Call Me American (Adapted for Young Adults) by Abdi Nor Iftin

5 out of 5 🌟 Life as we don't know it

'Call Me American' made me astounded since page one. It a memoir of Abdi Nor Iftin, a Somalian man who immigrated from his home country to the USA. The story starts with Abdi's parents who were nomads living in Somalian wilderness herding camels, hunting and, occasionally, fighting with lions and hyenas. His family has settled in the city of Mogadishu where their hard-enough life was brutally interrupted by the war in 1993 and - long story short - anarchy that comes after. Abdi has been always fascinated with American culture and taught himself English watching Hollywood movies. His lifelong dream was to move to the United States and this memoir tells the story of his long and dangerous journey through war and bureaucracy.

This book left me speechless and while I'm gathering my words to write this review, I know I won't be able to do it right. 'Call Me American' tells about a life that's an exact opposite of anything I understand. It gathers all the stories I've ever encountered about the horrible events happening in Africa and puts them together as a background to real people's life.

I remember watching the movie 'Black Hawk Down' with my girlfriends because Orlando Bloom was playing there and everyone I knew had a crush on him... And here's the testimony of that very accident saw from an opposite perspective of someone my age... I can't even... 🤯*mind blown*

All I can write is that memoir is beautifully written, it's fascinating and I read it in just one day. Non-stop. Not to mention my giant book hangover after. The title is packed with cruel images and violence but without detailed description (hence YA adaptation), just enough to show the historical reality without inducing nightmares.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and feelings are my own.

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