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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This was a case of “I liked the idea but wasn’t a fan of the execution”. I liked the idea because I don’t think that it’s something that I’ve read before and I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn’t. The very first thing that I did not like at all was the writing style, that doesn’t mean that no one else will like it, but I just thought that it felt like a first draft (if that makes sense). I didn’t like the main character for some reason, I can’t put my finger on why though. I also felt like the ending was super convenient and maybe too happy it doesn’t make sense that she would suddenly become an amazing student, the wall would be in the newspaper and her father would be back all on the same day.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rating: 4
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected; in the past, I have struggled to read contemporary books because I lean more towards fantasy. This is one of the books that makes me glad that I can win books on Goodreads that are out of my comfort zone. I think the characters and situations presented in this book, while a little over the top at times, are well fleshed out and I found the plot to be thought provoking and important in these times when there has been such an emphasis on equality. This book was fantastic from start to finish and made me wonder what more I can do to work towards a country and world where this is more diversity. I am so glad I won this book and I would highly recommend this book!
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected; in the past, I have struggled to read contemporary books because I lean more towards fantasy. This is one of the books that makes me glad that I can win books on Goodreads that are out of my comfort zone. I think the characters and situations presented in this book, while a little over the top at times, are well fleshed out and I found the plot to be thought provoking and important in these times when there has been such an emphasis on equality. This book was fantastic from start to finish and made me wonder what more I can do to work towards a country and world where this is more diversity. I am so glad I won this book and I would highly recommend this book!
5.5 stars this book was so good I don’t know what’s up with the negative reviews for this one because I really enjoyed it!
However we follow fifteen year old Liliana who a Latinx girl trying to make sense of life without her father due to some mystery things that happened to him that couldn’t be revealed as Liliana moves into another school called the METCO the kids start to make rude remarks about her because she was different than her white peers she was with them she developed a lot for a white boy called Dustin Walker who played two faced about not dating another girl and acting as a decent boy because Liliana was different that gave his friend Steve the chance to be rude about who she was and everything Liliana then got sick of everyone making her feel so different so she spoke out, “I’m tired of people asking me where I’m from!” Which was relatable to someone who isn’t white and is tired of being treated differently because of their colour and race De Leon wrote not only a character who was fighting for the best of her family but had a real voice with humour that will make readers cheer and cry for Liliana as she makes sense in the world she was living I loved this one a lot I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know what happened next! I can’t wait to read what else De Leon writes in the near future
However we follow fifteen year old Liliana who a Latinx girl trying to make sense of life without her father due to some mystery things that happened to him that couldn’t be revealed as Liliana moves into another school called the METCO the kids start to make rude remarks about her because she was different than her white peers she was with them she developed a lot for a white boy called Dustin Walker who played two faced about not dating another girl and acting as a decent boy because Liliana was different that gave his friend Steve the chance to be rude about who she was and everything Liliana then got sick of everyone making her feel so different so she spoke out, “I’m tired of people asking me where I’m from!” Which was relatable to someone who isn’t white and is tired of being treated differently because of their colour and race De Leon wrote not only a character who was fighting for the best of her family but had a real voice with humour that will make readers cheer and cry for Liliana as she makes sense in the world she was living I loved this one a lot I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know what happened next! I can’t wait to read what else De Leon writes in the near future
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Slow to get going, but the ending really cooks. It's refreshing to have a young Latinx protagonist and to see a book about a city kid that doesn't center on the response to violence. (Having said that, I live in the Boston neighborhood depicted in the book and was disappointed to see a diverse, complicated, rapidly-gentrifying neighborhood rendered in the broad strokes of suburban stereotypes about urban life.)
For me, the plot is too busy, as the "fish out of water" plot and the father plot are both HUGE issues, but with both going on at once, I didn't feel either one got enough space. The ending in particular felt very rushed in this respect.
I think young readers will enjoy this. I found the book pretty didactic in spots, and so it suffers from prioritizing teaching us a lesson over telling us a story.
For me, the plot is too busy, as the "fish out of water" plot and the father plot are both HUGE issues, but with both going on at once, I didn't feel either one got enough space. The ending in particular felt very rushed in this respect.
I think young readers will enjoy this. I found the book pretty didactic in spots, and so it suffers from prioritizing teaching us a lesson over telling us a story.
I loved every inch of this book. Liliana Cruz is one of the most wonderful protagonists I've ever met and I was deeply invested in her story, her family, her friends, and navigating her world from start to finish. Really lovely.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this! Liliana’s relationship with her parents, the effects and influence from her new school. Racism, classism, family, “friends”, and more. It touched on some very serious topics that are very real to many teenagers who don’t grow up with the privileges of the kids in her METCO school. As a character you rooted for her.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was amazing! I absolutely adored Liliana and seeing her journey. This is a book that everyone should read. It's catered towards younger YA but I still believe this is a book for everyone.