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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
While this may not have been an entirely “perfect” read for me, Julia as a character is a perfect heroine in her own way.
Julia was mouthy, disagreeable, and utterly real. She was frustrating, but in the way that so many real teenagers are. She had highs and lows, and while she wasn’t always easy to sympathize with, I never felt that her actions, relationships, and reactions rang false. Her journey to accepting herself, to understanding her sister and parents, to learning about then world beyond what she’s known, was really interesting to read. I don’t know that I’ve read a book that dealt so honestly with the complexities of a teen/parent relationship, that really delved into generational and cultural divides. Julia’s tempestuous relationship with her mother and father felt very true to life: the way their mutual trauma at Olga’s death affected them in surprising ways; Julia needing to confront the struggles and traumas her parents went through on their way to the States; her parents, and mother especially, learning that Julia needs space to live her own life, to separate herself from Olga’s complex legacy. It was all really illuminating and interesting to follow.
Erika’s Authors Note mentions Olga’s story unfolding like a page-turning mystery, though I didn’t find myself engaging with it quite that way. Julia’s evolving understanding of her sister was more engaging to me than figuring out what Olga was hiding. There were also times when Julia’s voice felt slightly more middle grade than YA — I think this was mostly due to her growth through the novel. The more immature voice in the beginning evolves into a more mature and confident one by the end. I do wish Julia’s desire to be a writer and her own work had factored in a bit more frequently — it sometimes felt like that thread was weaving in and out of the story inconsistently. While I didn’t always find every aspect of the story totally interesting (while I liked what her relationship with Connor did for her, I didn’t find him well-developed, nor did I feel some of the supporting characters were explored as well as they could have been.) I did love Julia’s relationship with Mr. Ingman, a kind, perceptive, and supportive teacher who shows her that she can desire more, and push the boundaries of what’s “expected.”
This is an excellent debut novel that is incredibly self-assured in its message, which is much more complex than it might appear at a glance. It’s a beautiful examination of the struggles that the children of immigrants can face when traditions clash.
Julia was mouthy, disagreeable, and utterly real. She was frustrating, but in the way that so many real teenagers are. She had highs and lows, and while she wasn’t always easy to sympathize with, I never felt that her actions, relationships, and reactions rang false. Her journey to accepting herself, to understanding her sister and parents, to learning about then world beyond what she’s known, was really interesting to read. I don’t know that I’ve read a book that dealt so honestly with the complexities of a teen/parent relationship, that really delved into generational and cultural divides. Julia’s tempestuous relationship with her mother and father felt very true to life: the way their mutual trauma at Olga’s death affected them in surprising ways; Julia needing to confront the struggles and traumas her parents went through on their way to the States; her parents, and mother especially, learning that Julia needs space to live her own life, to separate herself from Olga’s complex legacy. It was all really illuminating and interesting to follow.
Erika’s Authors Note mentions Olga’s story unfolding like a page-turning mystery, though I didn’t find myself engaging with it quite that way. Julia’s evolving understanding of her sister was more engaging to me than figuring out what Olga was hiding. There were also times when Julia’s voice felt slightly more middle grade than YA — I think this was mostly due to her growth through the novel. The more immature voice in the beginning evolves into a more mature and confident one by the end. I do wish Julia’s desire to be a writer and her own work had factored in a bit more frequently — it sometimes felt like that thread was weaving in and out of the story inconsistently. While I didn’t always find every aspect of the story totally interesting (while I liked what her relationship with Connor did for her, I didn’t find him well-developed, nor did I feel some of the supporting characters were explored as well as they could have been.) I did love Julia’s relationship with Mr. Ingman, a kind, perceptive, and supportive teacher who shows her that she can desire more, and push the boundaries of what’s “expected.”
This is an excellent debut novel that is incredibly self-assured in its message, which is much more complex than it might appear at a glance. It’s a beautiful examination of the struggles that the children of immigrants can face when traditions clash.
There are numerous reviews describing what the novel is about so I'll focus in on the characters and themes.
Although many reviewers found the protagonist, Julia, hard to like she is also identifiable and a lot like other 15 y.o. girls who struggle with self-identity and are 'stuck in two worlds' of a homeland country of the parents and American society (poor, urban). Julia's friends were believable and the dialogue is realistic. Family expectations were on the mark and the reader can see how these expectations are developed.
Something I found fascinating is the way the parents and extended family are portrayed. The author captured the family, their fears, hopes, and expectations. Maybe it's because I'm Latina, second-generation Mexican American, that I could identify with the culture and family dynamics the author wrote about but I think many children of immigrant parents, from countries other than Mexico, could identify and appreciate the novel.
The subjects of depression, grief, suicide attempts, first love, and self-assertion are themes explored and done well, IMHO. This is a quick read and worth the time.
Although many reviewers found the protagonist, Julia, hard to like she is also identifiable and a lot like other 15 y.o. girls who struggle with self-identity and are 'stuck in two worlds' of a homeland country of the parents and American society (poor, urban). Julia's friends were believable and the dialogue is realistic. Family expectations were on the mark and the reader can see how these expectations are developed.
Something I found fascinating is the way the parents and extended family are portrayed. The author captured the family, their fears, hopes, and expectations. Maybe it's because I'm Latina, second-generation Mexican American, that I could identify with the culture and family dynamics the author wrote about but I think many children of immigrant parents, from countries other than Mexico, could identify and appreciate the novel.
The subjects of depression, grief, suicide attempts, first love, and self-assertion are themes explored and done well, IMHO. This is a quick read and worth the time.
I have never in my life related to a characters life in such a painful way. The relationship between Julia and her mother is strikingly similar to me and my own mother, which made the read all the more emotional as I finished.
Honestly believe any daughter of Mexican immigrants, or any Hispanic/Latino children will find a part of their own rage and helplessness as with Julia.
Honestly believe any daughter of Mexican immigrants, or any Hispanic/Latino children will find a part of their own rage and helplessness as with Julia.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I read this book because some of the parents and grandparents within our local school district have targeted the book to be removed as an option for reading in one of the advanced English classes, feeling that it is inappropriate for young people to read. In "rallying the troops," they chose to quote editorial comments from some sites that I have not heard of, and given their synopsis of the book, it is evident that they did not read the book in its entirety.
I found the storyline compelling in that it addressed many of thing challenges that our young people face. It touched on self-image, mental health, sexuality, grief, ethnicity, undocumented families, and things that many wrestled with in high school.
I found the storyline compelling in that it addressed many of thing challenges that our young people face. It touched on self-image, mental health, sexuality, grief, ethnicity, undocumented families, and things that many wrestled with in high school.
Not what I expected but liked it nevertheless. I didn't really like or empathize a lot with Julia, the protagonist but as I read more, I understood her frustration and anger and her reasons for them. You can clearly see her slowly unraveling as you read. The ending felt a bit rushed though.
I'm surprised at all the glowing reviews. To me it felt forced and formulaic--bad event to start, struggling teen dealing with life gets a white boyfriend, attempts suicide, ends up in therapy. The only place I felt the novel was alive was in Julia's visit to her family in Mexico, then she returned and the entire thing wrapped up neatly as she was accepted to college and made peace with her family. Am I far too old and cynical for this book? Possibly.