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A review by svangleboyer
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Elizabeth Acevedo has delivered another outstanding novel-in-verse that really tugs at those heartstrings and contains such a powerful and beautiful message that will stick with you well after you have finished reading it.
Clap When You Land follows the story of two sisters, Camino and Yahaira, who have never actually yet. After the tragic death of their father, both girls learn that the other exists. As the novel progresses, we see what a normal day in the life of both girls looks like, how their experience and deal with their grief, and their first actual meeting.
I really enjoyed how the author dealt with such a difficult topic as grief with a deft hand. Having lost my mother to cancer, I really related to how each girl was feeling.
I also loved learning more about the Dominican Republic culture because it isn't one that I have read a lot of. I enjoyed seeing the differences between both Dominican Republic and US customs especially in terms of a funeral.
Finally, I absolutely adored the focus on family and creating bonds. I was definitely teared up watching Camino's aunt and Yahaira's mother as they see each other again and seeing Camino and Yahaira's mother begin to form bonds and get to know each other. You could really feel the awkward moments and the feeling of resentment experienced by the various characters.
Clap When You Land is a truly wonderful masterpiece and one of the best books involving grief that I have read. I highly recommend this to everyone!!
Clap When You Land follows the story of two sisters, Camino and Yahaira, who have never actually yet. After the tragic death of their father, both girls learn that the other exists. As the novel progresses, we see what a normal day in the life of both girls looks like, how their experience and deal with their grief, and their first actual meeting.
I really enjoyed how the author dealt with such a difficult topic as grief with a deft hand. Having lost my mother to cancer, I really related to how each girl was feeling.
I also loved learning more about the Dominican Republic culture because it isn't one that I have read a lot of. I enjoyed seeing the differences between both Dominican Republic and US customs especially in terms of a funeral.
Finally, I absolutely adored the focus on family and creating bonds. I was definitely teared up watching Camino's aunt and Yahaira's mother as they see each other again and seeing Camino and Yahaira's mother begin to form bonds and get to know each other. You could really feel the awkward moments and the feeling of resentment experienced by the various characters.
Clap When You Land is a truly wonderful masterpiece and one of the best books involving grief that I have read. I highly recommend this to everyone!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault