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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
It started to fall flat and didn’t have much storyline excitement like I’d had hope.
- Not enough focus on action; lots of telling not showing—would have loved more imagery.
- Found the "boy crazy" narrator annoying because she was more focused on the boy she "loved" than her families disappearance? this felt like pandering to a YA audience and unrealistic.
- Found the focus on shutting down and not talking during her sister's leaving was great, very poignant, and deeply true to the depression caused by something so caustic.
- Alvarez's discussion of puberty felt honest.
Anita de la Torre and her family live under the rule of a corrupt dictator in the Dominican Republic. She is forced to go into hiding when several of her family members fall under suspicion of opposing the government.
Along the lines of Anne Frank, Anita keeps a journal to help pass the time in hiding, as well as to deal with her hopes and fears for the future.
Along the lines of Anne Frank, Anita keeps a journal to help pass the time in hiding, as well as to deal with her hopes and fears for the future.
Julia Alverez has a talent for bringing out the humanity in controversial situations. In this story, Anita lives in the Dominican Republic and watches as a dictator threatens everything and everyone she loves. While most of her family slowly escapes to the United States, Anita's father believes they should stay and fight.
This historical fiction journey taught me a lot about a time I haven't really studied. One book about immigration should be required reading for each grade level. Middle grades would gain compassion by reading this one.
This historical fiction journey taught me a lot about a time I haven't really studied. One book about immigration should be required reading for each grade level. Middle grades would gain compassion by reading this one.
I read this book as a possible novel for my 7th grade Literature class. It was amazing. And the students loved it as much as I did. It is written from a 12 year old perspective of the fight for freedom in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s. I highly recommend it.
did i read this just because it was short and i could fit it in before the month ended? maybe.
but it’s poignant and compelling for the middle grade/younger readers, in the same way that Anne Frank’s diary was for me as a kid, telling the story of a girl in a world far more corrupted and unsafe and terrifying than any kid should ever experience. (this one is set in the dominican republic and is based on the author’s own life!)
also… did anyone else go through a major world war two reading phase as a kid? i read SO MUCH about the holocaust and survivors and that time period, which seems bizarre looking back??? but also i’m grateful for the awareness and empathy those stories instilled in me at a young age ❤️
but it’s poignant and compelling for the middle grade/younger readers, in the same way that Anne Frank’s diary was for me as a kid, telling the story of a girl in a world far more corrupted and unsafe and terrifying than any kid should ever experience. (this one is set in the dominican republic and is based on the author’s own life!)
also… did anyone else go through a major world war two reading phase as a kid? i read SO MUCH about the holocaust and survivors and that time period, which seems bizarre looking back??? but also i’m grateful for the awareness and empathy those stories instilled in me at a young age ❤️
Interesting book. I know nothing of the Dominican Republic or their history, but this book gives you an insight into someone's life as they go through it with parents who are very deeply involved. Brings to light the trauma kids suffer when parents are rebels.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No