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embe94's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book made me cry happy tears in front of my students L O L
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
sreddous's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a subtle and mature look into how domestic violence can uproot a family. There's some dark and difficult family stuff in here -- but, it's family stuff that real-life tweens have to face sometimes. This book and its plot and characters handle these difficult topics with nuance, slow pacing, and a lot of grace.
My favorite part of this book is watching how Alba mulls over considering her own coping skills. Things like forgiveness and understanding are beautiful but complicated, and it's satisfying and interesting to watch Alba sort through all her complicated feelings. In this regard, I personally really liked the slow pacing.
The little romance is cute. The friendships with the other kids as well as the inter-generational friendships are all wholesome and well-developed. It's lovely to see how Alba learns valuable lessons and coping skills and finds love and patience from all sorts of diverse people.
For younger readers, I would add that there are some jokes that I'd maybe describe as PG-13, they're sort of potty jokes where the word "penis" is actually said -- I'd say this book should be "upper middle grade" and is almost YA because it's not unrealistic that tweens/middle-schoolers make dick jokes and such sometimes. But still, it might be a biiiiit much for elementary-school-ages. It didn't really bother me, but I can see why some people might think the dick jokes are a bit much for the advertised age group.
(Content warning: domestic violence)
My favorite part of this book is watching how Alba mulls over considering her own coping skills. Things like forgiveness and understanding are beautiful but complicated, and it's satisfying and interesting to watch Alba sort through all her complicated feelings. In this regard, I personally really liked the slow pacing.
The little romance is cute. The friendships with the other kids as well as the inter-generational friendships are all wholesome and well-developed. It's lovely to see how Alba learns valuable lessons and coping skills and finds love and patience from all sorts of diverse people.
For younger readers, I would add that there are some jokes that I'd maybe describe as PG-13, they're sort of potty jokes where the word "penis" is actually said -- I'd say this book should be "upper middle grade" and is almost YA because it's not unrealistic that tweens/middle-schoolers make dick jokes and such sometimes. But still, it might be a biiiiit much for elementary-school-ages. It didn't really bother me, but I can see why some people might think the dick jokes are a bit much for the advertised age group.
(Content warning: domestic violence)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Cursing
naomiysl's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A very sweet coming of age story in which our young protagonist acts actually young, in ways I find refreshing. I love how specific this book is. Not just vaguely "diverse" but actually reflective of a specific identity. I also really love how all the adults really are looking out for the kiddo in this book. She's got a village at her back, and learning that fact is the journey. Also the queer inclusion and acceptance is cozy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
library_kb's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I really enjoyed this middle school novel which deals with some really tough topics in an approachable, and ultimately hopeful way. Alba gets sent to live with her grandma in Spain to get away from her abusive dad. She is dealing with anger at her mother, for staying in the situation and not getting out sooner, and dealing with some PTSD. As a way of dealing with her situation, she meets a bread baker and learns how to make bread, forming friends and relationships in the process. While the ending did feel a little wrapped up too neatly for me, I did think that the hopeful and positive ending was a good balance to many of the difficult things that are portrayed in this book and was appropriate for the age category. I appreciated the portrayal of Alba, who liked wearing clothes bought in the boys section and keeping her hair short, and how she dealt with people who made assumptions about her based on that. It also had great portrayal of Spanish and Filipino languages and cultures. Highly recommend! (Also, this made me want to travel to Spain SO MUCH--the setting descriptions were 100%)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
clarabooksit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Racism
buddinbookworm's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
imstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief, Bullying, Xenophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
skeinsinthestacks's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
emileereadsbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you Netgalley and Mac Kids Books for the gifted book!
This book is about identity, community, family, and the power of food in culture. Set in Barcelona, you get a taste of not just the Spanish culture but the Filipino culture in Barcelona as well. Plus the language of the book is interlaced with Spanish and Tagalong phrases so you feel authentically planted in the story with Alba the main character. (there is a glossary at the end for all these words/phrases). This one will have you wanting to stuff your face with bread and you consider the roles of family and community in your life.
This book is about identity, community, family, and the power of food in culture. Set in Barcelona, you get a taste of not just the Spanish culture but the Filipino culture in Barcelona as well. Plus the language of the book is interlaced with Spanish and Tagalong phrases so you feel authentically planted in the story with Alba the main character. (there is a glossary at the end for all these words/phrases). This one will have you wanting to stuff your face with bread and you consider the roles of family and community in your life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
onthesamepage's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When Alba's mother sends her to Barcelona to live with her grandmother, all Alba can feel is abandoned. There seems to be very little hope in the world for her, and even though her grandmother turns out to be nice, she still feels lost. Until she walks into their neighborhood bakery and finds herself swept up in the scent of fresh bread and discovering her passion for baking.
This was a very interesting book that dealt with some pretty heavy topics, primarily the abuse Alba's mom suffers at the hands of her dad and what that has meant for Alba. I think the way the author dealt with this was really good. Alba grows throughout the story, and whereas she at first has the tendency to run away from anything she perceives as conflict, she learns to trust herself and the people around her. It tackles how to deal with grief and disappointments, and is ultimately a story about hope and family.
I loved the setting; I've been to Barcelona once, and it's a great city to wander around in. I could totally imagine myself walking alongside Alba when she was exploring. And of course, all the baking was fantastic. I also really liked the way Spanish, Catalan and Tagalog were used, and that a glossary was included at the end that explains what all the phrases mean.
This was a very interesting book that dealt with some pretty heavy topics, primarily the abuse Alba's mom suffers at the hands of her dad and what that has meant for Alba. I think the way the author dealt with this was really good. Alba grows throughout the story, and whereas she at first has the tendency to run away from anything she perceives as conflict, she learns to trust herself and the people around her. It tackles how to deal with grief and disappointments, and is ultimately a story about hope and family.
I loved the setting; I've been to Barcelona once, and it's a great city to wander around in. I could totally imagine myself walking alongside Alba when she was exploring. And of course, all the baking was fantastic. I also really liked the way Spanish, Catalan and Tagalog were used, and that a glossary was included at the end that explains what all the phrases mean.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse