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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
MUST READ!!! What a powerful book written so beautifully!!
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was an incredible choice for my first book on my #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth reading mission. Short of the obvious and well-known details about Trujillo and his reign of fear, I had never actually heard or read about stories this personal. Even though this was a work of "fiction", I knew Julia Alvarez lived in the time of Trujillo and was digging deep for the poignant stories needed to convey the pain and conflict Dominicans suffered. Then she delicately weaved in Anita and her family, and it was magical. I loved it!
I appreciated the realness of this book. Too often endings wrap up in too neat and perfect of a way. Which is great at times but also a bit unrealistic. As sad as parts of the end were, I felt that they mirrored real life. I enjoyed getting to know the history of the DR, even if it was mixed in with some fiction. I also read this book in Spanish which added a distinct flavor to the experience. A great book overall.
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Reread (September 2019):
This book was just as hard-hitting and amazing the second time around. Definitely a must-read.
April 2018:
I really enjoyed this book! This book takes place in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s and gives insight into Trujillo’s dictatorship through the eyes of a 12 year old. I loved (but also was somewhat saddened) by how innocent and naive the beginning of the narrative was and how increasingly aware, dark, and serious it became throughout later chapters. This book was extremely well-written and I totally recommend it.
Reread (September 2019):
This book was just as hard-hitting and amazing the second time around. Definitely a must-read.
April 2018:
I really enjoyed this book! This book takes place in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s and gives insight into Trujillo’s dictatorship through the eyes of a 12 year old. I loved (but also was somewhat saddened) by how innocent and naive the beginning of the narrative was and how increasingly aware, dark, and serious it became throughout later chapters. This book was extremely well-written and I totally recommend it.
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Julia Alvarez tells a compelling story based off of her family’s experience in the DR during the time of El Jefe. Through the eyes of a young girl named Anita, you get to truly understand what life is like for people living in a world full of hate and control. It was very eye-opening for me and I loved seeing Anita’s somewhat forced growth.
Wow! First of all - there is so much history I do not know and middle grade/YA historical fiction is my favorite way to learn it. I had no idea about any Dominican history and I definitely didn’t know about this dictatorship. This book was fantastic but also heartbreaking. Anita was a great narrator.
I picked up this book on a whim and didn’t think much of it but I am so glad I did. This was my first 5 star read of the month of May and I am so glad I found it and read it when I did!
I cannot really explain why I loved this book so much but just know that it is definitely worth a read. Just give it a try. We follow a 12 year old girl as her family tries to liberate their country from a dictatorship and all the repercussions that follow.
Even though our narrator did not know what was going on based on the writing we were able to know what she did not, helping us to grasp the gravity of the situations.
I loved that it wasn’t just about the dictatorship but it also showed them trying to live the best life/ most normal life they can with school, parties, crushes etc. it helped it all seem more real and made it feel like we were talking to a friend.
I cannot really explain why I loved this book so much but just know that it is definitely worth a read. Just give it a try. We follow a 12 year old girl as her family tries to liberate their country from a dictatorship and all the repercussions that follow.
Even though our narrator did not know what was going on based on the writing we were able to know what she did not, helping us to grasp the gravity of the situations.
I loved that it wasn’t just about the dictatorship but it also showed them trying to live the best life/ most normal life they can with school, parties, crushes etc. it helped it all seem more real and made it feel like we were talking to a friend.