You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I would never have picked this book up on my own. The only reason I gave it a chance was because I had heard some Booktubers (you know, those bookish people on Youtube) talking about it. When it came on sale in the Kindle store, I thought why not give it a try. I'm glad I did. It was really very good.
Gabi is a high school senior struggling with her weight, family expectations, friends, frenemies, and a meth-addicted father. In journal entries she explores her feelings and thoughts about myriad aspects of her life and the education, both formal and informal, that she's receiving.
This book covers a lot of sensitive subjects: body image, sex, drug abuse, religion, and even death. It would make an interesting classroom read, but I imagine there would be some parents that would try to get it banned. Oh, the conversations it could inspire, though!
Gabi is a high school senior struggling with her weight, family expectations, friends, frenemies, and a meth-addicted father. In journal entries she explores her feelings and thoughts about myriad aspects of her life and the education, both formal and informal, that she's receiving.
This book covers a lot of sensitive subjects: body image, sex, drug abuse, religion, and even death. It would make an interesting classroom read, but I imagine there would be some parents that would try to get it banned. Oh, the conversations it could inspire, though!
Chose this book because I needed a YA book for my 2021 reading challenge. It was a little heavier than I expected, but overall enjoyable.
Let me confess: I'm not a huge fan of poetry, but I didn't want to put this down. Good and necessary and vibrant.
“Gabi” nearly stumbles into the same problem that Stephen Chbosky’s Perks of Being a Wallflower did – namely the problem of All The Issues. They are both written in the often problematic journaling style in which the events of the book are recorded in a diary or in letters to someone not involved n the story. “Perks” delves into pretty much every horrible thing a teenager can possible encounter, but doesn’t really deal with any of them fully. It leaves the reader feeling very unsatisfied. “Gabi” also touches on a number of issues (body shaming, sexism, homophobia, racism, drug use, death, birth, teen pregnancy, abortion), but the main character’s reactions to these extreme realities feel much more genuine.
I personally relate to the protagonist, Gabi, in soooo many ways. I understand her struggles with body image and fat shaming. I share her confusion with society’s unspoken rules for young women. I feel her outrage at the hypocrisy and blatant injustice inherent in this set of societal rules. Gabi doesn’t have all the answers, but I believe she is asking the right questions.
I personally relate to the protagonist, Gabi, in soooo many ways. I understand her struggles with body image and fat shaming. I share her confusion with society’s unspoken rules for young women. I feel her outrage at the hypocrisy and blatant injustice inherent in this set of societal rules. Gabi doesn’t have all the answers, but I believe she is asking the right questions.
Isn't it great when a book lives up to the hype? I've been hearing amazing things about this book from both general reviewers and friends & readers whose opinions I trust for a while now. I'm so glad I finally got a copy (for our library, woohoo!) and read it! I think readers might begin this novel thinking they're in for just another coming of age tale (albeit one that hits on many topics)--but they will quickly realize that this a refreshingly honest, raw, and feminist take on the truly challenging journey from adolescence into adulthood. Gabi's journey is both universal--she's trying to be a good friend, a good sibling, a good child and she's struggling to understand & determine her individual identity--and specific. Quintero purposefully explores what it means for Gabi to be Mexican American and female. She doesn't hesitate to use Spanish without constant translation or mention specific aspects of Gabi's cultural heritage or the nitty gritty realities of being brown (or not brown enough, as Gabi contemplates) in American; she has Gabi say the things that so many teenage girls have wondered about their bodies and sex--topics that are often addressed negatively or in strange roundabout ways in contemporary media. I also love the use of poetry here. Gabi is not only coming of age as a person but also as a poet in this novel and the inclusion of poetry (both Gabi's and other writers' work) feel organic.
And above all, I just love Gabi. I love her humor, her honesty, her fear, her passion, her confusion, and her determination. At points I was cheering out loud for her--in her moments of bravery and pain.
Strangely I've found when I try to talk to people about this book, if I begin by describing the plot, there's a moment of deflation in my listener. I can just see them thinking, "another novel about teenager with awful problems (addict dad, pregnant friend, etc.)--how depressing." I've realized it's better for me to just speak from my heart & gut about Gabi, saying that this is an awesome, feminist novel about a Latina girl figuring out herself, her sexuality, her body, and her future, often through poetry. Oh, and you should read it--right now. I think a lot of teens will love this novel and I think any adults who work with teens should absolutely read it.
And above all, I just love Gabi. I love her humor, her honesty, her fear, her passion, her confusion, and her determination. At points I was cheering out loud for her--in her moments of bravery and pain.
Strangely I've found when I try to talk to people about this book, if I begin by describing the plot, there's a moment of deflation in my listener. I can just see them thinking, "another novel about teenager with awful problems (addict dad, pregnant friend, etc.)--how depressing." I've realized it's better for me to just speak from my heart & gut about Gabi, saying that this is an awesome, feminist novel about a Latina girl figuring out herself, her sexuality, her body, and her future, often through poetry. Oh, and you should read it--right now. I think a lot of teens will love this novel and I think any adults who work with teens should absolutely read it.
