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bookedallyear 's review for:
Gabi, a Girl in Pieces
by Isabel Quintero
This book was a rough start for me. As a high-school-English-teacher-turned-librarian, I love a good YA novel, but I do try to be a critical reader. At first, I got a strong vibe that this book was a bit more exclusive than I would have preferred. Gabi and her mom talk about the "loose white women" quite a bit, but as the story unfolds and you learn more about Gabi, it's obvious that she's trying to do right by everyone she cares about. She constantly points out that gender and race have nothing to do with what a "typical" high school teenager does, feels, and experiences. I found myself really caring about Gabi and her friends, and by the middle of the book, I really did want to keep reading to see how things go for Gabi and her senior year. Also as a teacher, I really appreciated the intimate look into the private life of a student who experiences trauma, heartbreak, and all sorts of chaos. It helps me remember that school is not the only thing going on in every student's life. I've already recommended this to several students. It's an easy read, a little profane, but fairly realistic. I wouldn't teacher it as a class novel, but I'm ordering three copies for our library and will definitely share it with many students.