into_the_bookish_wild 's review for:

Brownstone by Samuel Teer

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This was so lovely and poignant.  Almudena navigating both her heritage and her relationship with the father she's never met before explored vulnerability and identity in such a gorgeous, heartrending way. It doesn't shy away from harsh topics. Almudena faces derogatory comments from people who don't think she's Guatemalan enough, from people who think she obviously must speak Spanish because of the way she looks. She has to parent her own parents and deal with their obliviousness to her struggles. She finally makes a friend and is then forbidden from hanging out with her because she's a lesbian. But even though her life is messy and complicated, Alumdena fights hard to make sure people are cared for and included. Everyone is constantly trying to make her fit into different boxes, and while nothing ever ends up perfect, she's able to find ways to love and be happy. It's a beautiful combination of found family and actual blood relatives that choose to learn how to be better. I've never read anything like it before, but I hope I can find more like this.