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shannonsnextchapter's review against another edition
4.0
A unique approach to middle grade suspense, Danette Vigilante’s Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil is warm and authentic yet frightening and unexpected. As Tia wonders how to stay safe in the three days that follow a murder of which she is the only witness, she must face big questions about honesty, trust, family, and more.
Danette Vigilante paints a clear, believable picture of Tia’s city home and her family life. Until now, Tia’s life has been gentle, surrounded by people who love her and no arguments bigger than her dad’s disbelief in her grandmother’s botanica finds. This warmth makes the murder outside Tia’s bedroom window all the more powerful as a plot point. Suddenly, nothing is as it seems, and Tia’s everyday routines take on new meanings. Seemingly innocuous events are now laced with threat, and Tia turns to the botanica for alternative remedies she would never have relied upon before.
Tia’s character is a valuable one in the middle grade market. Firstly, she lives with asthma, and while her condition is relevant to her story, it doesn’t define the whole narrative; we need this rep! Secondly, Tia undergoes a lot of personal growth throughout the course of Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil. She learns who she is and who she wants to be, and she discovers the politics of truth, honesty, fear, and family. Tia’s character arc is an important part of this book, which is refreshing in the suspense genre, which often favours plot-driven narratives.
Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil isn’t violent or gory because it doesn’t need to be. It relies on Danette’s clever writing style to portray the looming threat of an unknown killer and the internal debate of a murder’s young witness. Keep an eye out for a plot twist at the story’s end!
If you’re looking for a clever MG suspense novel, consider adding Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil to your TBR!
Thank you to the wonderful team at Jollyfish Press for providing me with this eARC!
Danette Vigilante paints a clear, believable picture of Tia’s city home and her family life. Until now, Tia’s life has been gentle, surrounded by people who love her and no arguments bigger than her dad’s disbelief in her grandmother’s botanica finds. This warmth makes the murder outside Tia’s bedroom window all the more powerful as a plot point. Suddenly, nothing is as it seems, and Tia’s everyday routines take on new meanings. Seemingly innocuous events are now laced with threat, and Tia turns to the botanica for alternative remedies she would never have relied upon before.
Tia’s character is a valuable one in the middle grade market. Firstly, she lives with asthma, and while her condition is relevant to her story, it doesn’t define the whole narrative; we need this rep! Secondly, Tia undergoes a lot of personal growth throughout the course of Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil. She learns who she is and who she wants to be, and she discovers the politics of truth, honesty, fear, and family. Tia’s character arc is an important part of this book, which is refreshing in the suspense genre, which often favours plot-driven narratives.
Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil isn’t violent or gory because it doesn’t need to be. It relies on Danette’s clever writing style to portray the looming threat of an unknown killer and the internal debate of a murder’s young witness. Keep an eye out for a plot twist at the story’s end!
If you’re looking for a clever MG suspense novel, consider adding Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil to your TBR!
Thank you to the wonderful team at Jollyfish Press for providing me with this eARC!
lorialdenholuta's review against another edition
4.0
Tia is a thirteen-year-old Latino girl growing up in a close-knit family in Brooklyn. Her best friend lives close by, and so does her eccentric Gram, who she adores. Gram visits every day, and more often than not brings some odd potion, charm or statue from the local botanical store. Does Tia believe in the supernatural, too? She believes in her grandmother, so maybe there really is protection in colorful necklaces, bath oils, candles and statues.
It's a happy place to growing up - until late one night while Tia's looking for her asthma inhaler, she glances out her bedroom window and sees something that changes everything. And she doesn't dare tell anyone about it!
I remember being thirteen. I had a couple of dark secrets of my own, and I recall the burden of carrying them. I empathized with Tia and her secret, which she keeps for a very good reason—to protect those she loves. But what chance does a young girl stand against a full grown man who's committed murder... and knows he's been seen?
There's a strong lesson that threads its way through every page of this book. By emphasizing how frightening it can be to keep a secret, and what a relief it can be to let it go, readers may follow Tia's example when they're confronted with upsetting situations in their own lives.
