meredithmc 's review for:

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

5.0

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This book will be my new go to recommendation for teens and anyone who works with them. I was excited, sad, heartbroken, and so much more for Gabi. This is a perfect example of the kind of book the "We Need Diverse Books" campaign is talking about. While it tells the story of a young Mexican-American woman, there is something in there that anyone who is or was a teenage girl can relate to. It's not only eye-opening in its realness but might help someone with a more sheltered background to start understanding a group of people she might be unfamiliar with and open her eyes to the lives & struggles of others.

I saw some reviews that said Gabi's feminist awakening seemed heavy-handed. I'd like to counter that when you're a teenage girl (especially one whose been raised Catholic and with the idea of being a good girl thrown at you), your feminist awakening is heavy-handed. It's overwhelming and you feel it so strongly that it does affect your daily life. Gabi's burgeoning feminism read as extremely honest to me, not over-the-top at all.

Oh, and she has a supportive, creative boyfriend who is down with her feminism and isn't afraid of showing emotion. Perfect YA boyfriend.

Also, there's a zine in the book!!