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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
Audiobook review. A sweet book about family and community. YA and a quick read (probably young YA). The narrator was great and made me love Arturo.
I wasn’t sure about this one, at first. But this family drew me in and mead me a part of their lives. So much so, that when I put the book down, I found myself wondering about them and hoping it would go in their favor.
3.75?? arturo was a great character I like his character, his personality, how he’s a family type person. the restaurant was awesome, the family was great it was cozy, made you feel like you were either in the restaurant or part of the family. the whole does he like his cousin wasn’t a bad thing either, keep in mind that actually wasn’t his cousin just like in hispanic or latino families they call people that aren’t actually their family, family you know what I mean so it’s OK for them to get together because they’re not actually cousins but it all depends on the family so I just want to say it was a great book I love the family and the restaurant. keeping up hope whenever something bad would happen like with the pipo guy and when the grandma died I found that part really sad but it also brought a lotta good things for the family even though they lost a very important person anyways good book recommend it
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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:
Yes
As expected, it wasn't much of an Epic Fail -- I have to admit that was one of my small disappointments in the book, that the Epic Fail was really almost nonexistent. In fact, the part that Arturo seemed to think was an epic fail was a total anticlimax.
However, it was a great book, and I get that the naming is meant to pull kids in. Wonderful centering on the importance of family and embracing family traditions -- I particularly love the cousins who aren't really cousins (chosen family is important!) Beautiful portrayal of a close relationship between Arturo and his Abuela. Cool José Martí tie-in (yay poetry and activism). Excellent message of activism and holding onto hope, even when you feel like big changes are inevitable. Hooray for food celebrations, and latinx culture and sections of dialogue in Spanish that aren't necessarily translated.
Set in Miami. There are a couple of chapters that are suddenly set in play-dialogue, which is a little unexpected, but does help move the pacing along. The first one was confusing, because I wasn't sure if it was meant to be a real scene or a dream sequence. There are bits in verse, in letters, and in tweet conversations, too -- nice format changes, keep readers on their toes. Very boy-crush romance focused, be warned (if you don't like romance in your book at all). Main characters seem like they are high twelves/low thirteens, so solidly middle grade.
Another small thing that confused me is that there's a persistent rosebush theme, and they are always referred to as floribunda bushes -- is this a cultural thing? a Miami thing? It took me a while to figure out that they were talking about rose bushes at all. There's also a weird moment when Carmen brings a floribunda to the restaurant and Arturo focuses on one white rose, but something about the writing makes it sound like there is one white rose on a bush that is otherwise not white roses, which would be incredibly weird, and probably I am overthinking this. Sorry, gardening nerd.
However, it was a great book, and I get that the naming is meant to pull kids in. Wonderful centering on the importance of family and embracing family traditions -- I particularly love the cousins who aren't really cousins (chosen family is important!) Beautiful portrayal of a close relationship between Arturo and his Abuela. Cool José Martí tie-in (yay poetry and activism). Excellent message of activism and holding onto hope, even when you feel like big changes are inevitable. Hooray for food celebrations, and latinx culture and sections of dialogue in Spanish that aren't necessarily translated.
Set in Miami. There are a couple of chapters that are suddenly set in play-dialogue, which is a little unexpected, but does help move the pacing along. The first one was confusing, because I wasn't sure if it was meant to be a real scene or a dream sequence. There are bits in verse, in letters, and in tweet conversations, too -- nice format changes, keep readers on their toes. Very boy-crush romance focused, be warned (if you don't like romance in your book at all). Main characters seem like they are high twelves/low thirteens, so solidly middle grade.
Another small thing that confused me is that there's a persistent rosebush theme, and they are always referred to as floribunda bushes -- is this a cultural thing? a Miami thing? It took me a while to figure out that they were talking about rose bushes at all. There's also a weird moment when Carmen brings a floribunda to the restaurant and Arturo focuses on one white rose, but something about the writing makes it sound like there is one white rose on a bush that is otherwise not white roses, which would be incredibly weird, and probably I am overthinking this. Sorry, gardening nerd.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting
If you enjoy realistic fiction that deals with family, friends, community, and fighting for what you believe in - you should read The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora next. Arturo is a typical middle school student. He's happy about summer break and working in his family's restaurant to earn some spending money, while also dreading the weeks that his two best friends will be out of town. But things don't stay typical for long. For one thing, his mother's goddaughter Carmen comes into town. Carmen and her father are visiting for the summer, and they are both trying to recover from the loss of Carmen's mother. She is an intelligent and beautiful girl, so it is no surprise that Arturo develops a crush on her. Dealing with a first crush is enough of a challenge for one summer, but there is also his grandmother's failing health. His relationship with his Abuela is close, and she also gives him a box of letters from his Abuelo that capture his attention and inspire him to try new things. He draws upon the advice of his grandfather to have the courage to pursue the girl of his dreams, and to stand up to an unscrupulous land developer who threatens his family's restaurant with his plans for their neighborhood.
Filled with themes like the loss of a loved one, finding ways to preserve memories and traditions, dealing with attraction to a crush, and protecting the community from unwelcome changes, this is a story that has plenty of food for thought. There is also plenty of humor; things like his friend Bren trying to imitate his favorite rapper, his aunt Tuti's hysterical outbursts, and his disappointment at being named "junior lunchtime dishwasher" when he has hoped for a more glamorous job, all add the kind of laughs that occur in everyday life. The inclusion of Spanish phrases, descriptions of the foods served in the restaurant, and references to the Cuban poet Jose Marti immerse readers in the culture of Arturo's family and community, as well as giving a little background about the situation in Cuba that prompted his grandparents to come to America.
Middle grade readers and teachers will have a wonderful time following along as Arturo retells some of the most interesting weeks of his life (so far). As intriguing as a summer with Grandma Dowdell in A Year Down Yonder, I highly recommend it.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Filled with themes like the loss of a loved one, finding ways to preserve memories and traditions, dealing with attraction to a crush, and protecting the community from unwelcome changes, this is a story that has plenty of food for thought. There is also plenty of humor; things like his friend Bren trying to imitate his favorite rapper, his aunt Tuti's hysterical outbursts, and his disappointment at being named "junior lunchtime dishwasher" when he has hoped for a more glamorous job, all add the kind of laughs that occur in everyday life. The inclusion of Spanish phrases, descriptions of the foods served in the restaurant, and references to the Cuban poet Jose Marti immerse readers in the culture of Arturo's family and community, as well as giving a little background about the situation in Cuba that prompted his grandparents to come to America.
Middle grade readers and teachers will have a wonderful time following along as Arturo retells some of the most interesting weeks of his life (so far). As intriguing as a summer with Grandma Dowdell in A Year Down Yonder, I highly recommend it.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Just an absolute delight. Read it in 2 sittings. Arturo is the 13 year old hero we all need. Will definitely be sharing this one with my students in the fall!