As an adult, I found the story to be interesting enough to keep me page-turning to find out how everything would turn out for Tia. I also found it a little heavy-handed and melodramatic, as her agony goes on and on. But this book wasn't written for me. It was written for thirteen-year-olds who have to grapple daily with a grown-up world, and might have to carry some of the burden of our world inside of them. I hope the message is clear and helpful to those young readers.
My thanks to author Danette Vigilante, North Star Editions, Jolly Fish Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
It's a happy place to growing up - until late one night while Tia's looking for her asthma inhaler, she glances out her bedroom window and sees something that changes everything. And she doesn't dare tell anyone about it!
I remember being thirteen. I had a couple of dark secrets of my own, and I recall the burden of carrying them. I empathized with Tia and her secret, which she keeps for a very good reason—to protect those she loves. But what chance does a young girl stand against a full grown man who's committed murder... and knows he's been seen?
There's a strong lesson that threads its way through every page of this book. By emphasizing how frightening it can be to keep a secret, and what a relief it can be to let it go, readers may follow Tia's example when they're confronted with upsetting situations in their own lives.
As an adult, I found the story to be interesting enough to keep me page-turning to find out how everything would turn out for Tia. I also found it a little heavy-handed and melodramatic, as her agony goes on and on. But this book wasn't written for me. It was written for thirteen-year-olds who have to grapple daily with a grown-up world, and might have to carry some of the burden of our world inside of them. I hope the message is clear and helpful to those young readers.
My thanks to author Danette Vigilante, North Star Editions, Jolly Fish Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
3.0
* I got this book for review*
I thought this was fun quick pace read. I think this is also a great bridge book between middle grade and YA. I also did like the mystery element that was fun and engaging. I struggled a little bit to feel connected to the character. I really loved the the culture and background elements. I also found this to be quick read. It thought this mystery was had to figure it out and would be def read more by this author in the future.
I thought this was fun quick pace read. I think this is also a great bridge book between middle grade and YA. I also did like the mystery element that was fun and engaging. I struggled a little bit to feel connected to the character. I really loved the the culture and background elements. I also found this to be quick read. It thought this mystery was had to figure it out and would be def read more by this author in the future.
kmspedden's review against another edition
5.0
*I received an eARC of this novel from NetGalley and Jolly Fish Press in exchange for an honest review*
If there’s one thing I didn’t expect from a Middle Grade book it was to be completely thrown for a loop when it comes to who the bad guy is. I mean it’s a book for young readers I should be able to pick out who it is right? Yeah wrong. I was totally taken by surprise with that ending and I read the entire book in less than three hours because I couldn’t put it down. The book is a MG Suspense and it’s so good but written in the perfect way that it’s not graphic or violent it’s just scary knowing that there’s a faceless killer that Tia is terrified of because they know she saw them outside that night,. The entire book takes place over three days but it could have been a whole summer with how well it was written and how invested you become in the characters. It was an all around great book that totally has a twist you don’t see coming.
If there’s one thing I didn’t expect from a Middle Grade book it was to be completely thrown for a loop when it comes to who the bad guy is. I mean it’s a book for young readers I should be able to pick out who it is right? Yeah wrong. I was totally taken by surprise with that ending and I read the entire book in less than three hours because I couldn’t put it down. The book is a MG Suspense and it’s so good but written in the perfect way that it’s not graphic or violent it’s just scary knowing that there’s a faceless killer that Tia is terrified of because they know she saw them outside that night,. The entire book takes place over three days but it could have been a whole summer with how well it was written and how invested you become in the characters. It was an all around great book that totally has a twist you don’t see coming.
dramalitandtech's review against another edition
4.0
Tia witnesses a murder as she looked out of her window during the throes of an asthma attack. (Not a spoiler, this happens in the first chapter.) She keeps silent over fears that the murderer would return for her if she did not. Throughout the novel, Tia--usually accompanied by her best friend, Julius--begins to feel the murderer is following her, leaving her messages, sending her texts, and finally leaving a small figurine to frighten her into keeping silence. Throughout the novel, Tia is supported by her mom and dad, her grandmother, and several other neighborhood adults and "friends" from school.
There were parts of the book that I wanted author, Danette Vigilante, to explore more deeply. There were characters and bits of the plot introduced that seemed tangential, but tuck those parts of the novel away. They pop back up, and it doesn't detract from the main storyline.
I was really surprised by this little novel. As a middle school teacher, I tend to read for older middle grades and young adults, and I think this book would be suited for mature 4th graders through 6th graders. It could even be the right book for a 7th grader that is reluctant to read. It would appeal to any middle grades student that likes thrillers, murder-mysteries. or books with a strong family and friend support system. I really liked the Botanica aspects and loved that Tia's family background was Puerto Rican.
There were parts of the book that I wanted author, Danette Vigilante, to explore more deeply. There were characters and bits of the plot introduced that seemed tangential, but tuck those parts of the novel away. They pop back up, and it doesn't detract from the main storyline.
I was really surprised by this little novel. As a middle school teacher, I tend to read for older middle grades and young adults, and I think this book would be suited for mature 4th graders through 6th graders. It could even be the right book for a 7th grader that is reluctant to read. It would appeal to any middle grades student that likes thrillers, murder-mysteries. or books with a strong family and friend support system. I really liked the Botanica aspects and loved that Tia's family background was Puerto Rican.
alli_the_bookaholic13's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Jolly Fish Press for sending me an ARC via netgalley for an honest review
4/5 stars
This was a really good read! It’s short and pretty fast-paced, and I think younger readers will really enjoy it.
The story follows Tia who is excited to go away to camp, but when her asthma wakes her up in the middle of the night her whole world changes in seconds. Tia decides not to go to camp, and she’s suddenly keeping secrets from her family and feeling guilty. The reason? Tia witnessed a murder, and the murderer saw her through her bedroom window and warned her to stay quiet. Tia’s afraid of what might happen to her family and friends if she says anything, and so she doesn’t.
I thought the author did an incredible job of describing Tia’s mental state throughout. Tia was struggling with guilt, fear, feeling selfish, and worry for her family. In desperation, she turns to the local botanica for protection. Her Gram is a believer in the power of the botanica, but Tia’s dad doesn’t like it. Though we only visit the setting once, the botanica, and what it represents, are major themes in the novel. I like how Tia was eventually able to reconcile her feelings over family and the botanica.
I really appreciated the lessons that Tia learned in the book. I felt like they were made obvious without feeling condescending for the character or the reader. Tia’s struggle over whether or not to tell the truth about what she saw felt real and relatable. I think the author did a great job of creating an atmosphere in the book that helped to play into Tia’s fears and feelings.
Overall this was a really good book!
4/5 stars
This was a really good read! It’s short and pretty fast-paced, and I think younger readers will really enjoy it.
The story follows Tia who is excited to go away to camp, but when her asthma wakes her up in the middle of the night her whole world changes in seconds. Tia decides not to go to camp, and she’s suddenly keeping secrets from her family and feeling guilty. The reason? Tia witnessed a murder, and the murderer saw her through her bedroom window and warned her to stay quiet. Tia’s afraid of what might happen to her family and friends if she says anything, and so she doesn’t.
I thought the author did an incredible job of describing Tia’s mental state throughout. Tia was struggling with guilt, fear, feeling selfish, and worry for her family. In desperation, she turns to the local botanica for protection. Her Gram is a believer in the power of the botanica, but Tia’s dad doesn’t like it. Though we only visit the setting once, the botanica, and what it represents, are major themes in the novel. I like how Tia was eventually able to reconcile her feelings over family and the botanica.
I really appreciated the lessons that Tia learned in the book. I felt like they were made obvious without feeling condescending for the character or the reader. Tia’s struggle over whether or not to tell the truth about what she saw felt real and relatable. I think the author did a great job of creating an atmosphere in the book that helped to play into Tia’s fears and feelings.
Overall this was a really good book!
biancarosesmith's review against another edition
4.0
At first glance this book is about a young girl who saw too much (a murder to be precise). At the core of this middle grade book though is a lot of heart. It’s about the bonds we share with family and friends. Throw in a bit of magic, suspense, a surprise twist at the end and you have a great story.
