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ifthebook's review
3.0
An interesting look on the teen homosexual community in Miami, particularly among Hispanics. Throughout the book, I definitely felt out of my league, but in a good way. The bits of Spanish thrown in there were very real. Some of the slang used rang a bit false to me, but I can't really comment on that, not being a part of that society at all. Laura's journey was also a very interesting and believable one. The place she ended up was right for her, though it wasn't necessarily the place I thought she would end up. A very nice read. I definitely recommend it.
nissoubsd's review
4.0
I fell in love with the characters, and I enjoyed the way the author really made us comfortable with the story, like we were a part of it.
What at first seemed like a typical lesbian story turned out to be an interesting lesson on how to accept yourself and what really makes you happy, and make your own choices, even if that means disappointing other people.
I would recommend it.
What at first seemed like a typical lesbian story turned out to be an interesting lesson on how to accept yourself and what really makes you happy, and make your own choices, even if that means disappointing other people.
I would recommend it.
flyingsails's review against another edition
3.0
A very rambling plot that ultimately leads to a good ending, it just takes a long time. I how there were people with all types of sexual orientation, but the endless cheek-kissing and rambling descriptions of how wonderful people who accepted Laura were and how hard it was for her when people hated her just because she was gay got old. I know the author was trying to get the point across, but it could have been so much shorter!
yazimariel's review against another edition
1.0
Someone needs to teach this author the phrase "Show, don't tell." Just because it's a YA it does not mean it should be badly written. I'm sad, because I looked forward to this - a Latino lesbian YA, excellent! But not this book. Never this book. It was a painful read.
legs_mcgee's review against another edition
1.0
I just can't get past the writing style– the dialogue seems so contrived and contrary to how teens actually speak.
ksparks's review
5.0
This is a really excellent young adult coming out story about a Cuban-American teenager who is kicked out of the house for being a lesbian and her struggle for self-acceptance. Luckily the character, Laura, has really good friends so it's not as harsh a story as it could have been. It's a vivid story full of interesting characters and a great window into Cuban culture.
iguana_mama's review against another edition
5.0
Cross-posted at Outlaw Reviews and at Shelf Inflicted
Laura is a junior in a Catholic high school looking forward to summer and to celebrating her two-year anniversary with her girlfriend, Marlena. Instead, she is humiliated when her teacher reads a love letter from Marlena out loud in front of all her friends, resulting in her expulsion from school and in the loss of her friends. Her mother has thrown Laura out of the house, promising that she can return only when she reveals the name of her secret lover and changes her ways.
Laura moves in with her best friend, Soli, and her mom. Her life takes a turn for the worse when Marlena's family arranges for her to be wed to a man in Puerto Rico.
Down to the Bone is a warm, colorful, funny, and heartbreaking story with a great cast of characters that provides a glimpse into the rich, diverse, and fascinating culture of the Cuban community in Miami.
This is a great teen book, but also a lot of fun for adults too. There's a glossary in the back of Cuban slang and commonly used words and phrases. This is a wonderful story that’s all about love, discovering oneself, finding acceptance, family bonds, friendships, food, laughter, and valuing differences.
Laura is a junior in a Catholic high school looking forward to summer and to celebrating her two-year anniversary with her girlfriend, Marlena. Instead, she is humiliated when her teacher reads a love letter from Marlena out loud in front of all her friends, resulting in her expulsion from school and in the loss of her friends. Her mother has thrown Laura out of the house, promising that she can return only when she reveals the name of her secret lover and changes her ways.
Laura moves in with her best friend, Soli, and her mom. Her life takes a turn for the worse when Marlena's family arranges for her to be wed to a man in Puerto Rico.
Down to the Bone is a warm, colorful, funny, and heartbreaking story with a great cast of characters that provides a glimpse into the rich, diverse, and fascinating culture of the Cuban community in Miami.
This is a great teen book, but also a lot of fun for adults too. There's a glossary in the back of Cuban slang and commonly used words and phrases. This is a wonderful story that’s all about love, discovering oneself, finding acceptance, family bonds, friendships, food, laughter, and valuing differences.
kellymce's review against another edition
3.0
This is a welcome addition to queer YA fiction: the main character is a Cubana in Miami coming to terms with her sexuality. There's a great diversity in this book, from butch gringas to genderqueer bois to straight folks, both accepting and not. The honest depiction of deciding to be out to a homophobic parent will be powerful for many teens. Similarly, the message of finding family is well demonstrated through Laura's friendship with Soli and Viva.
However, this is clearly a first book. Some of the dialogue was pretty clunky, and there were some high dramz that, while titillating, was hard to believe. Still, we need more books like this, and I look forward to seeing Dole's further writings.
However, this is clearly a first book. Some of the dialogue was pretty clunky, and there were some high dramz that, while titillating, was hard to believe. Still, we need more books like this, and I look forward to seeing Dole's further writings.
satyridae's review
3.0
I'm deeply conflicted about this book. While I loved the exuberance and sheer playfulness of the writing, it wasn't particularly tight writing- there was much meandering and several odd dangling plot elements. There is a lot going on in this book, some of which rings achingly, miserably true. The friendship between the main characters is lovely. It must be insanely hard to grow up gay and Cuban-American, and I think this book is a very welcome addition to the small body of literature for teens like Laura. The plot, while wildly discursive, was certainly engrossing enough. Recommended with reservations.
heatherreadsbooks's review
2.0
Last project-related read, by the looks of it and it was the one I'm most glad to finish. The story itself is fine, but the writing style really grated, like really.
It's interesting in that it deals with teens from families whose cultures are generally unfriendly towards homosexuality, and anything outside the grow up, get married, have children mentality. Shai is excited to celebrate her two year anniversary with Marlena, but finds her private texts read to her class due to not paying attention.
What unfolds is their secret relationship being torn apart. Shai refuses to tell her mother exactly who it is, and finds herself thrown out of school and home. The other main pitfall of the plot is that her homelessness is barely touched on, and it kind of solves itself without any sense of hardship. Any. At. All.
Definitely different to read a book that deals with these topics, and the cultural slant on it, but the execution was a bit, eugh.
It's interesting in that it deals with teens from families whose cultures are generally unfriendly towards homosexuality, and anything outside the grow up, get married, have children mentality. Shai is excited to celebrate her two year anniversary with Marlena, but finds her private texts read to her class due to not paying attention.
What unfolds is their secret relationship being torn apart. Shai refuses to tell her mother exactly who it is, and finds herself thrown out of school and home. The other main pitfall of the plot is that her homelessness is barely touched on, and it kind of solves itself without any sense of hardship. Any. At. All.
Definitely different to read a book that deals with these topics, and the cultural slant on it, but the execution was a bit, eugh.