"Stories of a Harlem Resident" by Javier Sarmiento Jr. is a powerful and authentic collection that captures the essence of life in Harlem through a series of vivid, heartfelt narratives. Sarmiento masterfully brings to life the voices, struggles, and triumphs of the community, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the evolving landscape of the neighborhood. The stories are rich with cultural depth, offering a window into the everyday experiences of Harlem’s residents while addressing larger societal issues. With sharp prose and an undeniable sense of place, "Stories of a Harlem Resident" is a compelling and insightful read that celebrates the strength and vibrancy of a historic community.

This was a nice book of poetry. I enjoyed reading this. I'm normally not a poetry reader, but this was enjoyable.

This was a small collection of poems depicting the daily life and struggles of someone living in Harlem. It was very heartfelt and eye opening to read. I'm not typically a fan of poetry but this was a surprisingly quick and good read. Highly recommend!

There wasn’t much in this and I didn’t particularly like the style of writing.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this.

Stories of a Harlem Resident is an inspiring collection of poems that vividly captures the author's childhood journey in Harlem, showcasing the resilience and determination it took to overcome obstacles and achieve success. The emotional depth and motivational tone of the poetry make it a powerful read for anyone seeking inspiration. I enjoyed this book because it offers a heartfelt glimpse into the struggles and triumphs that shape our paths, providing both encouragement and a sense of connection with the author's experiences.

🎉🌟 If you’re looking for a dose of inspiration, Stories of a Harlem Resident is where it’s at! This poetry collection takes you on a raw and emotional journey through the author's childhood in Harlem, showing how they turned obstacles into triumphs. Each poem is packed with heart and motivation that’ll leave you feeling uplifted and ready to tackle your own challenges. Don’t miss out on this gem—it’s a must-read for anyone needing a little extra inspiration in their life! 💪📚

"I'm just a kid from Harlem.
I overcame the odds and more,
Inspiring others is the goal,
Nothing less, nothing more."

To the outside world, Harlem has always had a notorious reputation. In Stories of a Harlem Resident, the poet shows the different worlds that Harlem encapsulates.

This collection of poems may be short, but they are powerful such as A Voice from East Harlem and cleverly written like the impressive abecedarian poem, Rising Star.

This is a very brief poetry book, but there are some pretty good poems by a promising writer.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC

I admit that I am a tad bit biased because Javier was a student of mine. I love his observations of life and his optimism. I also love his word play. In the poem Visionary, I love the short staccato rhythm in the poem created by the alliteration. I can see that Javier has a great deal more inside him and I look forward to seeing his next book.