Scan barcode
notinjersey's review against another edition
4.0
One of the over arching YA themes is the angst that teenagers feel, when each teenager thinks her problems are worse than anyone else’s. Nevaeh is no different, as she tries to discover where she fits in as multi-racial. On the one hand, her cousins think she is too white for cornrows in her hair and on the other, her former friend turned bully uses racist means to attack her. At first, it seems that Nevaeh is more interested in fitting into the African American side of herself and is much more resistant to learning about the Jewish side. I was happy that she did come around to embracing that side of herself too. The Jewish representation in this book was okay, although at one point Nevaeh translates a prayer with way more words than are actually in the prayer in Hebrew! In an interesting attempt at portraying Nevaeh’s mom’s past, Nevaeh reads her mom’s journal, which is not actually written like a journal and contains full on dialogue written out. Nevaeh is a writer and random poetry appears throughout the book. I felt like a lot of the writing was lyrical, but not all of the book was written in the same way. If it had all been so beautifully written, I may have bumped it up to 5 stars. This book definitely contains the diversity I was looking for, with a lot about privilege and race in America today. I will be passing this one on to my daughter.
jesseonyoutube's review against another edition
5.0
“We all make assumptions about each other. It doesn’t matter if you’re family or a
stranger on the subway; we do it everywhere, even here, in our safe spaces, where we’re
supposed to love each other up and down.”
With straight brown hair and pale skin, no one realizes 16 year old Nevaeh is half black.
She’s not popular at her white NY prep school and with her black fam, she sticks out like a sore
thumb. So where does she fit in? When her dad (white, Jewish, and filthy rich) is caught
cheating on her mom, Nevaeh moves in with her family in the city with her grandpa, aunt, and
two very opinionated teen twin cousins - causing Nevaeh to confront her biracial heritage - and
her privilege - for the first time.
Color Me In is a truly phenomenal debut, following a richly complex character who
struggles to figure out who she is. An ode to the multitudes girls of color contain within themselves, I was deeply impressed by how many themes operated inside Color Me In - impressed at Diaz's ability to balance those themes and to fully explore each. Some of my favorite elements were:
1. Loving a parent with deteriorating mental health
2. Balancing multiple ethnic and religious identities
3. Coming of age
4. First love
5. Bullying
The writing was lyrical, but easily digestible with hilarious dialogue which alleviated tension brought in by heavier discussion topics. I enjoyed moments where Nevaeh has to confront her privilege and
how to use it so much. She is a regular kid - she makes mistakes, but it was elating to watch her learn from them.
Diaz gives us a refreshingly real story about growing up, especially in a New York
setting. I found myself relating so much to Nevaeh as someone who is both biracial and a New
Yorker. It pulled at my heart to watch her learn how to love, how to be a good friend, how to
be who she is, and to learn about how the world sees her. For "Color Me In" I only have two points of criticism:
1. Didn’t like the way fat characters were described
2. All of the female antagonistic characters embodied either the "airhead" or the “she devil” stereotype . The attitude that female villains should be either hyper sexual or unintelligent is outdated and should be retired from our literature.
Other than those things, I dig this story and will be 1. Buying it and 2. Reading it again and
again.
4.5/5 stars
stranger on the subway; we do it everywhere, even here, in our safe spaces, where we’re
supposed to love each other up and down.”
With straight brown hair and pale skin, no one realizes 16 year old Nevaeh is half black.
She’s not popular at her white NY prep school and with her black fam, she sticks out like a sore
thumb. So where does she fit in? When her dad (white, Jewish, and filthy rich) is caught
cheating on her mom, Nevaeh moves in with her family in the city with her grandpa, aunt, and
two very opinionated teen twin cousins - causing Nevaeh to confront her biracial heritage - and
her privilege - for the first time.
Color Me In is a truly phenomenal debut, following a richly complex character who
struggles to figure out who she is. An ode to the multitudes girls of color contain within themselves, I was deeply impressed by how many themes operated inside Color Me In - impressed at Diaz's ability to balance those themes and to fully explore each. Some of my favorite elements were:
1. Loving a parent with deteriorating mental health
2. Balancing multiple ethnic and religious identities
3. Coming of age
4. First love
5. Bullying
The writing was lyrical, but easily digestible with hilarious dialogue which alleviated tension brought in by heavier discussion topics. I enjoyed moments where Nevaeh has to confront her privilege and
how to use it so much. She is a regular kid - she makes mistakes, but it was elating to watch her learn from them.
Diaz gives us a refreshingly real story about growing up, especially in a New York
setting. I found myself relating so much to Nevaeh as someone who is both biracial and a New
Yorker. It pulled at my heart to watch her learn how to love, how to be a good friend, how to
be who she is, and to learn about how the world sees her. For "Color Me In" I only have two points of criticism:
1. Didn’t like the way fat characters were described
2. All of the female antagonistic characters embodied either the "airhead" or the “she devil” stereotype . The attitude that female villains should be either hyper sexual or unintelligent is outdated and should be retired from our literature.
Other than those things, I dig this story and will be 1. Buying it and 2. Reading it again and
again.
4.5/5 stars
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love COLOR ME IN since it deals with themes that interest me—ethnic identity, racism, finding your voice, etc. Unfortunately, the book is overwritten and overly long, which is problematic since the story has very little plot to it. The story tries to cover too much territory which gives it a frantic, unfocused feel. And while the novel does make some excellent points about the themes I mentioned earlier, so many of its messages come across as angry and heavy-handed. Throw in cliché characters; a whiny, self-centered heroine; and a loosey-goosey story line that veers here, there, and everywhere: and yeah ... this debut has some issues.