Immediately I was drawn in by the sweet friendship Tia Lugo shares with her gran who is also her best friend. I have always been close to my gran so could really relate. Their relationship felt authentic, warm and relatable. It had me reminiscing and a lot of nostalgia came up for me.
There are a lot of feel good moments and little nuggets of wisdom - “maybe sometimes people needed to feel connected to something bigger and stronger than themselves.. but the truth is you can’t buy magic or strength. Those things are inside all of us.” Tia goes through a lot of self development throughout the novel and learns about herself along the way. She is wonderful role model for pre teens because she is brave and wise but not perfect.
There’s a hint of romance in here but it’s completely age appropriate and quite sweet. Tia’s friendships were also lovely too.
Overall a really sweet feel good book which I would have no hesitation recommending to pre-teens.
Thank you so much Netgalley and the publisher Jolly Fish Press for giving me an eARC in exchange for review.
Immediately I was drawn in by the sweet friendship Tia Lugo shares with her gran who is also her best friend. I have always been close to my gran so could really relate. Their relationship felt authentic, warm and relatable. It had me reminiscing and a lot of nostalgia came up for me.
There are a lot of feel good moments and little nuggets of wisdom - “maybe sometimes people needed to feel connected to something bigger and stronger than themselves.. but the truth is you can’t buy magic or strength. Those things are inside all of us.” Tia goes through a lot of self development throughout the novel and learns about herself along the way. She is wonderful role model for pre teens because she is brave and wise but not perfect.
There’s a hint of romance in here but it’s completely age appropriate and quite sweet. Tia’s friendships were also lovely too.
Overall a really sweet feel good book which I would have no hesitation recommending to pre-teens.
Thank you so much Netgalley and the publisher Jolly Fish Press for giving me an eARC in exchange for review.
elles_shelves's review against another edition
4.0
Tia Lugo is a 13 year old girl enjoying her summer vacation in New York City. On the evening before she is to leave for summer camp, she witnesses a brutal crime from her bedroom window. Unfortunately, the criminal sees that Tia witnesses the crime and he looks at her and holds a finger up to his lips. Tia is too frightened to call the police or tell anyone what she witnessed. Will Tia tell what happened or will the criminal make sure she stays silent?
This was a quick read that I feel will be enjoyed by the target audience. It was fun and should be good for reluctant readers. The book is also full of tidbits about Puerto Rican culture and gives information about botanicas, which are spiritual stores. I liked how these were sprinkled throughout the book. Overall, this book was a compelling mystery book that middle grade readers will enjoy!
This was a quick read that I feel will be enjoyed by the target audience. It was fun and should be good for reluctant readers. The book is also full of tidbits about Puerto Rican culture and gives information about botanicas, which are spiritual stores. I liked how these were sprinkled throughout the book. Overall, this book was a compelling mystery book that middle grade readers will enjoy!
bookdragon217's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
"You don't have to believe to be protected. I believe enough for all of us."
Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil by Danette Vigilante was such a joy to read for #PRHeritageMonthTour. It was dripping with Puerto Rican adobo, sazon and sofrito. The representation hit home for me in every way. I wish this book existed when I was in middle grade. Tia's character and story was so relatable to me as a Nuyorican Brooklynite.
The aspects that really hit home for me were:
🇵🇷 the culture clash across generations
🇵🇷 the misunderstanding and intolerance of ancestral ways
🇵🇷 the strong love of family
🇵🇷 the power of abuelita's love
🇵🇷 the ways girls are treated differently once they hit puberty
🇵🇷 the way brown kids have to grow up faster than they need to because of certain environments
🇵🇷 the innocence of first loves
🇵🇷 how real life can become horror
🇵🇷 how secrets create trauma
🇵🇷 the importance of safe spaces for kids in NYC neighborhoods
🇵🇷 the strength of tradition and culture
I loved that the atmospheric writing really brought this story to life. I was SCARED for real the entire time. The abuelita moments softened the mood throughout. I am absolutely in love with this one forever and I highly recommend you pick this one up and share with your friends and family. If you're looking for a scary, Brooklyn story with lots of boricua spice this one is for you.
Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil by Danette Vigilante was such a joy to read for #PRHeritageMonthTour. It was dripping with Puerto Rican adobo, sazon and sofrito. The representation hit home for me in every way. I wish this book existed when I was in middle grade. Tia's character and story was so relatable to me as a Nuyorican Brooklynite.
The aspects that really hit home for me were:
🇵🇷 the culture clash across generations
🇵🇷 the misunderstanding and intolerance of ancestral ways
🇵🇷 the strong love of family
🇵🇷 the power of abuelita's love
🇵🇷 the ways girls are treated differently once they hit puberty
🇵🇷 the way brown kids have to grow up faster than they need to because of certain environments
🇵🇷 the innocence of first loves
🇵🇷 how real life can become horror
🇵🇷 how secrets create trauma
🇵🇷 the importance of safe spaces for kids in NYC neighborhoods
🇵🇷 the strength of tradition and culture
I loved that the atmospheric writing really brought this story to life. I was SCARED for real the entire time. The abuelita moments softened the mood throughout. I am absolutely in love with this one forever and I highly recommend you pick this one up and share with your friends and family. If you're looking for a scary, Brooklyn story with lots of boricua spice this one is for you.
sometimesleelynnreads's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to TBR & Beyond Tours, Netgalley, and Jolly Fish Press for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.
I think it’s fitting that Vigilante starts with this specific Albert Einstein quote even before the chapter officially starts:
The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.
We are in a world that is afraid to speak up because we are afraid of the repercussions. Or we are afraid to speak up because things can be turned against us even when we are trying to stand up for what’s right. It could be something so simple as making sure a fellow classmate isn’t bullying another student – not saying bullying is simple or small – or standing up against a corrupt government. Or even just telling law enforcement officials the truth of a crime you witnessed, which is similar to what is happening with Tia Lugo right now.
It’s not every day when a thirteen year old is a witness to a murder in their neighborhood. It’s also not a normal circumstance where the same thirteen year old person is in fear of their life because the murderer may be terrorizing them in order to hide the truth of what happened. Unfortunately, this is what Tia Lugo is dealing with, and somehow she will need to find a way to rely on the one resource that she didn’t think she would need to turn to: the help of her grandmother and the botánica that she isn’t too fond of being around.
This definitely flowed like a murder mystery novel, and from the moment that Tia witnessed the murder, I was already concerned about her safety. So was she, and I felt super bad for her having to deal with that! I really enjoyed her friendship with Julius from what we were able to witness, and I loved seeing the familial dynamics that we saw during this time. I think Gram was my favorite character, as grandmas usually are most times!
This was a great mystery, and I actually would have never thought to do a middle grade mystery like this! Super intense from the very beginning and I was in for a wild ride the entire time.
I think it’s fitting that Vigilante starts with this specific Albert Einstein quote even before the chapter officially starts:
The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.
We are in a world that is afraid to speak up because we are afraid of the repercussions. Or we are afraid to speak up because things can be turned against us even when we are trying to stand up for what’s right. It could be something so simple as making sure a fellow classmate isn’t bullying another student – not saying bullying is simple or small – or standing up against a corrupt government. Or even just telling law enforcement officials the truth of a crime you witnessed, which is similar to what is happening with Tia Lugo right now.
It’s not every day when a thirteen year old is a witness to a murder in their neighborhood. It’s also not a normal circumstance where the same thirteen year old person is in fear of their life because the murderer may be terrorizing them in order to hide the truth of what happened. Unfortunately, this is what Tia Lugo is dealing with, and somehow she will need to find a way to rely on the one resource that she didn’t think she would need to turn to: the help of her grandmother and the botánica that she isn’t too fond of being around.
This definitely flowed like a murder mystery novel, and from the moment that Tia witnessed the murder, I was already concerned about her safety. So was she, and I felt super bad for her having to deal with that! I really enjoyed her friendship with Julius from what we were able to witness, and I loved seeing the familial dynamics that we saw during this time. I think Gram was my favorite character, as grandmas usually are most times!
This was a great mystery, and I actually would have never thought to do a middle grade mystery like this! Super intense from the very beginning and I was in for a wild ride the entire time.