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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
What. A. Tear-jerker. Based in 1960’s Dominican Republic under the dictatorship of General Trujillo, the main character has to grow into her preteen years learning to hide from a hostile government and live a secret life walking on eggshells. The writing is a mix of traditional prose and the main character’s diary entries. Very interesting point of view to experience as an outside reader. It makes me wonder how current 12yo children are dealing with life in Ukraine right now.
Solid 4 stars for this heartbreaking story. Very glad I decided to participate in a book group at one of the elementary schools I work for. I don’t think I would have ever found this book on my own.
Solid 4 stars for this heartbreaking story. Very glad I decided to participate in a book group at one of the elementary schools I work for. I don’t think I would have ever found this book on my own.
emotional
sad
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:
Yes
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Such a heartgripping story about people surviving and family members not surviving a dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. Unfortunatelly, as the author explains, this story could have taken place in numerous countries of the southern hemisphere of the continent. Sad but beautiful.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Torture, Police brutality, Death of parent, War
emotional
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
I feel like this should be shelved as middle grade not YA
Lo siento, pero estoy aburrida
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Sometimes a book where the actual day in the life activities can be more impacting than a build to one huge climax. That was this book. It was good but I wanted more. It left me wishing there were more historical facts woven through as the author says she interviewed many in preparation for the writing of this book who lived through it. It felt like she was holding out.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated