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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
The diary of Gabi is a quick/easy read that made me cry and laugh and think. There's also poetry and a zine. It's a fun, thoughtful, sweet story that's also gritty and "real". I loved meeting and getting to know Gabi and her familia.
fast-paced
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Where can I begin with this book? Gosh was it an emotional rollercoaster! I love Gabi and everything she stand for. This book dealt with some very heavy topics, but I could relate to them on a personal level. I loved everything about this book. The writing was a little cringe but it’s what made it good. I’m glad I pulled through and finished this book fast. Gabi is just like me for real. I recommend this book to every young adult going through they're awkward high school years. It very important.
This was one of the books I chose in my quest to read more books by Latin Authors so this has been on my TBR for quite some time.
Overall this was an ok book. Taking into account this is a story of a teenage girl in her Senior year of high school I'm not sure if I was looking for something different but my expectations were not entirely met. You have your teenage girls and the issues of pregnancy, boys and the developing body. Quintero does a good job of showing us the double standards when it comes to boys vs girls, family issues, drugs, sex, pregnancy, feminism, education and traditions, the assumption of those in regards to skin color and the expectation as a Latina.
While at times I was sympathetic for Gabi and the issues she had to deal with, especially her father, I think the amount of drama involved in the story was a bit over the top. I would have appreciated this story more if it dealt with maybe 1 or 2 problems but so many issues made it too unrealistic.
The other issue I had with this story was Gabi's criticism of herself. At one point she's having a meltdown and says she wishes her aunt could accept herself and be true to herself but she couldn't do it either. What I REALLY disliked was how the word "fat" described everything. Gabi would constantly refer to herself in whatever situation she was in as the fat girl who did this or that, for example, "The fat girl was accepted to Berkeley," "never ask a fat girl if she's hungry" or "the fat girl just got her first kiss" it became annoying as hell, tiresome to read and I just wanted to say why can't we be a little bit more positive? Why portray someone who is overweight as incapable?
If this story included the characters being a bit more positive, a lot less dramatic and more accepting this would be a great read.
Overall this was an ok book. Taking into account this is a story of a teenage girl in her Senior year of high school I'm not sure if I was looking for something different but my expectations were not entirely met. You have your teenage girls and the issues of pregnancy, boys and the developing body. Quintero does a good job of showing us the double standards when it comes to boys vs girls, family issues, drugs, sex, pregnancy, feminism, education and traditions, the assumption of those in regards to skin color and the expectation as a Latina.
While at times I was sympathetic for Gabi and the issues she had to deal with, especially her father, I think the amount of drama involved in the story was a bit over the top. I would have appreciated this story more if it dealt with maybe 1 or 2 problems but so many issues made it too unrealistic.
The other issue I had with this story was Gabi's criticism of herself. At one point she's having a meltdown and says she wishes her aunt could accept herself and be true to herself but she couldn't do it either. What I REALLY disliked was how the word "fat" described everything. Gabi would constantly refer to herself in whatever situation she was in as the fat girl who did this or that, for example, "The fat girl was accepted to Berkeley," "never ask a fat girl if she's hungry" or "the fat girl just got her first kiss" it became annoying as hell, tiresome to read and I just wanted to say why can't we be a little bit more positive? Why portray someone who is overweight as incapable?
If this story included the characters being a bit more positive, a lot less dramatic and more accepting this would be a great read.
reviewed in October 2014 issue of VOYA (Vol. 37 No. 4)
A very strong teen, girl character I would like for a friend! She's interesting, imperfect, and loyal.
This is an excellent teen read.
This is an excellent teen read.
The diary style does remind me of my own high school diary. As others have said, the zine in the middle of the book (which is the source of the cover) was one of the best parts. It’s a lot of plot and drama, but for some high schoolers, that is true to life to have so much going on.
Reads quickly because big chunks are told in poetry. Recommended for fans of The Poet X (though I think Gabi is funnier than Xiomara). Tackles lots of issues, and it felt real for me. Sometimes when you’re a teen, life throws you every possible thing at once.
3.5 stars. Quintero shows great promise (hence her Morris Award), and I can't wait to see what she does next.
Gabi. Oh, how do you describe Miss Gabriela? She is honest, a bit crude, hysterical, a poet, boy-crazy, compassionate, obsessed with food, in love with her friends, and overall, a joy to read. Gabi has to deal with a LOT of stuff in this book: pregnancy, rape, abortion, addiction, death, sex, fights, suspension, applying to college, dating, and like everything in between. You see, it is her senior year in a small, impoverished town near the border of Mexico. Her mom is pregnant, and incredibly strict toward her girl child (Beto, her brother, just gets off with a "boys will be boys"). Her dad is a drug addict, and is hardly around. Her best friends Cindy (pregnant) and Sebastian (gay) have all kinds of drama of their own. It is literally a wonder how Gabi gets through all of this relatively unscathed.
I think it is because of poetry that she does. Gabi is in a creative writing class, which becomes her catharsis and her strength. Not to mention, the place where she meets quite a few boys :)
My only concern with this book is that parents will probably HATE it. Which is a shame, because I think it is one of the most realistic books I have read. Lots of crap happens, bad crap, but Gabi takes it all in with such strength and grace (even though I think she might argue with me about that).
The poetry, might I add, is a stand out here. Glorious.
RA notes: essentially anything objectionable you can think of is in this book. BUT IT IS HANDLED PERFECTLY AND I WHOLLY SUPPORT IT.
Gabi. Oh, how do you describe Miss Gabriela? She is honest, a bit crude, hysterical, a poet, boy-crazy, compassionate, obsessed with food, in love with her friends, and overall, a joy to read. Gabi has to deal with a LOT of stuff in this book: pregnancy, rape, abortion, addiction, death, sex, fights, suspension, applying to college, dating, and like everything in between. You see, it is her senior year in a small, impoverished town near the border of Mexico. Her mom is pregnant, and incredibly strict toward her girl child (Beto, her brother, just gets off with a "boys will be boys"). Her dad is a drug addict, and is hardly around. Her best friends Cindy (pregnant) and Sebastian (gay) have all kinds of drama of their own. It is literally a wonder how Gabi gets through all of this relatively unscathed.
I think it is because of poetry that she does. Gabi is in a creative writing class, which becomes her catharsis and her strength. Not to mention, the place where she meets quite a few boys :)
My only concern with this book is that parents will probably HATE it. Which is a shame, because I think it is one of the most realistic books I have read. Lots of crap happens, bad crap, but Gabi takes it all in with such strength and grace (even though I think she might argue with me about that).
The poetry, might I add, is a stand out here. Glorious.
RA notes: essentially anything objectionable you can think of is in this book. BUT IT IS HANDLED PERFECTLY AND I WHOLLY SUPPORT IT.
As a hispanic girl named Gabriella, I don't think I've ever read any book with a main character that is hispanic or named Gabriella. (High School Musical DOES NOT count). I wish I had read this book in middle school, because it touches on SO MANY important themes (family issues, friend issues, body issues, teen pregnancy, abuse, etc). Gabi's coming-of-age story is special and full of ups and downs, something I'm sure plenty of pre-teens and teens could relate to. Such a nice reflection of a girl learning and becoming better in so many difficult situations.