So lovely....Gabi is such a wonderful, real teenage character. Will definitely recommend this one to my teenager.
Amazing. Beautiful, real, awesome, amazing. Remember Are you There God, It's Me, Margaret? Well, this is an edgier, realer, more modern rite-of-passage for young women. Run, do not walk, to go and read this book. 4 hours after starting this book, I was done, and the mailman looked at me funny as I busted out loud laughing, and my cat cuddled with me when I started to sob. Real, beautiful, authentic, awesome. Gabi's voice is profoundly timeless, modern, and I would have given anything to have this book to read when I was in high school. Amazing.
I wish I would have read this book when I was in high school. Gabi and I are kindred spirits! Loved, loved, loved it!
Gabi, a Girl in Pieces is about a Mexican-American girl named Gabi who shares her ramblings about life, family, and high school. Our narrator, Gabi has a witty, quick banter style of dialogue that makes her funny and relatable to her readers. She is very down-to-earth and lets readers know right off the bat that she is nowhere near perfect and is just one girl trying to find her way through life.
Gabi has a lot on her plate, but she tries to make the most of things, the best way she knows how. The book is a coming of age story since Gabi is in her senior year of high school. It’s a pivotal time in one’s life with a lot of fast transitions, career decisions, and family and friend relationship changes. She often gets stressed out with app letters and what she wants for her future which is relatable to a wide audience.
While this book is humorous it also touches on more serious issues such as peer pressure, a family member’s drug addiction, and teen pregnancy. Gabi also talks about her internal struggle of feeling “too american’ while staying connected to her Mexican heritage. Her candid thoughts about these issues really made me enjoy her character. Quintero carefully balances the humor and serious topics so that the book maintains its easygoing style, and it also opens a great platform for discussion.
One of the biggest themes in this book besides the heavy emphasis on the coming of age/identity plot line is family. a motto of “blood is thicker than water” is often used by Gabi’s mother even though the two fight on and off like mothers and daughters do. It spreads the message that even though family bonds aren’t the strongest they always have your back.
Poetry also plays a big part in this novel, Quintero shows how powerful the art form is and how it can a remedy for pain. It helps Gabi conquer some of her darkest moments and is outlet to express some of the feelings she keeps hidden away. Gabi’s journaling reminded me of when I used to write poems to reflect on my days, and how it allowed me to sort out my thoughts.
One of the things that really drew me to this book is the cover art, which is very reflective of this unique story. While reading the book I could see how the title and cover art design is reflective of Gabi’s character. She takes the puzzle pieces of her life and tries to put them together in order to become a stronger person. She reminds that we’re only human and if we try our hardest to overcome the trials life throws at us we can become a more confident person.
Overall, Gabi, a Girl in Pieces is a wonderful story that everyone should read!
Gabi has a lot on her plate, but she tries to make the most of things, the best way she knows how. The book is a coming of age story since Gabi is in her senior year of high school. It’s a pivotal time in one’s life with a lot of fast transitions, career decisions, and family and friend relationship changes. She often gets stressed out with app letters and what she wants for her future which is relatable to a wide audience.
While this book is humorous it also touches on more serious issues such as peer pressure, a family member’s drug addiction, and teen pregnancy. Gabi also talks about her internal struggle of feeling “too american’ while staying connected to her Mexican heritage. Her candid thoughts about these issues really made me enjoy her character. Quintero carefully balances the humor and serious topics so that the book maintains its easygoing style, and it also opens a great platform for discussion.
One of the biggest themes in this book besides the heavy emphasis on the coming of age/identity plot line is family. a motto of “blood is thicker than water” is often used by Gabi’s mother even though the two fight on and off like mothers and daughters do. It spreads the message that even though family bonds aren’t the strongest they always have your back.
Poetry also plays a big part in this novel, Quintero shows how powerful the art form is and how it can a remedy for pain. It helps Gabi conquer some of her darkest moments and is outlet to express some of the feelings she keeps hidden away. Gabi’s journaling reminded me of when I used to write poems to reflect on my days, and how it allowed me to sort out my thoughts.
One of the things that really drew me to this book is the cover art, which is very reflective of this unique story. While reading the book I could see how the title and cover art design is reflective of Gabi’s character. She takes the puzzle pieces of her life and tries to put them together in order to become a stronger person. She reminds that we’re only human and if we try our hardest to overcome the trials life throws at us we can become a more confident person.
Overall, Gabi, a Girl in Pieces is a wonderful story that everyone should read!
I loved Gabi's voice, but the story was too crowded. At times, the amount of "drama" felt borderline YA novel cliche.