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reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
Another book in verse that was really good. Not my favorite, some parts didn't seem to follow nicely. I loved the relationship that Lupita had with her family. I was surprised at the end with her decision but I'm glad it ended the way it did.
Might be difficult for teens that don't know Spanish. I did however like the definitions in the back of the book.
Might be difficult for teens that don't know Spanish. I did however like the definitions in the back of the book.
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
Lupita is the oldest of eight children, and just beginning high school. Born in Mexico, she and her parents immigrated to Texas when she was a six years old and have lived in Eagle Pass ever since. They are a close-knit family and Lupe does all she can as the oldest to help her mother care for the younger children. Like all teens she has to find her individual voice amid the cacophony of siblings, friends and relatives, and juggle the expectations of her parents, grandparents and teachers against her own passions and fears. When her mother is diagnosed with uterine cancer the illness will forever change the family relationships. Struggling to find her own path to adulthood, and taking on more responsibility as her mother’s illness progresses, Lupita finds solace in writing poetry.
This is a semi-autobiographical novel, written entirely in verse. Presented as a journal, the story follows Lupita as she deals with high school classes, friends and teachers who don’t understand, and her desperate desire to support her mother and help her siblings as they all deal with the devastating news of Mami’s cancer.
Garcia McCall says so much with so few words! Her poetry is evocative and restrained, powerful and tender, vivid and elusive, full of sadness and joy, but mostly full of love. One quote:
Waiting for la Muerte to take Mami
is like being bound,
lying face up on the sacrificial altar
of the god Huitzilopochtli
pleading with the Aztec priest,
asking him to be kind
while he rips out my heart.
This is a semi-autobiographical novel, written entirely in verse. Presented as a journal, the story follows Lupita as she deals with high school classes, friends and teachers who don’t understand, and her desperate desire to support her mother and help her siblings as they all deal with the devastating news of Mami’s cancer.
Garcia McCall says so much with so few words! