Ava Ashley’s Reviews > American Street > Status Update

I think that this book is serving as a window for me because it helps me see into the lives that other people around me could easily be living. When Fabiola goes to Kasim's house she realizes that "his house is bigger than Matant Jo's. His block is nicer too, with lots of big houses and even bigger driveways for the nicer cars" (Zoboi 279). I have never really thought of many people's homes like this.

I think that Fabiola is realizing how different life in America is compared to life in Haiti. She says that “here there isn’t even a slice of happiness big enough to fill up all these empty houses, and broken buildings…every joyous moment is swallowed up by…sadness” (Zoboi 247). Everyone imagines America to be this perfect, happy place but Fabiola realizes that is not the reality.

Fabiola has fallen into a distinct group with her cousins although she doesn't fully feel like she belongs. She says, "My mother is the one who will make my life complete here" (Zoboi 227). Fabiola imagined her life in America with her mother and until that really happens, she will never feel like she truly belongs. At the end of the day, she is different than her cousins and has different values.

When Q was at their house, Fabiola realizes, “My cousins. My cousins sold drugs. My cousins sold the drugs that killed the white girl. Madison” (Zoboi 205). The death of this girl is the one that the detective is investigating so she can get her mother back. I wonder if Fabiola will call her cousins out for this knowing she can get her mother back with this information.

I think that adversity impacts the way others see us because when someone knows what you have been through, it can change their opinion of you. I think this has happened to Fabiola a lot because when they hear that she is from Haiti, it changes the way they treat her. When Dray saw her at his house he goes, "Ayo, what are you doing her Fabulous?" (Zoboi 153). Its as if she isn't normal and cant be in certain places.