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doublen's review
3.0
As an esol teacher, the amount of English she and her family knew when talking to Americans seemed really unrealistic, which kept throwing me off and bothering me. For example, how did Papá go from knowing very little English to being able to counsel 9/11 family members by the end of the book?
Also, the plot was kind of weak in my opinion.
Good concept though.
Also, the plot was kind of weak in my opinion.
Good concept though.
poachedeggs's review
3.0
Easy to read, simple story of an Argentinian girl whose family moves to America to get away from the horrible economy in their homeland. I think it's a nice story for young girls (below the age of 12) but I am a little too old for this...
emanck15's review
4.0
Quick read. Probably 7-8 grade girls interest level. I think it would help build empathy for immigrant students. Also has issues related to terrorist attacks, and autism.
bellatora's review
3.0
I don’t know if this was marketed as middle grade fiction or YA, but it definitely feels like middle grade. It’s the story of Dani, whose life has fallen apart during the Argentinian economic crisis. Dani’s pregnant aunt died in a terrorist attack in 1993, starting Dani's father's tailspin of grief that escalated when he lost his business. Now he just sits at home all day being angry, and Dani and her mother and sister are trying to cope and survive the country’s unrest. Dani’s family finally decides to move to America , and Dani has to navigate high school as the new girl. The lessons about learning to heal and how people aren’t so different after all are after-school-special but not too patronizingly done. The language is simple and the plot and characters are pretty direct – that’s why it felt like it was middle grade. I found it too simplistic, but could see that it would be good for younger readers.
rhihime's review
5.0
I love this book. It was a story I can relate to because I also experienced moving to other place even though I stayed in the same school, just the neighborhood was different but nevertheless, it was still hard. It was hard adjusting to the new environment. Many people looking at you then whispers to each other and it was just really a struggle and this story really put the emotions I felt at that time into words.
akmargie's review
3.0
Okay, I read this. I know I did. It might have been a skim job but I read it. The author was at Anderson's YA Lit conference and I asked the author a question because this book is very different from her other books.
All chit chat aside it was a good story, not great and I liked that it focused on family and what happens after first love.
All chit chat aside it was a good story, not great and I liked that it focused on family and what happens after first love.
booksargram's review
4.0
I loved this book! It was so well written and interesting. Everything about it was perfect!
ii_xiv's review
5.0
If I had read this book before teaching in South Phoenix, I would probably give it four stars or maybe three.
But because it was recommended to me by a student who gave an enthusiastic book talk, and is going to be so excited to hear it was one of my fall break reads, I am giving it five.
Dani's story does remind me of Esperanza Rising, which is what my student said in her book talk. After all, they are both stories of immigrant girls who must find their way in America. However, Dani's story is more mature, more emotionally complex, and more contemporary. I have so many students who've loved Esperanza in lower grades who will enjoy this book, boys and girls alike.
I am grateful to have a book to share with them that blends familiar things: immigrants, Spanish==with a new culture they may know very little of.
As a reader, not a teacher-reader, this book was very readable, sweet, and sincere. I learned a lot and Dani's family was very realistic and endearing.
But because it was recommended to me by a student who gave an enthusiastic book talk, and is going to be so excited to hear it was one of my fall break reads, I am giving it five.
Dani's story does remind me of Esperanza Rising, which is what my student said in her book talk. After all, they are both stories of immigrant girls who must find their way in America. However, Dani's story is more mature, more emotionally complex, and more contemporary. I have so many students who've loved Esperanza in lower grades who will enjoy this book, boys and girls alike.
I am grateful to have a book to share with them that blends familiar things: immigrants, Spanish==with a new culture they may know very little of.
As a reader, not a teacher-reader, this book was very readable, sweet, and sincere. I learned a lot and Dani's family was very realistic and endearing.