I Am Alfonso Jones

This book is a must read. I recommend this to everyone black or other ethnicity. It is a heartfelt story of racism against blacks. Black lives do matter, we are human beings that God created in his image.

Bought for grandson. Likes the commiks. He claims to enjoy the stories and lessons.

At the end of a long day of visits, lunch conversations, and a lecture presentation, I was thanking John Jennings and Damian Duffy for being so awesome discussing their recently released graphic novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s KINDRED. I congratulated them again on their week old release of I AM ALFONSO JONES. We had talked about all the new YA books that were being published and how many held the same theme. And right before departing, John said it was unfortunate that the big selling topic is the killing of little Black boys . . .The constant shootings and beatings of Black people across the United States has caused a state of numbness in people that are watching or reading the news. We are living in a culture where the old saying, “Who you gonna believe me or your lying eyes?” holds true every time a not guilty verdict is announced even though videos show police officers beating, strangling, or even shooting a Black person over and over and over again. The eyes are misinterpreted in every courtroom across the country when officers are put on trial for these deaths.I AM ALFONSO JONES is a hip-hop blues production beautifully choreographed by Tony Medina, John Jennings, Stacey Robinson and Damian Duffy. This graphic novel rhythmically moves through the life and hereafter of fifteen year old, Alfonso Jones of Harlem. This is a living testimony of the many wandering Black souls that have been killed by police violence without any justice and definitely no peace. From Eleanor Bumpurs to a Black homeless veteran, these spirits ride throughout New York on a different underground railway, one where they are invisible, forgotten, and sadly not freed because of juries denying their innocence.I AM ALFONSO JONES begins with a soaring bullet aimed at a fifteen year old who was just holding a clothes hanger and a lifetime of hopes and dreams. The graphics precisely detail how the artists’ danced perfectly with Medina’s words throughout the story. They literally were all on the same page / panel to make sure the reader does not miss one drop of the pain, shock, anger, and betrayal that is seen through classmates, parents, and community. This book is spiritual, historical, and poignant. It is timely and should be read by EVERYONE. The Black Lives Matter Movement is real. The featured bullet has been real too many times. The painful message within I AM ALFONSO JONES is sadly real. And unfortunately the non-existing ending is also real. I AM Alfonso Jones.

Not so much a storyline as it is a retelling of the history and examples of systemic racism in US society...I appreciated the info but I feel it kinda hits you over the head with the themes of Black Lives Matter--but maybe that is what we need/our children need to learn..

I was fortunate enough to see I Am Alfonso Jones illustrators John Jennings and Stacey Robinson speak on a panel at SXSWEDU. The panel was about the ways that art can help confront inequality by shining a harsh light on it and creating a narrative that resonates with audiences. They spoke about their work on I Am Alfonso Jones, and I picked the book up immediately because I appreciated their philosophy so deeply.What a heartbreaking and beautiful work. I am especially partial to the illustrations, but of course the visual aspect and the narrative aspect of a graphic novel are inextricably tied. The story takes on a fascinating and innovative side of the matter, adopting a perspective that only a work of fiction could help the reader consider and explore. Although this one is clearly designed to introduce younger readers to the realities and dangers of growing up as a person of culture in a system that refuses to reckon with its bigotry and bias, its weight works for older readers, as well. This is an important book. If you're a fan of Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give, you will appreciate the new angles that I Am Alfonso Jones offers.

This book is for every young person touched by the loss of a friend in their prime. It's rich in visual content and surpassed in written word. When you're represented, the validation feeds your soul. It's like a life fertilizer in a paperback book-thank you trees. I think the pivotal moment of seeing life before and after you die, will humble and change the perspective of every type of audience reading this graphic novel. I don't want to give away the story line...but the prolific history of black and brown leaders connecting to 21st century youngsters is priceless. There's poetry, history, artistry, authenticity and empowerment in this engaging read. I challenge a grandparent to read this with their grandchild. Connect the generations. Our elderly are living ancestors that connect the past with the future. What I loved most about this book is that ancestors have an influential role in reality and in the spiritual world...they speak to the living. This graphic novel is a window into history and a reflection of now-like roots regenerated!

Heartbreakingly beautiful and disturbingly relevant. It presents a narrative that is completely foreign to much of America and all too real to the rest. I Am Alfonso Jones should be required reading at every school in the United States to discuss the question of what America is. And what we want America to be.

I bought this book to add to my son’s reading collection. He thought it was a good book but it’s more like a comic book due to the illustrations

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as did my 12 year old. Much needed in schools and libraries. The story is relatable and relevant to so many young people of colour.