Scan barcode
emie_eats_books's review
4.0
This book surprised me. Not gonna lie it took a bit of adjusting to get used to the language and the setting, but after that you were laid bare to all the things it had to say about the world. It was empathetic and very fast to dish out hard realities. It was just right.
jwinchell's review
4.0
I admit to skimming because I was in a scattered political mindset and the chapters felt long. But! My own readership is not as relevant as the opportunity and access this gem provides to other readers.
manaledi's review
4.0
I've been on the look-out for good YA books with people of color protagonists and authors, especially ones that deal well with the complexities of race and poverty and language and family like this one does. Recommend.
crystal_reading's review
See my review at Rich in Color: http://richincolor.com/2015/11/review-show-and-prove/
mezzythedragon's review
3.0
The characters are well fleshed-out, but fyi, both Smiles and Nike have also spouted misogynistic and racist bs, Nike especially.
Still, it’s a compelling story, and you get the feel what it’s like to live in poverty in 1983, what with Reaganomics, the AIDS crisis, slumlords torching apartments to get the insurance money, the stigma of living with addiction, and the stigma of being on welfare. Also gets into the Israel-Lebanon crisis at that time, which does affect Sara, Nike’s crush. Good that they don’t end up together; despite Nike maturing, spouting anti-Arab bs (while not knowing Sara was Palestinian) is never okay.
Still, it’s a compelling story, and you get the feel what it’s like to live in poverty in 1983, what with Reaganomics, the AIDS crisis, slumlords torching apartments to get the insurance money, the stigma of living with addiction, and the stigma of being on welfare. Also gets into the Israel-Lebanon crisis at that time, which does affect Sara, Nike’s crush. Good that they don’t end up together; despite Nike maturing, spouting anti-Arab bs (while not knowing Sara was Palestinian) is never okay.
saritagonzalez's review
5.0
Loved it. It completely brought me back to the early 80s. I'll be thinking about Nike, Smiles and Sara for a long time. Highly recommended.
libraryleopard's review
4.0
3.5 stars. I liked it but sometimes the narrators sounded too similar (which can happen first dual books in first person a lot, I guess.) It did help fill the void The Get Down left and I really liked the final scene with Vanessa at the end.
More...