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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
The writing style/narration was definitely something I had to get used to, but after the first chapter or two I flew through this book!
Liliana is in grade 10. Her father is away, which isnt too unusual, but hes not normally away THIS long. And the way her mom has been acting makes her suspect something is seriously wrong. On top of that, she found out she has been accepted into a program that she didn't even apply for at a fancy rich kid school out of town. She agrees to give the school a try. The school is majority white, and she experiences racism from the other kids.
The school is not especially progressive, though they at least react to the racist memes that get shared by the students.
Having the "good, not racist" boyfriend's best friend be very outwardly racist while the boyfriend makes excuses for him is.. very realistic. I'm so glad Liliana stood up for herself and held Dustin accountable for covering for Steve. Although Dustin turned him in, his apology was no where near good enough for them to be "maybe I'll see you around"-ing.
While this was all going down at school, Liliana also had to deal with the secret that her father had been deported to Guatemala and was trying to cross back into the US. This poor girl.
I'm so glad she got her happy ending! I cried!
Liliana is in grade 10. Her father is away, which isnt too unusual, but hes not normally away THIS long. And the way her mom has been acting makes her suspect something is seriously wrong. On top of that, she found out she has been accepted into a program that she didn't even apply for at a fancy rich kid school out of town. She agrees to give the school a try. The school is majority white, and she experiences racism from the other kids.
The school is not especially progressive, though they at least react to the racist memes that get shared by the students.
Having the "good, not racist" boyfriend's best friend be very outwardly racist while the boyfriend makes excuses for him is.. very realistic. I'm so glad Liliana stood up for herself and held Dustin accountable for covering for Steve. Although Dustin turned him in, his apology was no where near good enough for them to be "maybe I'll see you around"-ing.
While this was all going down at school, Liliana also had to deal with the secret that her father had been deported to Guatemala and was trying to cross back into the US. This poor girl.
I'm so glad she got her happy ending! I cried!
This was a good and relevant story. It really felt like growing up. The author did a good job at showing a point in time when you start to really see the world around you; when you transition from a kid who doesn't really see and understand things happening to growing up and having your whole perspective changed. The emotions and fear it creates. It was also felt like a real story of fear and immigration, but also hope and love and family. One of the major things that bothered me about this book was sometimes the slang was a little much. I understood the purpose of it was to really get Lili's voice across and to make it more real, I just think it could have been slightly less without impacting the feeling or the story dramatically. But I am not a teen so maybe teens would feel differently.
This was such a cute read but y’all most of the things Liliana experiences was so relatable.
Just a few notes about themes in the book:
- whew the microagressions in this book. LAWD.
- The constant having to speak for your whole race and/or ethnicity is so relatable.
- Loved seeing discussion about how Black and Brown people have to code switch in non-Black and Brown spaces.
- the separation of Black and Brown folks into alternate activities to pacify white tears is just...ugh.
- having Black and Brown folks training white folks on ways to be less racist
Sheesh. I felt every single experience. A MUST READ!
Just a few notes about themes in the book:
- whew the microagressions in this book. LAWD.
- The constant having to speak for your whole race and/or ethnicity is so relatable.
- Loved seeing discussion about how Black and Brown people have to code switch in non-Black and Brown spaces.
- the separation of Black and Brown folks into alternate activities to pacify white tears is just...ugh.
- having Black and Brown folks training white folks on ways to be less racist
Sheesh. I felt every single experience. A MUST READ!
First-generation American LatinX Liliana Cruz does what it takes to fit in at her new nearly all-white school. But when family secrets spill out and racism at school ramps up, she must decide what she believes in and take a stand. ~ From the Publisher
Similar to The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas, this title let’s the reader experience what it is like to be from a different culture trying to fit in to their school community. Ms. De Leon’s writing pulls the reader into Liliana Cruz’s world and builds empathy toward her and the secret her family is keeping. Most teens reading this story will identify with at least one of the characters.
The storyline will have readers rooting for Liliana and admiration for her boldness to do something about her current school situation. Don’t Ask Me Where I Am from will be savored by those readers who like realistic fiction and a cause to get behind . Highly recommended for all teens.
I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley and the publisher, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, in exchange for an honest review.
Similar to The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas, this title let’s the reader experience what it is like to be from a different culture trying to fit in to their school community. Ms. De Leon’s writing pulls the reader into Liliana Cruz’s world and builds empathy toward her and the secret her family is keeping. Most teens reading this story will identify with at least one of the characters.
The storyline will have readers rooting for Liliana and admiration for her boldness to do something about her current school situation. Don’t Ask Me Where I Am from will be savored by those readers who like realistic fiction and a cause to get behind . Highly recommended for all teens.
