A review by this_momma_is_booked
Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Natalia once again gifted us with a book that so perfectly captures the Latinx experience, particularly when you are raised in the US by immigrants (even if you are one as well). Vero hits the nail on the head so many times when she expresses how torn she feels about her identity, wondering if she's Latinx enough (spoiler: you always are) or "too American." Her battle with her parents to live her life on her terms is something I feel so deeply as I had the same battle. Vero has the added challenge of living with a disability but trying so hard to not be defined by it - a struggle so many people live with. 

I really loved how each chapter started with the definitions - words are so fluid that even though they have a dictionary definition, they can mean something different or more when put into the context of our lives. 

I would definitely recommend if you ever felt teen angst because there's lots of that here! I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what else Natalie gives us. 
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