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wathohuc's review
3.0
Although this Latinx young adult novella can’t be considered exceptional writing, it still moved me nonetheless. The writing wasn’t bad, and the experimentation with telling parts of the story from first, second, and third person perspectives was carried off passably well; but it was a bit predictable and formulaic in narration. The characters were fairly stock: the hardworking, frugal, but stern father; the long-suffering mother; the rebellious and stubborn, but ultimately good oldest son; the bookish, but impressionable younger brother; the troubled, but good-hearted friends; the concerned teachers, etc., all working through their problems, emotions, and struggles over the course of a single day. But in spite of that, in spite of the fact that the story was predictable, it still effectively tugged at the heartstrings in a way that was not too overly melodramatic. I think this is an old, familiar story that it never hurts to read about over and over again. It’s not great, earth-shattering literary brilliance; but it’s a nice little story and a moving, worthwhile read. If one young adult reads this and draws some meaning and comfort from it, it will have been worth it.
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