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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Very excited to give this book to my future students.
Straddles that fine line between a fun book kids will pick up on their own, and an educational book assigned by teachers, considering the bonus family recipes and the introduction to the life and poetry of Jose Marti.
Many middle school students have asked me why so many books are about uncool guys - Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Timmy Failure, etc - and might unfairly lump this one in with the rest. Epic fail is more of a misnomer, considering the all-around happy ending.
Many middle school students have asked me why so many books are about uncool guys - Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Timmy Failure, etc - and might unfairly lump this one in with the rest. Epic fail is more of a misnomer, considering the all-around happy ending.
A book filled with humor, family, and a poignant message. I loved Arturo! He was adorable! The trials and tribulations he goes through of not only just growing up and having a crush, but also trying to save his family’s restaurant from a cartoonish villain made for an entertaining read. I also loved all the Spanish and bits about José Martí.
This book focuses on gentrification and a teen crush. It does a fine job of bringing a place and community to life. A good choice for younger readers.
I actually ended up liking this one more than I thought I would at first. I originally tried reading it as a book and ended up listening to the audiobook, which I think was helpful with the mixed-in Spanish because it flowed much more naturally versus slowing me down to sound things out.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Sweet and wholesome romance & great storylines all the way through. Messages about family, community, and the threat of gentrification.
I enjoyed this book. The antagonist feels a bit too much like a villain in a Scooby Doo episode, and it's a little strange that Arturo's father is barely mentioned in the book. However, I loved the story and think younger middle schoolers will find it engaging.
Arturo Zamora is not an epic fail. This is definitely one of the best juvenille books I have read in awhile, and so well written in general! Pablo Cartaya is coming to our library next week to do a writing workshop and I am so excited to talk to him about this book. It made me think about my family in Florida and all of our traditions, along with the history of my grandad and grandma. By the end I was crying in the fetal position because of how many feelings I had.
A touching middle grade story about family, food, poetry, community, first crushes, and the fight against gentrification. Loved the incorporation of poetry into the story, notably poems by Cuban revolutionary José Martí.