Reviews

I believe this is the first I’ve read Elizabeth Acevedo and I will be reading more. Her writing is filled with rawness and emotion but set in rhythmic cadence and prose. This story of loss surrounding a man leading a life of duality tells a story of disappointment and anger that grows into a strong new bond of sisterhood. It teaches the importance of understanding different family dynamics, of forgiveness, and of empathy. Perched upon a crashed flight and its outcome, this story describes traditions and lifestyles of The Dominican Republic and its people and how they relate to mainland America. Either printed or audio — both are fantastic!

vickibicky's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

kim_j_dare's review against another edition

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5.0

I truly don’t know how she does it.
The Poet X was masterful.
Clap When You Land, I think, goes even further.
It’s a story of tragedy that unlocks secrets.
It’s a story of two sisters who were not aware of the other’s existence.

Papi had two lives.
Papi has two daughters.

Papi was a man split in two,
playing a game against himself.

But the problem with that
is that in order to win, you also always lose.

It’s a love letter to the Dominican Republic and to New York’s Dominican communities.
It’s a study of family and flawed parents and secrets and what we’re asked to forgive.

The ways that Acevedo shapes her free verse, the parallels and the subtle differences in the layout of alternating entries from Camino and Yahaira, plumb emotional depths without feeling manipulative.

I hope, hope, hope that she’ll narrate the audio version, because the only thing better than reading Elizabeth Acevedo’s books is listening to her read them.