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A review by sarah_thebooknerd
Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 53%.
DNF at 53% I really tried to push through my issues with Tyler’s character in order to finish this book but after stalling and pushing off reading it for days on end I realized I’m not in a good enough headspace to see and allow the character growth for Tyler.
Tyler’s family farm is at risk after a farm injury to his father. The family hired undocumented family to come and live on the farm and help out. Mari a young Mexican girl Tyler’s age begins to have a bond with him as he gets to know her. Mari is grieving the loss of her mother- it is unknown where she is and if she is okay. She wants to write letters to try to reach out to her mother but due to the fear with being deported she is not allowed to send them. Her voice and character had me very connected to the story and wanting to know more.
Tyler finds out they are undocumented and makes comments like- I would rather lose the farm than be a bad patriot to my country. Yes he is a kid and his thinking comes from yt supremacy which is taught and learned and I’ve heard Tyler’s in my life and I think I lost patience right now with allowing for his growth because I just wish it wouldn’t have to be at the expense of a young girl who is hurting to prove the humanity of a group of people.
I get what the author is trying to say here and respect the story and book as a whole because it’s valid and it showcase a different viewpoint for middle grade aged kids. I just wish it was not at the expense of Mari having to prove herself worthy of the empathy that should be there without her having to show all of her trauma and pain.
Tyler’s family farm is at risk after a farm injury to his father. The family hired undocumented family to come and live on the farm and help out. Mari a young Mexican girl Tyler’s age begins to have a bond with him as he gets to know her. Mari is grieving the loss of her mother- it is unknown where she is and if she is okay. She wants to write letters to try to reach out to her mother but due to the fear with being deported she is not allowed to send them. Her voice and character had me very connected to the story and wanting to know more.
Tyler finds out they are undocumented and makes comments like- I would rather lose the farm than be a bad patriot to my country. Yes he is a kid and his thinking comes from yt supremacy which is taught and learned and I’ve heard Tyler’s in my life and I think I lost patience right now with allowing for his growth because I just wish it wouldn’t have to be at the expense of a young girl who is hurting to prove the humanity of a group of people.
I get what the author is trying to say here and respect the story and book as a whole because it’s valid and it showcase a different viewpoint for middle grade aged kids. I just wish it was not at the expense of Mari having to prove herself worthy of the empathy that should be there without her having to show all of her trauma and pain.