An excellent book to use as a starting point for anyone looking to be anti-racist. The author is frank about the reality that Black Americans live daily and adds an important voice to the discussion. While some readers may feel discomfort at certain points of the book, it's necessary to push through. And those moments can raise important questions about the work many still have left to do internally to work on their biases. This is definitely a read that many need to add to their list so they can better understand this important perspective.

Very important book. Compelling read. Shows the gap between races. This book will also show that discrimination still exists in America. The interviews and POV from various people were very eye-opening. A must read. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.

As a Puerto Rican, it has been great to witness how young people on my island have taken the reins in terms of opening local businesses, reviving agriculture, and even the activism that led to our misogynistic (former) governor being ousted last year. This book offered me a glimpse of another group of courageous youngsters who are also taking matters into their own hands and being the change they want to see in their world.

An mainstream look at the promise of what America was supposed to be during and after the Obama years for Black youth and the issues that are important to them.

A beautiful nonfiction read on the American Dream. It is empowering and wonderful. Highly recommend!

IT WAS ALL A DREAM by Reniqua Allen offers a unique take on the American Dream by including interviews and profiles of Black millennials (born between 1980 and 2000), many of whom are "coping with the realities of its limitations." Allen conducted 75 interviews and notes: "it made me sad because all too many Black millennials think that the American Dream wasn't and isn't for them.” But don't other young people also feel that way? What about the transgender soldiers who recently saw their military careers come to an end due to Trump's policies? Or what about Muslim Americans and international students who have been subject to proposed travel restrictions between the US and their home countries? What about those cast adrift in the midst of the opioid crisis or facing other substance abuse? Allen says, "I decided to focus on Black millennials because our experiences are different, the stakes higher, and the challenges unique. Yet so many don't understand our plight." As important as the stories that Allen includes are, I wish that she had widened her focus (current subtitle: a new generation confronts the broken promise to Black America) and looked at the broken promise and missed opportunities for millennials in general (43% are non-white, as she notes). It is likely that approach would have garnered a larger audience (and perhaps more understanding and empathy?) – as of now, only 5 of the 23 libraries in our generally progressive suburban public library system have even ordered this title. In addition to the interviews, numerous footnotes and references are included. Allen is an accomplished writer and film producer with many more stories to tell.

"It Was All a Dream" by Reniqua Allen takes a sharp look at race in the United States and asks all of the important questions. Allen examines why many black young adults have been failed by the notion of the American dream and what can be done to confront a failed system of equality.

This book was so unique and powerful in so many ways. Allen gives us the stories of young Black Americans(Millennials) who are creating, working, fighting, loving, and surviving. From civil rights movement, the economy, political and racial rifts of the post-Obama era, their stories are both heartbreaking and hopeful. This is a must read.