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onesmartcupcake 's review for:
Gabi, a Girl in Pieces
by Isabel Quintero
Isn't it great when a book lives up to the hype? I've been hearing amazing things about this book from both general reviewers and friends & readers whose opinions I trust for a while now. I'm so glad I finally got a copy (for our library, woohoo!) and read it! I think readers might begin this novel thinking they're in for just another coming of age tale (albeit one that hits on many topics)--but they will quickly realize that this a refreshingly honest, raw, and feminist take on the truly challenging journey from adolescence into adulthood. Gabi's journey is both universal--she's trying to be a good friend, a good sibling, a good child and she's struggling to understand & determine her individual identity--and specific. Quintero purposefully explores what it means for Gabi to be Mexican American and female. She doesn't hesitate to use Spanish without constant translation or mention specific aspects of Gabi's cultural heritage or the nitty gritty realities of being brown (or not brown enough, as Gabi contemplates) in American; she has Gabi say the things that so many teenage girls have wondered about their bodies and sex--topics that are often addressed negatively or in strange roundabout ways in contemporary media. I also love the use of poetry here. Gabi is not only coming of age as a person but also as a poet in this novel and the inclusion of poetry (both Gabi's and other writers' work) feel organic.
And above all, I just love Gabi. I love her humor, her honesty, her fear, her passion, her confusion, and her determination. At points I was cheering out loud for her--in her moments of bravery and pain.
Strangely I've found when I try to talk to people about this book, if I begin by describing the plot, there's a moment of deflation in my listener. I can just see them thinking, "another novel about teenager with awful problems (addict dad, pregnant friend, etc.)--how depressing." I've realized it's better for me to just speak from my heart & gut about Gabi, saying that this is an awesome, feminist novel about a Latina girl figuring out herself, her sexuality, her body, and her future, often through poetry. Oh, and you should read it--right now. I think a lot of teens will love this novel and I think any adults who work with teens should absolutely read it.
And above all, I just love Gabi. I love her humor, her honesty, her fear, her passion, her confusion, and her determination. At points I was cheering out loud for her--in her moments of bravery and pain.
Strangely I've found when I try to talk to people about this book, if I begin by describing the plot, there's a moment of deflation in my listener. I can just see them thinking, "another novel about teenager with awful problems (addict dad, pregnant friend, etc.)--how depressing." I've realized it's better for me to just speak from my heart & gut about Gabi, saying that this is an awesome, feminist novel about a Latina girl figuring out herself, her sexuality, her body, and her future, often through poetry. Oh, and you should read it--right now. I think a lot of teens will love this novel and I think any adults who work with teens should absolutely read it.