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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I was really excited to begin reading this book because there is a lack of great literature about the Mexican-American experience. I was enthralled by the cover and its bold title. Also knowing that it was a finalist for the National Book Award helped in convincing me to take the time to read this book. I wondered perhaps if I would see my life and the life of my sisters in this book.
Some great things about this book:
-Really showed an in-depth exploration of the Mexican-American experience in Chicago even though some might be reaching stereotype level.
-The feminist and empowering attitude of the main character.
- Does keep you engaged and excited to finish the book.
Honestly, after trying to find good things to say about the book, it really is hard to state many reasons:
Julia is a difficult character to like. She has a rollercoaster of emotions. It is also really easy to feel bad for her life situation. She pretty much goes through all the hardships that a Mexican-American girl can go through in life: death, sex, weed, boyfriend, high school, suicide, language barriers. There is even the cliche part of a person finding themselves by travelling to their home country. She really looks down on a lot of people.
I really didn't like that Erika Sanchez provided a stereotypical gay character that is obsessed with hooking up and she never really brought a sense of conclusion to that character.
This is a pretty liberal novel so if you are pro-life, anti-immigrant, you will cringe in many parts of this book.
Upon finishing the book, I realized that I was not disappointed but I wouldn't really recommend it in a general sense. I would recommend it to older readers 18+ or really mature high school students. It is considered "Children's Literature" but I would not let a child anywhere near this book. I am an adult and Julia's whirlwind of emotions made me even pause a few times during this book.
Some great things about this book:
-Really showed an in-depth exploration of the Mexican-American experience in Chicago even though some might be reaching stereotype level.
-The feminist and empowering attitude of the main character.
- Does keep you engaged and excited to finish the book.
Honestly, after trying to find good things to say about the book, it really is hard to state many reasons:
Julia is a difficult character to like. She has a rollercoaster of emotions. It is also really easy to feel bad for her life situation. She pretty much goes through all the hardships that a Mexican-American girl can go through in life: death, sex, weed, boyfriend, high school, suicide, language barriers. There is even the cliche part of a person finding themselves by travelling to their home country. She really looks down on a lot of people.
I really didn't like that Erika Sanchez provided a stereotypical gay character that is obsessed with hooking up and she never really brought a sense of conclusion to that character.
This is a pretty liberal novel so if you are pro-life, anti-immigrant, you will cringe in many parts of this book.
Upon finishing the book, I realized that I was not disappointed but I wouldn't really recommend it in a general sense. I would recommend it to older readers 18+ or really mature high school students. It is considered "Children's Literature" but I would not let a child anywhere near this book. I am an adult and Julia's whirlwind of emotions made me even pause a few times during this book.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I wanted to like this more than I did. It took me some time to get into it, I wasn't connected to Julia all that much, and then things took a turn seemingly out of nowhere. While I appreciate the portrayal of mental health struggles, it felt like an afterthought.
Good representation, not bad, but not what I was hoping for.
Good representation, not bad, but not what I was hoping for.
This book frustrated me at first because of main character Julia’s grating, i-hate-everything personality, but i slowly grew to take the message of the book to heart. What a raw, tender depiction of grief, mental illness, and desire. Julia grew so much in this book, and even in the end when she is better, she still maintains that fiery personality that I grew to enjoy. I especially loved the chapters where she is in Mexico.
Around the World in 52 books challenge
Week seven: a book with a pronoun in the title
☞ 4 stars (really liked it)
Around the World in 52 books challenge
Week seven: a book with a pronoun in the title
☞ 4 stars (really liked it)
emotional
reflective
medium-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
I'm glad to have spent some time in Julia's shoes, seeing what life as a teenage child of Mexican immigrants may be like. The book also highlighted what it could be like to be a teen with anxiety and depression, and I appreciate the author doing that for her young adult readers. When I started this book I thought I'd be more enthralled by the mystery surrounding her sister's death and who she was, but that plot line ended up falling flat for me. It got a little drawn out, then forgotten, and finally tied up too quickly. Towards the end I thought the author over-explained everything that was happening, leaving little for the reader to deduce on their own, but then shied away from explaining Ama's backstory and how it impacted the family. I think there could have been a better balance there. Overall, I think this is a really great young adult book for young adults. It deals with loss, grief, mental health, sexuality, and a few different types of family issues. However, I think I've personally aged out of this book.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.6