This is a niche genre book - for readers who enjoy sci fi and fantasy with just a hint of realism. It's a graphic novel with elements of science fiction, fantasy, history and stream of consciousness writing. This is a book for a very special reader. It definitely won't appeal to everyone due to its unusual wordplay, but I can see this appealing to kids. I received this as an ARC book and I can't wait for it to join the shelves of my local library! Ebony Grace is such an adorable and fearless heroine.

It's helpful to understand why this is a multi-genre piece:

science fiction: at least half the book is told through Ebony Grace's eyes as if she was a Starfleet character aka Star Trek.

fantasy: this is partly due to the science fiction elements and the fact that Ebony Grace's life is merged with fantasy daydreams.

historical importance: the book takes place in Harlem, 1984 so there's discussions on race, diversity, cultural differences.

realistic fiction: the other half of the book is the story of a young child growing up in a city. Every day events take place such as Fourth of July parties and jump rope with friends.



The writing style is difficult to follow because of it being stream of consciousness, but it's the accurate portrayal of a kid babbling. Just because a character narrates in a confusing way doesn't mean that their thoughts aren't valid. I've read reviews here on Goodreads that suggest that Ebony Grace is on the autism spectrum. While this is never confirmed, it makes the most sense. No matter what, her creativity and unique vision make her a refreshing protagonist.



I love reading any books with diverse characters. [a:Ibi Zoboi|5241080|Ibi Zoboi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1458007096p2/5241080.jpg] is an author I need to watch out for! She's both fantastical and down to earth when it comes to her writing style. She doesn't sugarcoat Ebony Grace's harsh experiences. Instead, she brings us straight into the minds of young kids. She is giving kids a safe space to express how they're feeling. I can't believe that an adult had enough sensitivity to write this book.

When I was a kid, I attended a summer camp with a diverse group of kids. They belittled me, especially when it came to jumping rope. If I had a book like "My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich," I believe that I would have been able to understand my peers better. We knew next to nothing about each other and we allowed our differences to get in the way of a possible friendship. "My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich" can teach kids how to accept each other's differences and understand why everyone doesn't get along. The fight scene between Ebony Grace's father and uncle spoke to this. It addressed violence in Harlem and, through the eyes of a child, it was devastating to see her father taken away by police.