Pushing Hope: An Illustrated Memoir of Survival | Review

Pushing Hope: an Illustrated Story of Survival

Story by Raymond Santana

Illustrated by Keith Henry Brown

Astra Books for Young Readers, published 10/28/25

Age rating: 14 & up

The story of The Exonerated Five (formerly known as The Central Park Five) is a well-known tale of injustice: Five Black and Latino teenagers were falsely accused of a horrific crime they didn’t commit. Pushing Hope is Raymond Santana’s story, a story of fear, survival, and salvation told through gritty art courtesy of Henry Keith Brown. Everyone should have this book in their collection.

Like the crime itself, Santana’s story is not for the faint of heart, and Brown’s illustration matches that intensity. The interrogation that Santana goes through was harrowing to read. Even more intense was the bold art and lettering that conveys each emotion everyone involved experienced. From the interrogation to his time in prison, Santana doesn’t hold back as he discusses the tough transition even after his release. Using art to help him during his incarceration, Santana uses that skill as his escape from reality which leads to the creation of his fashion line, Park Madison NYC. 

Overall, this is a story of finding hope and salvation during the harshest of times. I recently hosted a TeenLIVE author talk with Raymond Santana and Henry Keith Brown. At the event, Santana told the audience that even though he was exonerated and the real perpetrator was caught, there are still those who think, despite the overwhelming evidence, that he and the other Exonerated Five are guilty. However, Santana’s story and quest for justice is not over. Through Pushing Hope, we see resilience and courage to tell an inspiring story in the face of racism and injustice.

This is a story not to pass over and will hopefully initiate more conversations on jumping to conclusions based on race and fighting for justice.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews, Young Adult