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vselman's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
*I was gifted a copy of this book as a part of Multicultural Children's Book day for #ReadYourWorld.*
Ri is a Latinx teenager with a lot of questions about her past and her future. She also has questions about the people in her life. Why is her grandmother so strict? Why did her mother leave? Why is her best friend acting some of her Latinx friends are beneath her?
When did it all go sideways? And will her life ever get back on track?
It is a rocky road full of dashed hopes and heartache, but soon enough Ri finds the answers to these questions. And while the answers are not always exactly what she expected, she finds her way to a more authentic connection with the people in her life.
I read this book alongside 2 of my high school students as part of a reading circle. Both students are Latina and both connected with Ri and the other characters. They commented that liked the writing in this story because Ri sounds "like an actual teenager." They both identified with some of the family and social struggles that Ri experiences--trying to find the right balance between American and Mexican, drama in their friend circle, boy drama, and drama with their parent/guardians.
This book reminds me a bit of the movie Encanto in that there is a strong message about authentic communication and acceptance of others, and the healing that can result.
Ri is a Latinx teenager with a lot of questions about her past and her future. She also has questions about the people in her life. Why is her grandmother so strict? Why did her mother leave? Why is her best friend acting some of her Latinx friends are beneath her?
When did it all go sideways? And will her life ever get back on track?
It is a rocky road full of dashed hopes and heartache, but soon enough Ri finds the answers to these questions. And while the answers are not always exactly what she expected, she finds her way to a more authentic connection with the people in her life.
I read this book alongside 2 of my high school students as part of a reading circle. Both students are Latina and both connected with Ri and the other characters. They commented that liked the writing in this story because Ri sounds "like an actual teenager." They both identified with some of the family and social struggles that Ri experiences--trying to find the right balance between American and Mexican, drama in their friend circle, boy drama, and drama with their parent/guardians.
This book reminds me a bit of the movie Encanto in that there is a strong message about authentic communication and acceptance of others, and the healing that can result.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use
psistillreadyou's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Racism, Sexual assault, and Alcoholism
Minor: Drug use
evavstheworld's review
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This was a good coming of age story, quite engaging, but I found there to be content that I hadn’t expected. TWs below, list might not be full.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
sheafandink's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Alcoholism, and Racism
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