I do like that the author is writing about her own experience as a multiracial woman, which makes Naveah's experiences and emotions feel authentic. I also like that the book made me think about issues of race, identity, etc. I do think Diaz has a lot of potential as an author. COLOR ME IN just needed some editing to make it more focused, subtle, and succinct. As is, I'd give it about a C+.
I do like that the author is writing about her own experience as a multiracial woman, which makes Naveah's experiences and emotions feel authentic. I also like that the book made me think about issues of race, identity, etc. I do think Diaz has a lot of potential as an author. COLOR ME IN just needed some editing to make it more focused, subtle, and succinct. As is, I'd give it about a C+.
z_brarian's review against another edition
4.0
Took a little bit to get into and then the story flowed off the page. It was a really good book, taking a close look at a girl facing the issues of being biracial and coming to terms with accepting both sides of her, the black and the Jewish sides and figuring out how both fit into her life. The side first love story didn’t detract from the story. It was very eye opening for me as a reader and definitely for the main character. Once she opened her eyes, she learned that she wasn’t the only one struggling with her identity. Definitely one I would recommend.
kaylareadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
*Before I jump in, I want to thank my good friends The Book Bratz for sending me an ARC they had. I am so thankful to them for sending this my way. This has not impacted my thoughts and review of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Neveah and her mom have moved to Harlem, moving in with her moms family when her parents split up. Neveah was excited to get to know her family, but she didn’t realize there would be as many differences at first that there was.
This is a story of discovering who you are, speaking out for yourself and your family and so much more.
This was one of those books that I loved more than anything but also really wanted to punch some characters in the face. (Her dad and Abby).
I also loved some characters more than anything when reading. Her Aunt Anita is a fierce woman who reminded me of my own aunts. She is smart, protective and wants nothing but the best for her family. She wants her children and her niece to stay safe, do well in school and work hard.
Neveah’s voice is fresh and strong. She is learning more and more about her two cultures, and she connects to both of them differently. I connected to Neveah, understanding her frustration with being pushed to do something she had no say in when It came to religion and also the way she connected to different things. This story of discovery is so important.
Neveah and I are both Jewish, and while our Judaisim doesn’t look the same that doesn’t make either of us “more” Jewish than the other which was an important lesson I learnt while reading this book.
I loved Neveah’s family. Her cousins, her aunt and uncle, her grandfather and her mom were some of my favorite characters. They all love each and really rally together in a time of need.
I can not rave about this book enough. This book is extremely important and I need everyone to read It.
Neveah and her mom have moved to Harlem, moving in with her moms family when her parents split up. Neveah was excited to get to know her family, but she didn’t realize there would be as many differences at first that there was.
This is a story of discovering who you are, speaking out for yourself and your family and so much more.
This was one of those books that I loved more than anything but also really wanted to punch some characters in the face. (Her dad and Abby).
I also loved some characters more than anything when reading. Her Aunt Anita is a fierce woman who reminded me of my own aunts. She is smart, protective and wants nothing but the best for her family. She wants her children and her niece to stay safe, do well in school and work hard.
Neveah’s voice is fresh and strong. She is learning more and more about her two cultures, and she connects to both of them differently. I connected to Neveah, understanding her frustration with being pushed to do something she had no say in when It came to religion and also the way she connected to different things. This story of discovery is so important.
Neveah and I are both Jewish, and while our Judaisim doesn’t look the same that doesn’t make either of us “more” Jewish than the other which was an important lesson I learnt while reading this book.
I loved Neveah’s family. Her cousins, her aunt and uncle, her grandfather and her mom were some of my favorite characters. They all love each and really rally together in a time of need.
I can not rave about this book enough. This book is extremely important and I need everyone to read It.
allisonw92's review against another edition
3.0
This is a heartfelt novel that today's teens and young adults should definitely read, and probably some adults, too! Díaz broaches some difficult topics in a deep and honest way, including white privilege, religion, ethnic identity, and multiracial identity. But most importantly, this story is about finding and accepting your true self, and allowing yourself to BE. This is a message that everyone needs to hear. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading Díaz's future works!
meesha_mo's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @ 35%
While it may be an interesting concept, it's poorly written. The characters are one dimensional and not well developed. They make wild decisions that are out of line with who they were presented to be. So. Many. Stereotypes. Also, all the trauma is glossed over. Just fainted at school for hours and your dad can't be assed to come get you? Glossed over. Your rabbi just blackmailed you? Seen as an impressive chess move. Wtf is this nonsense?
While it may be an interesting concept, it's poorly written. The characters are one dimensional and not well developed. They make wild decisions that are out of line with who they were presented to be. So. Many. Stereotypes. Also, all the trauma is glossed over. Just fainted at school for hours and your dad can't be assed to come get you? Glossed over. Your rabbi just blackmailed you? Seen as an impressive chess move. Wtf is this nonsense?
sarah_grey's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I had a few issues with some of the things that didn't seem very realistic, but the message itself and the commentary on racism and blended families was excellent.
srosnik's review against another edition
3.0
This was a just ok for me. It was a good coming of age type story of a girl trying to find herself when she belonged to 2 cultures but felt like she fit in with neither. I enjoyed reading from her point of view and seeing her struggle and ultimately embrace her 2 cultures. However, it lacked a really good attention grabber for me. It wasn’t something I just couldn’t put down and it took me a while to read because i ultimately knew she was going to learn to embrace herself and there was no other story line to keep me reading and wanted to know what happens next. I’d give it 3.5 stars.
zbrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Took a little bit to get into and then the story flowed off the page. It was a really good book, taking a close look at a girl facing the issues of being biracial and coming to terms with accepting both sides of her, the black and the Jewish sides and figuring out how both fit into her life. The side first love story didn’t detract from the story. It was very eye opening for me as a reader and definitely for the main character. Once she opened her eyes, she learned that she wasn’t the only one struggling with her identity. Definitely one I would recommend.