You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
kbranfield 's review for:
How to Build a Heart
by Maria Padian
4.5 stars.
How to Build a Heart by Maria Padian is a poignant, humorous young adult novel of self discovery.
Sixteen year old Isabella "Izzy" Crawford, her Mami and younger brother Jack have moved from place to place ever since her beloved, larger than life father died in Iraq six years earlier. The family now lives in a mobile home park and she and Jack attend a private Catholic school. While she is best friends with neighbor Roz Jenkins, Izzy does not allow her two very disparate worlds to collide. Partly because Roz is extremely vocal about her opinions of her wealthy classmates. And partly because she does not want her wealthier school friends to know where she lives. But Izzy's unexpected friendship with fellow a capella singer Aubrey Shackelton puts her in an uncomfortable position as she keeps the truth about herself carefully hidden. Her life is further complicated when her family is selected for a new home by Habitat for Humanity. Putting in sweat equity is no problem, but putting her face and family story out into the world for all her friends to see? Not. A. Chance.
Izzy is a smart young woman who wants to please her mom but she is grappling with her sense of self. She is compassionate and caring, yet she runs from her problems instead of facing them head on. This tendency leads to a huge problem between her and Roz when Izzy hides something very important from her friend. When she can no longer keep the truth about herself from being revealed, Izzy runs to her father's family. Will she find the answers she is searching for within her estranged extended family?
Roz is a little wild and a lot resentful of her wealthier classmates. Her home life is incredibly dysfunctional and the Crawfords are a safe haven when things spiral out of control. Izzy is quick to defend Roz to Mami, who thinks she is not a good influence on her daughter. Will their friendship survive the changes occurring in Izzy's life?
How to Build a Heart is a heartwarming novel with a wonderful cast of diverse characters. Izzy undergoes a great deal of growth as she works to reconcile her conflicted feelings about herself, her family and her place in the world. Mami is a strict but strong role model for her children. There is also a slight romantic element to the storyline when Izzy's relationship with a friend takes an unexpected turn. Maria Padian brings this charming novel to heartfelt and uplifting conclusion. I highly recommend this enchanting young adult novel teen and adult readers.
How to Build a Heart by Maria Padian is a poignant, humorous young adult novel of self discovery.
Sixteen year old Isabella "Izzy" Crawford, her Mami and younger brother Jack have moved from place to place ever since her beloved, larger than life father died in Iraq six years earlier. The family now lives in a mobile home park and she and Jack attend a private Catholic school. While she is best friends with neighbor Roz Jenkins, Izzy does not allow her two very disparate worlds to collide. Partly because Roz is extremely vocal about her opinions of her wealthy classmates. And partly because she does not want her wealthier school friends to know where she lives. But Izzy's unexpected friendship with fellow a capella singer Aubrey Shackelton puts her in an uncomfortable position as she keeps the truth about herself carefully hidden. Her life is further complicated when her family is selected for a new home by Habitat for Humanity. Putting in sweat equity is no problem, but putting her face and family story out into the world for all her friends to see? Not. A. Chance.
Izzy is a smart young woman who wants to please her mom but she is grappling with her sense of self. She is compassionate and caring, yet she runs from her problems instead of facing them head on. This tendency leads to a huge problem between her and Roz when Izzy hides something very important from her friend. When she can no longer keep the truth about herself from being revealed, Izzy runs to her father's family. Will she find the answers she is searching for within her estranged extended family?
Roz is a little wild and a lot resentful of her wealthier classmates. Her home life is incredibly dysfunctional and the Crawfords are a safe haven when things spiral out of control. Izzy is quick to defend Roz to Mami, who thinks she is not a good influence on her daughter. Will their friendship survive the changes occurring in Izzy's life?
How to Build a Heart is a heartwarming novel with a wonderful cast of diverse characters. Izzy undergoes a great deal of growth as she works to reconcile her conflicted feelings about herself, her family and her place in the world. Mami is a strict but strong role model for her children. There is also a slight romantic element to the storyline when Izzy's relationship with a friend takes an unexpected turn. Maria Padian brings this charming novel to heartfelt and uplifting conclusion. I highly recommend this enchanting young adult novel teen and adult readers.