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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Winner of the Morris debut YA novel, this is a terrific novel told through the diary pages of high school senior, Gabi Hernandez. It's a social and emotional roller coaster of a year - is Gabi's resilience and heart enough to get her through? See my full review here.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The cover initially put me off but after I read it, I loved it. Beautifully written with wonderful characters. The book makes you laugh and cry sometimes at the same time.
This diary-esque novel follows Gabi during her final year of high school where nothing seems to go right for Gabi or any of her friends. Written with a strong voice with an even stronger protagonist, this book is certain to make a splash with teen readers. Part diary, part poetry, part zine, this mishmash of a novel was absolutely incredible!!
Gabi is so loud and funny and endearing, and her friends are just so incredibly real. This book critiques how Mexican-Americans are viewed in our culture from the stereotypes to the statistics. What does it mean when you're now a statistic but also still an autonomous person? Do your actions define a statistic or does the statistic define you? And what happens when you try to break free from those stereotypes, when the reason for those statistics are more than just foolishness and impulsive decisions? And what happens when you don't have an outlet to discuss all the things that are happening around you?
This book is so poignant, and I'm honestly a little surprised that more people in my circles haven't read it. It seems like it would fit right in with their reading habits (for real, pals who are reading this). It's YA, it about a Mexican-American fat girl, and discusses some of the harsh realities of being a woman in this society.
Gabi is also another one of those books that has a pleasantly realistic ending rather than a hugely uplifting one or a totally depressing one. Honestly, this text taught me a lot about current discussions in communities other than my own (namely Mexican communities) as well as how Mexican-American familial cultures operate. I loved this book, and can't recommend it enough!
Review cross-listed here!
Gabi is so loud and funny and endearing, and her friends are just so incredibly real. This book critiques how Mexican-Americans are viewed in our culture from the stereotypes to the statistics. What does it mean when you're now a statistic but also still an autonomous person? Do your actions define a statistic or does the statistic define you? And what happens when you try to break free from those stereotypes, when the reason for those statistics are more than just foolishness and impulsive decisions? And what happens when you don't have an outlet to discuss all the things that are happening around you?
This book is so poignant, and I'm honestly a little surprised that more people in my circles haven't read it. It seems like it would fit right in with their reading habits (for real, pals who are reading this). It's YA, it about a Mexican-American fat girl, and discusses some of the harsh realities of being a woman in this society.
Gabi is also another one of those books that has a pleasantly realistic ending rather than a hugely uplifting one or a totally depressing one. Honestly, this text taught me a lot about current discussions in communities other than my own (namely Mexican communities) as well as how Mexican-American familial cultures operate. I loved this book, and can't recommend it enough!
Review cross-listed here!
Gabi, the main character reminded me so much of myself. I am a poet as is she. I loved her one over the female body. She was caught in between so many worlds. How to be the right, good girl. I loved this book. It was deeper than just the upper plot layout. She is trying to find herself in a world that tells you what's right, wrong, good, bad, and is just down right confusing and complicated. We are all made up of so many different "pieces". We wouldn't be who we are without the circumstances that life puts us in. We develop by all our interactions and experiences. Great book!
I loved this book gabi reminds me sooo much of myself, I loved the way this book was written, it was really funny and super relatable
What a stunning debut for teens! Girls of all ages and walks of life will appreciate this blunt and honest glimpse into the life of a teenage girl that is just trying hard to get by. It's hard for Gabi, on overweight girl with an overbearing Mexican mother, sullen brother, meth addicted father, pregnant best friend, and another one that's gay. Is it too much for life to be normal? She brilliantly narrates her "over-dramatic life" in this diary and fills it with poetry, letters, and daily observations. Trying to accept your family, navigate boys, feel good about yourself and your heritage, and figure out the future are just some of the things she touches on. It's laugh out loud funny and brutally insightful. A must read for teenage girls or really anyone. This book was just fantastic!
I had a really hard time getting into this book. There were bits and pieces written in Spanish, and while that felt very authentic to the character, it was hard to read.
You know...because I don't speak Spanish.
I felt like I was missing the punchline a lot of the time. There were some laugh out loud moments and Gabi is definitely one of the more unique YA voices I've read recently. But yeah, it was tough to connect with in the end.
You know...because I don't speak Spanish.
I felt like I was missing the punchline a lot of the time. There were some laugh out loud moments and Gabi is definitely one of the more unique YA voices I've read recently. But yeah, it was tough to connect with in the end.
Great writing and message but not good enough for me to always remember it.