Born a Crime
Trevor Noah tells the story of growing up mixed-race in South Africa during and after apartheid, where his very existence was a criminal act under the law.
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What you might want to know about Born a Crime
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
Trevor Noah's childhood in apartheid-era South Africa, born to a Black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father at a time when their relationship itself was a crime, raised mostly by his sharp, devout mom.
Yes. Born a Crime is Trevor Noah's 2016 memoir about growing up mixed-race in apartheid South Africa, where his birth was technically illegal under racial-purity laws. He became host of The Daily Show two years before publishing the memoir.
Yes. A young readers' edition of Born a Crime, called It's Trevor Noah, was released in 2019 for ages 12 and up. The original adult edition includes some language and mature situations but is suitable for high school students and is widely taught.
Born a Crime was written by Trevor Noah, published in 2016 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers.
Born a Crime is 304 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, Born a Crime takes most readers 5 to 7 hours to finish.
Born a Crime is a standalone novel by Trevor Noah, not part of a series.
Born a Crime is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.