadir who may spend the rest of his life behind bars on the flimsiest of pretexts. Jawando's depiction of life in prison is horrifying and she enables us to feel something of the constant dread Tyrell lives with. At the same time, there is some hope, particularly through Tyrell's discovery of poetry thanks to visiting performance poet Malik. By reading the work of other Black poets, Tyrell feels seen and understood for the first time, and this encourages him to find his own voice and express himself.

This is such an important book to share with British teenagers - I would recommend it for readers in Year 9 upwards because of some of the more upsetting content in the novel. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

THIS BOOK!! Danielle Jawando is an astonishing writer. Blown away by If My Words Had Wings, a powerful and hopeful story about prison, poetry, new beginnings and the sheer injustice of how the system views young Black boys.

I want to say the biggest most heartiest thank you to Danielle for trusting me with her baby and letting me be the first reviewer/blogger to read Wings 🪽 I am truly truly privileged and honoured 🥰💕

This book 💛 this book is so very aptly named. It made my heart soar 💛

Ty’s character is so relatable. Whilst those who know me know I have never been in prison myself, I found Ty so relatable in how he feels about his place in the world. Danielle has managed to capture how I think we have all felt at one point or another as people of colour. Unheard, that we don’t matter and that we are pre-judged by extremely unfair standards and, the majority of the time, without cause.

Danielle has this knack for writing characters so that they lift off the page. Almost as though they step out and sit beside you and you’re having a heart to heart with them.

I feel like this book really illustrates the hard truths of being a black person, or any person of colour, within the justice system. The fact it is set in Manchester in the areas surrounding where I live and where I pass through regularly, made it all the more hard hitting.

I welled up so many times through this book that I had to keep putting it to one side so I could get myself together to keep reading. Danielle really does like to pull your emotions right out of you!

The topics of mental health, self harm & suicide are spoken about throughout and are not shyed away from which is so important for the men in our communities to understand that it is not a weakness and that it is in fact a response to trauma.

I need to know more about Ty, Danielle. What he did next, more of his poetry and his progression.

Once again Danielle has tackled a hugely important topic that has a massive impact on our Black and POC communities. One that is being misconstrued as being a fantastic way to tackle crime when in fact it is, in a lot of instances, being used to racially profile individuals based on erroneous stereotypes.

If My Words Had Wings is such an important book for young people and should be in every High School Library if not on the curriculum! It has themes that are extremely relevant to the youth of today and is pitched at a level that they will be able to relate to and appreciate whilst gaining knowledge within the brevity of the story.

If My Words Had Wings is released on 9th May 2024 and I suggest you pre order it NOW!! 🪽

This was my first read by Danielle Jawando, and it definitely won't be the last because, wow, is this book impactful!

When 15 year old Tyrell gets caught up with the wrong crowd and finds himself involved in an armed robbery, he is convicted and sent to a juvenile prison. He soon learns that in order to survive, he can only trust himself. He can never relax and spends his time in constant flight or fight mode. Ty meets Dadir, who's serving a life sentence for joint enterprise in a murder he didn't commit. He merely nodded at an associate who then went on to kill. Tyrell and Dasir strike up a friendship and have each others backs. Despite the injustice and discrimination they both face, they help each other get through prison life the best way they can. Tyrell is never safe, though, not just from other prisoners but himself, too.
Now his release date is coming up, and he's determined to turn his life around. Inspired by Malik, a visiting poet, Tyrell finds the magic of words and finds solace in writing. Will he be able to resist his old lifestyle and friends, and can he really be successful?

Hard-hitting and powerful reading If My Words Had Wings reminded me why I love young adult fiction so much. To represent young people who are never talked about, who find themselves at the hands of the justice system that will stereotype, and discriminate against young black people, call them gang members, scrutinise their music choices and even wrongly convict them is something that should be applauded. Danielle gives these young people a voice. I haven't the lived experience of Tyrell and Dadir, but they were so relatable. I felt like I was right there with them. I wanted to reach into the pages and tell them it was all going to be okay.
I had never heard of joint enterprise before I read this book, but it's made me want to go and research it because it's absolutely barbaric.
I'm so glad Tyrell had a family to support him and friends like Elisha. I'm also so glad he found his voice. My heart breaks for Dadir he will definitely be a character that stays with me.
I can't recommend this book enough. Danielle's writing is raw and real, and I can't wait to read more by her. If My Words Had Wings is such a special book and even more so when you discover why it has that title. Just absolutely stunning.

My heart breaks, and my blood boils. This book follows Ty as he struggles to survive prison and life after release. However, as we quickly learn from the stories of those who have been incarcerated, it isn't as simple as keeping your head down and making good choices. In fact, the whole system seems to have been built for them to fail.

Exploring economic boundaries, the expectations of family and peers, mental health stigma, institutional racism, societal prejudice, and discrimination, Danielle Jawando shares a point of view that goes largely ignored or silenced. From the downright unjust joint enterprise law and absurd concept of foresight to the violence and trauma experienced within the prison and limitations on the future placed on those with criminal convictions, this story questions the lack of empathy, assistance, and legal equality in the UK.

While the beginning was hard to get into due to the straightforward style, I quickly became invested. Ty doesn't feel like he fits, doesn't know how to communicate his hurt, and is drowning in guilt, shame, and self blame - but despite all this he continues to tread water.

The book shows the importance of support structures as well as the confidence developing a passion can have on an individual. Poetry is Ty's lifeline, while music was Dadir's. However, we're also shown how easily things can unravel despite the boys' best efforts. I really wished for more of their stories as the ending does not offer a solid resolution, but the ending also felt fitting as this will be a lifelong battle...

If My Words Had Wings makes you want to scream and burn down the world until things are fair and right. It is a must read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'If My Words Had Wings' by Danielle Jawando.

'If My Words Had Wings' follows a convict called Ty who is close to getting out of jail and his story. He was young when he committed his crime and although it hasn't been too long, his story of everything changing without him just tugs at the heartstrings. I love the way poetry was displayed in this novel and how poetry was such an outlet for Ty's struggles with "normality"
I've never read a novel by Jawando before but her writing is absolutely gorgeous and heartfelt. Overall, a great read.

After serving 18 months for his involvement in a robbery in which he was caught up at age 15, Tyrell Forrester wants nothing more than to turn his life around after his release.

Unfortunately, that is easier than said than done, thanks to racial stereotypes and social attitudes towards young offenders. But Tyrell finds unexpected salvation from an unlikely source: the spoken word. This releases in him the creativity inspired by a poet who visited the place where he served his sentence.

Now the question is, whether that will give him the genuine freedom he needs to live a decent life as a free man after his incarceration...

This is an inspiring novel that does not flinch from the realities of being an under-age offender, and the potential implications that it can carry for a young black person for the remainder of their lives, as they attempt to move forward. A touching and important story.