I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley and the publisher, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 - I read this book quickly because it was a v easy read. Liliana was a strong character with a lot of great energy. She was well rounded, and I particularly liked her interest in both writing, and making miniatures (that is not a creative outlet I've read about before and I enjoyed the process.)
The story of her dad being deported was heartbreaking and that felt important to talk about. The topic of racism is also always important to tackle, but I've definitely read/watched the similar overall idea before (BIPOC student goes to all white school and the racism that ensues).
It was a pretty even-keeled story, lots of introspection from Lili, no real build up to anything major. I mean, the diversity assembly scene was wild, and I'm not saying that can't happen IRL, but it didn't feel suuuuper realistic. The "wall" of feelings and ideas that the students contributed felt like it could have gone somewhere, but there was not a ton of info on how that impacted or changed the school in some way.
Solid main character, interesting friends, just felt like it could have gone deeper!!!
The story of her dad being deported was heartbreaking and that felt important to talk about. The topic of racism is also always important to tackle, but I've definitely read/watched the similar overall idea before (BIPOC student goes to all white school and the racism that ensues).
It was a pretty even-keeled story, lots of introspection from Lili, no real build up to anything major. I mean, the diversity assembly scene was wild, and I'm not saying that can't happen IRL, but it didn't feel suuuuper realistic. The "wall" of feelings and ideas that the students contributed felt like it could have gone somewhere, but there was not a ton of info on how that impacted or changed the school in some way.
Solid main character, interesting friends, just felt like it could have gone deeper!!!
A heartbreaking and hopeful debut novel.
This book was absolutely captivating. Filled with compelling characters, voice heavy narration, and real-world challenges, this is an excellent example of a contemporary YA novel. I particularly appreciated the author’s focus on family and friendship above relationships, and the theme of continuing to do what you can even in a situation that seems hopeless. Lilianna was a character I couldn’t help but root for as I followed her on her journey being bused in to a new school district, learning to speak up, and hoping her Dad would make it home after being deported.
Overall, this is a beautiful, hopeful, and powerful story that brings a voice to an experience often ignored (or blatantly rewritten). My thanks to the author, publisher, and Edelweiss for a review copy.
This book was absolutely captivating. Filled with compelling characters, voice heavy narration, and real-world challenges, this is an excellent example of a contemporary YA novel. I particularly appreciated the author’s focus on family and friendship above relationships, and the theme of continuing to do what you can even in a situation that seems hopeless. Lilianna was a character I couldn’t help but root for as I followed her on her journey being bused in to a new school district, learning to speak up, and hoping her Dad would make it home after being deported.
Overall, this is a beautiful, hopeful, and powerful story that brings a voice to an experience often ignored (or blatantly rewritten). My thanks to the author, publisher, and Edelweiss for a review copy.
Lilianna lives in Boston with her parents and twin brothers, except her father has been deported back to Guatemala. Life is stressful at home with only one parent. When she is offered a place in METCO at a high school an hour away, Lilianna doesn’t want to take it but mom makes her.
It’s hard to fit in at a school where most faces are white. The ones that aren’t are skeptical about her. (Will she last or will she quit?). Gradually, Lili makes friends and even gets a boyfriend. She now is busy juggling her two lives, school life and home life. When racial slurs start popping up on social media, Lili gets mad and takes action.
This was a great book! The situations and feelings that Lili goes through are similar to what many teens face today. This book openly addresses racism, even subtle racism, and challenges you to do something instead of being a bystander.
I love that this story is relatable for many kids. Even if they have never faced racism, they’ve faced prejudice for some reason or another. Lili ends up being a hero who fights to change people’s beliefs. I’ll be recommending that my students read it and my library purchase it.
Many thanks to netgalley.com for providing me with an ARC of this book.
It’s hard to fit in at a school where most faces are white. The ones that aren’t are skeptical about her. (Will she last or will she quit?). Gradually, Lili makes friends and even gets a boyfriend. She now is busy juggling her two lives, school life and home life. When racial slurs start popping up on social media, Lili gets mad and takes action.
This was a great book! The situations and feelings that Lili goes through are similar to what many teens face today. This book openly addresses racism, even subtle racism, and challenges you to do something instead of being a bystander.
I love that this story is relatable for many kids. Even if they have never faced racism, they’ve faced prejudice for some reason or another. Lili ends up being a hero who fights to change people’s beliefs. I’ll be recommending that my students read it and my library purchase it.
Many thanks to netgalley.com for providing me with an ARC of this book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
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