A review by cocacolor
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I wasn't a huge fan of Acevedo's first novel in verse, which was about poetry itself, but freed from the conceit of poetry about poetry, her writing soars in CLAP WHEN YOU LAND. The descriptions of Puerto Plata are immersive, the characters are richly drawn and even characters like Papi, whose deception touches off the plot, and Wilson, who asks for money, are treated with compassion and love, and the difference of opportunity between two sisters living in different countries, with different citizenship papers, is stark. Some themes, like (trigger warning)
Yahaira's reaction to her assault and her sexuality
, are not explored as deeply as I would like, and it seems that Camino gets the bulk of the character development and change. But overall, this is a hugely moving, rich, and satisfying story.
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