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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
A lovely book about the high school experiences of a likeable and very relateable girl. It was actually a really excellent "slice of high school life" book; not usually my genre, but I really enjoyed it.
I have no idea why I picked this book up but I'm so happy that I did. this book gave me soo many strong feelings and I found myself screaming at how relatable gabi was to the point where I had to put this book down and walk around for a bit.
I love it I love love love it and I think Quintero does an amazing job getting inside the mind of a 17 y.o girl
I love it I love love love it and I think Quintero does an amazing job getting inside the mind of a 17 y.o girl
This was wonderful! The voice was absolutely amazing, one of the most realistic teen voice I’ve read lately. The book also managed to deal with some really serious topics (parental drug abuse, teen pregnancy, homophobia, sexual violence) in a sensitive and respectful manner without letting them overwhelm the rest of the story. Gabi is a marvelous character, with all her flaws and strengths and her passion for life and her dreams. I especially loved her poetry, and her growth as a poet, how she used it to make sense of her life.
Everything contemporary YA should be - fresh, honest, with a voice that sounds so authentic it hurts (some of the passages could've been lifted straight out of my journals circa 12th grade). Lots of "issues" without feeling like an "issue" book. I want every high school freshman to read this. Just wonderful.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Pregnancy
Gabi’s voice is clear and authentic. I really enjoyed this read.
Gabi, a Mexican-American high school senior with a love for poetry and sopas, deals with all kinds of issues, as do her friends. Through her diary entries, which are fresh and funny, thoughtful and yearning, we join her as she and her peers deal with drug abuse, rape, teen pregnancy, self-esteem and body issues, homosexuality, faith and the lack of it, and sexism. Gabi struggles to come to terms with these issues in her life, and takes the reader along for the ride. The author is obviously trying to teach a few lessons here, but is never too heavy-handed. I love Gabi's sarcastic humor and her good heart. She is definitely a character who readers will care about and root for.
Some favorite quotes:
"Family. Familia. And while familia is the glue that keeps us crazy, it is also the glue that makes us who we are."
"Never ask the fat girl if she is hungry. She's always hungry. Even if she is not, she is, because food is safe and controllable and soothing and salty and sweet, and it doesn't scream at you or make you feel bad unless you are trying on clothes."
"Cinco de Mayo! Woo! Another holiday where people get to use sombreros and fake mustaches as proof of their understanding and commitment to learning about my heritage."
"...for a lot of people, high school is it--the best time of their life. Oh my God, if high school is supposed to be the best time of my life, I'm going to have the shittiest life ever."
What kept this from being a five-star book for me was the awkward grammar and the way the Spanish was kind of unevenly integrated into the narrative. While I assume that the author used this style to make sure that Gabi's voice was authentic (and it did work) it brought me back to all the hours I have spent grading poorly edited student papers. I realize that other readers won't be as bothered by the grammar; I'm certainly glad that I read this book and will happily recommend it to teen readers.
Some favorite quotes:
"Family. Familia. And while familia is the glue that keeps us crazy, it is also the glue that makes us who we are."
"Never ask the fat girl if she is hungry. She's always hungry. Even if she is not, she is, because food is safe and controllable and soothing and salty and sweet, and it doesn't scream at you or make you feel bad unless you are trying on clothes."
"Cinco de Mayo! Woo! Another holiday where people get to use sombreros and fake mustaches as proof of their understanding and commitment to learning about my heritage."
"...for a lot of people, high school is it--the best time of their life. Oh my God, if high school is supposed to be the best time of my life, I'm going to have the shittiest life ever."
What kept this from being a five-star book for me was the awkward grammar and the way the Spanish was kind of unevenly integrated into the narrative. While I assume that the author used this style to make sure that Gabi's voice was authentic (and it did work) it brought me back to all the hours I have spent grading poorly edited student papers. I realize that other readers won't be as bothered by the grammar; I'm certainly glad that I read this book and will happily recommend it to teen readers.
Wonderful, hilarious, believable main character who is miraculously a well-written teen of color. Plus strong feminist message without being too preachy! Woah!
Review coming on the blog, but I loved this narrator and all her people. It reminded me of teaching high schoolers. I want to be Mrs. Abernand.
My review honestly sucks guys, but it's up on the blog.
My review honestly sucks guys, but it's up on the blog.