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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
CW:
This is a great conversation starter about gentrification and the right of communities to self-determine their way forward, but told in a such a way that middle school students could easily access the story. It definitely straddles the line between MG and YA as well, which I'm excited about for my classroom.
I loved: authentic, awkward 13-year-old voice, infusion of Spanish language & Cuban culture into the storyline, the pure family-focused energy & the FOOD.
I didn't love: the overall pacing felt off in places, and I wanted more of the connection between José Martí and abuelo's storylines with the present day narrative.
Rating Breakdown
Storytelling: 6
Characterization: 8
Artistry: 6
Lasting Impact: 8
Emotional Connection: 8
Teachability: +1
Representation: +2
find more of my conversations about books on Instagram!
Spoiler
death of a loved oneThis is a great conversation starter about gentrification and the right of communities to self-determine their way forward, but told in a such a way that middle school students could easily access the story. It definitely straddles the line between MG and YA as well, which I'm excited about for my classroom.
I loved: authentic, awkward 13-year-old voice, infusion of Spanish language & Cuban culture into the storyline, the pure family-focused energy & the FOOD.
I didn't love: the overall pacing felt off in places, and I wanted more of the connection between José Martí and abuelo's storylines with the present day narrative.
Rating Breakdown
Storytelling: 6
Characterization: 8
Artistry: 6
Lasting Impact: 8
Emotional Connection: 8
Teachability: +1
Representation: +2
find more of my conversations about books on Instagram!
Good story, excellent writing. Family, loss, immigrants, sweetness, poetry, friends. A lot of good stuff here. Spanish mixed in, fun to brush up on the basics, but also well explained for anyone new to the language.
I expect this book to get nominated for awards, it's amazing!!!!! Love it, plan to read it again.
Kind of a quiet book, but a wonderful look at a strong, extended family fighting for what they believe in
Solid middle grade novel, written well for kids. Handles grief, change, and gentrification.
A 2019-2020 Missouri Truman Readers Award preliminary nominee (grades 6-8).
Arturo Zamora is from tight-knit Cuban family. When his family's restaurant is threatened, Arturo and his cousins try to fight back to save the business.
This was a sweet, funny, and touching middle-grade novel with Cuban flair. I loved it.
Arturo Zamora is from tight-knit Cuban family. When his family's restaurant is threatened, Arturo and his cousins try to fight back to save the business.
This was a sweet, funny, and touching middle-grade novel with Cuban flair. I loved it.
There's a sweet spot of middle grade: dorky protagonist, awesome supporting characters, a conflict that is big but manageable, writing that toes the line between easy, heartfelt, and cheesy, and an overall story that leaves you saying, "The kids are alright."
Arturo has a large (and I mean large) loving family that all gathers at his mother's restaurant, passed down from his Abuela. Things begin to get dicey when a childhood friend shows up and a new businessman threatens to tear down their restaurant and build a resort in its place.
Obviously gentrification is a major theme and is broken down in a way that is understandable for the average middle grade reader. But Arturo also learns about finding his voice, exploring about his family and cultural heritage (through learning about a revolutionary Cuban leader and poet), and loving his community. This book is a love letter to immigrant families who make their mark on America and invest in their towns, becoming an integral piece of the community.
The only thing that was missing was the ability for me to hand this book to my mother and say, "You have to read this one. You're going to love it."
Arturo has a large (and I mean large) loving family that all gathers at his mother's restaurant, passed down from his Abuela. Things begin to get dicey when a childhood friend shows up and a new businessman threatens to tear down their restaurant and build a resort in its place.
Obviously gentrification is a major theme and is broken down in a way that is understandable for the average middle grade reader. But Arturo also learns about finding his voice, exploring about his family and cultural heritage (through learning about a revolutionary Cuban leader and poet), and loving his community. This book is a love letter to immigrant families who make their mark on America and invest in their towns, becoming an integral piece of the community.
The only thing that was missing was the ability for me to hand this book to my mother and say, "You have to read this one. You're going to love it."
This is a fun realistic fiction story that will resonate with anyone who has a big family whether they are related or not. The story includes cooking, commercial competition, and budding romance. I would recommend this book to students in 5th grade and up.