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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book was a fun and moving read with some structural issues. It has great characters and a lot of heart but I had questions about some of the character motivations and didn't like the way the story was framed.
Arturo Zamora, 13, is looking forward to a summer in Canal Grove (near Miami) working in his Cuban abuela's restaurant and hanging out with his friends. The restaurant, La Cocina de la Isla, is the nexus of the Zamora extended family as well as a popular community gathering place. Abuela is the person who holds it all together, but due to her failing health, Arturo's mother has taken over as the chef and manager. Two people appear in town to change the trajectory of Arturo's summer: his mother's goddaughter, Carmen, whose mother died during the past year, and Wilfrido Pipo. While the Zamoras are excited to expand the restaurant into the empty lot next door, Pipo, a developer, swoops in with alternative plans to build a high-rise with a gym, movie theater, and other amenities. As Pipo wins over the community with grand promises, gift bags, a free-food festival, and schmoozing with the local authorities, the Zamoras fight his gentrification ideas even while coping with the alarming decline in abuela's health.
This book represents family, but most of all unity, we realize through this book that the people we care of is the most important thing in the world and that we need to be with them before something else pulls us appart
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Arturo's voice and world are strong and fearless but nuanced and authentic.
A reluctant young activist versus evil real estate developers story in the same vein as Hiaasen's Hoot, not to mention how both are set in Florida. Arturo's Cuban-American heritage is a vivid addition to the story and makes up for some of the clunkier digressions and tertiary characters being given one or two traits and some relationships being moved into the distant background to make way for the big plot. The slimy real estate developer is one monster mask away from a Scooby Doo villain, but I'm not knocking that as being unrealistic because it's unfortunately a plausible character given how some real gentrifying realtors behave. So while it may be a little contrived in places, especially the ending, it's worth reading and I'd love to read more of the author's world.
Dale Cartaya, dale!
Dale Cartaya, dale!
I'm a sucker for Hispanic culture and big families. Arturo is loyal to his friends, his family, and his family business. When the family restaurant is threatened by a real-estate developer, the fight is on to save what he's known forever.
Though the attempt to save the place his Abuelo and Abuela made into their own, Arturo finds more than friendship with a girl, follows in legacy culinary footsteps, and grows into his own person.
My middle school students would love this. Recommend for grades 5-8.
Though the attempt to save the place his Abuelo and Abuela made into their own, Arturo finds more than friendship with a girl, follows in legacy culinary footsteps, and grows into his own person.
My middle school students would love this. Recommend for grades 5-8.
Cute coming-of-age story about a kid of Cuban heritage trying to preserve his abuela's neighborhoodly restaurant from the clutches of the evil real estate developer.
I listened to this audiobook --read by the author who, along with Elizabeth Acevedo, is now one of my favorite author/narrators-- right after watching Pixar's Turning Red, it made me appreciate the aspects that kids face venturing into teenagehood, this time from the male perspective. And if I may continue with the movie references, the whole Zamoras living in the same building gives a very Encanto-like vibe.
I am particularly fond of the inclusión of José Martí's poetry, especially how approachable they make it in such a way that will not turn kids off.
I listened to this audiobook --read by the author who, along with Elizabeth Acevedo, is now one of my favorite author/narrators-- right after watching Pixar's Turning Red, it made me appreciate the aspects that kids face venturing into teenagehood, this time from the male perspective. And if I may continue with the movie references, the whole Zamoras living in the same building gives a very Encanto-like vibe.
I am particularly fond of the inclusión of José Martí's poetry, especially how approachable they make it in such a way that will not turn kids off.
Arturo Zamora lives in Miami in a close-knit community where most of his extended family also resides. His abuela owns a restaurant, La Cocina de la Isla, known for nourishing the community with authentic Latino dishes. The restaurant is flourishing until a developer threatens to tear down the restaurant and replace the whole block with more modernized buildings and restaurants. On top of possibly losing the family restaurant, Arturo struggles to keep his cool around, Carmen, a family friend that he has a crush on.
This was a good-humored book, great for middle school kids. It wasn’t too babyish, and Arturo’s narration of the story makes it funny and real. I love a good narrator, and I think Cartaya did a great job. Super quick read!
This was a good-humored book, great for middle school kids. It wasn’t too babyish, and Arturo’s narration of the story makes it funny and real. I love a good narrator, and I think Cartaya did a great job. Super quick read!