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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
4.5 stars
I identified with this book so much, because Julia is a lot like me in her interests and personality and everything. (And I also come from a Family-oriented culture, though my mom wasn't as relentless in her insisting that I stay somewhere nearby).
This book is an important family story, with a female friendship, and tells the story of someone who is at a different income level. It's such an important book, and Julia's hilarious first-person narration helped the story even more.
The part that felt weak, however, was the love subplot. I felt like it came out of nowhere over 100 pages in, built up too quickly, and then we get a good chunk of the book without it. A lot of underdeveloped love subplots are fine that way in my opinion, but seeing how important of a part of Julia's story this love subplot is, it shouldn't have just gone by so quickly with little development after that much buildup.
I identified with this book so much, because Julia is a lot like me in her interests and personality and everything. (And I also come from a Family-oriented culture, though my mom wasn't as relentless in her insisting that I stay somewhere nearby).
This book is an important family story, with a female friendship, and tells the story of someone who is at a different income level. It's such an important book, and Julia's hilarious first-person narration helped the story even more.
The part that felt weak, however, was the love subplot. I felt like it came out of nowhere over 100 pages in, built up too quickly, and then we get a good chunk of the book without it. A lot of underdeveloped love subplots are fine that way in my opinion, but seeing how important of a part of Julia's story this love subplot is, it shouldn't have just gone by so quickly with little development after that much buildup.
Granted, I'm partial to Adrienne Rich and Emily Dickinson–loving, angsty teenagers, but this is exactly the sort of YA novel I wish was around when I was a kid. Julia is a great character, and the story covers a wide range of heavy topics without ever feeling weighed down by them. I wish I knew more teenage girls to give this to!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
such an amazing book especially the end, i could not stop crying & the poem was just: chef’s kiss
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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 thoroughly enjoyed Julia's narrative voice. Her character is equally alive and vibrant in her witty snark as in her deep angst. I appreciated the varying perspectives: ama', Lorena, Juango, apa', the uncovered life of Olga, tia Fermina, and mama' Jacinta providing a layered view into culture clash of undocumented/traditional persons and the first-generation offspring who feel strangled by a home world that doesn't "fit" in the world outside it. Connor's character allows us the differing perspective of the have-nots confronted with the benignly ignorant haves.
Weave in elements of mystery and issues of mental health, and there's a complex and engaging tapestry to lose yourself in.
I just didn't care for the ending...it felt underdeveloped.
Weave in elements of mystery and issues of mental health, and there's a complex and engaging tapestry to lose yourself in.
I just didn't care for the ending...it felt underdeveloped.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gritty YA novel about a Chicago teen dealing with the death of her sister, the perfect daughter, in a family rife w secrets. Her undocumented parents are less than supportive, perhaps because they lack a feeling of security. By the end of the novel, Julia knows more about her not-so-perfect sister, her parents, herself. Something abt Julia’s voice didn’t quite click for me. I did rip through this, though, and enjoyed it.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes