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profejmarie's review against another edition
5.0
I felt all the emotions with this book. Laughter, tears (more than once, for sure), frustration, anger, hope. Teodoro's narrative is beautiful and heartfelt. He made hard choices, REAL choices, and I was so proud of him for doing what he had to do at times, especially when I got so angry with his parents and his sister for putting undue responsibility and guilt on him (which I also tried to reconcile with cultural norms surrounding family responsibility). I loved his best friend, Caleb (as well as Caleb's parents), forgave his sister, and Manny - the PTSD arc and the power of family, sacrifice, and critical support was so well done.
jjandherbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I think the book is a little hard to get into at first, but it has great POC representation and deals with mental health topics really well! I think it’s a great book to recommend, since it’s relatable, inspiring, and educational in a sense.
katroseknibbs's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. However, this review deals with the published edition.
I did want to like this book. And I mostly did. It’s overall a heartwarming story of family. But there a few things I couldn’t get past. For one, if you find your sibling writing a suicide note, you. tell. your. parents. You call a hospital. You get them professional help. These siblings have a lot of respect for each other, but I can’t forgive that. Secondly, it is not the responsibility of a seventeen year old to be the guardian of his extremely traumatized older sibling. Nor is it the responsibility of the twenty year old sister. Manny needs a lot of help, as those who suffer from PTSD do, and forcing that responsibility on a child is not the way to help. Many dangerous things can and did happen. Please, if you or anyone you know is suffering and considering harming themselves or others, seek proffesional help.
I did want to like this book. And I mostly did. It’s overall a heartwarming story of family. But there a few things I couldn’t get past. For one, if you find your sibling writing a suicide note, you. tell. your. parents. You call a hospital. You get them professional help. These siblings have a lot of respect for each other, but I can’t forgive that. Secondly, it is not the responsibility of a seventeen year old to be the guardian of his extremely traumatized older sibling. Nor is it the responsibility of the twenty year old sister. Manny needs a lot of help, as those who suffer from PTSD do, and forcing that responsibility on a child is not the way to help. Many dangerous things can and did happen. Please, if you or anyone you know is suffering and considering harming themselves or others, seek proffesional help.
martinakraus's review against another edition
3.0
It wasn't bad, I just somehow expected more from it. I even think that I might give it a 2,5*, but that's irrelevant here on Goodreads anyways.
I had probably higher expectations from this book than I should have. I wanted a strong story about PTSD of someone who came back from war, but I didn't get that.. I got a weird kind of lovestory with some serious issues that should have been analyzed way more than they were and I think that it hurted the book alot..
If anyone has a recommendation for a book about this topic, that is better, hit me up, please!
I had probably higher expectations from this book than I should have. I wanted a strong story about PTSD of someone who came back from war, but I didn't get that.. I got a weird kind of lovestory with some serious issues that should have been analyzed way more than they were and I think that it hurted the book alot..
If anyone has a recommendation for a book about this topic, that is better, hit me up, please!
cameesreads's review
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by American Road Trip. I was intrigued by all the topics the book's description mentioned but I was curious as to how Flores-Scott was going to pull it all off in one YA book. He did a great job though tackling topics like PTSD, the housing crisis, and 2008's economic recession.
I went in thinking this one was an Own Voices novel, but on Flores-Scott's website he explains that he is white Latinx and not of Mexican heritage. Our main character, Teodoro, is Mexican-American and even though this isn't #ownvoices I believe Flores-Scott did a great job of writing an authentic novel.
Teodoro was a wonderful character, not only as a great representation of a Mexican-American teenager but as a young boy navigating stresses at home and stresses in school. I loved that Flores-Scott showed Teodoro struggling in school , but then deciding to do something about it and slowly making his way from C's to A's. It was done very realistically, T didn't just snap his fingers and get good grades, the novel showed the hard work and struggle he had to go to to earn those grades. Also, there were moments where the author let Teodoro cry and show emotions, instead of being a stereotypical character of a robotic and unfeeling teenage boy. T was tough in certain moments, but he was also very human and authentic.
From the family dynamics to the very real struggles many Americans faced, this was a deep novel that also somehow managed to feel welcoming and warm.
I went in thinking this one was an Own Voices novel, but on Flores-Scott's website he explains that he is white Latinx and not of Mexican heritage. Our main character, Teodoro, is Mexican-American and even though this isn't #ownvoices I believe Flores-Scott did a great job of writing an authentic novel.
Teodoro was a wonderful character, not only as a great representation of a Mexican-American teenager but as a young boy navigating stresses at home and stresses in school. I loved that Flores-Scott showed Teodoro struggling in school , but then deciding to do something about it and slowly making his way from C's to A's. It was done very realistically, T didn't just snap his fingers and get good grades, the novel showed the hard work and struggle he had to go to to earn those grades. Also, there were moments where the author let Teodoro cry and show emotions, instead of being a stereotypical character of a robotic and unfeeling teenage boy. T was tough in certain moments, but he was also very human and authentic.
From the family dynamics to the very real struggles many Americans faced, this was a deep novel that also somehow managed to feel welcoming and warm.
bookwormmichelle's review
5.0
The jacket description for this book is terrible. However, the BOOK is fabulous. I cried the whole last few chapters. LOVED this. This story deals with family, economic hardship, PTSD, falling in love, determination, and what it means to show up for someone. Beautiful, beautiful little book, and I hope it goes places.
annaesharon's review
5.0
Wow. There is so much good in this story. Coming of age in the midst of a family fighting for survival. Strong characters, beautiful relationships, an incredible summer full of hard work and music and growing and falling in love. This book was so much more than I was expecting. I would highly recommend.
“Okay... here’s the truth. Sometimes I feel like I’m a really bad actor playing the role of someone who’s good enough to succeed. What if I’m not good enough?”
“I think everyone who tries feels that way sometimes.”
“Okay... here’s the truth. Sometimes I feel like I’m a really bad actor playing the role of someone who’s good enough to succeed. What if I’m not good enough?”
“I think everyone who tries feels that way sometimes.”
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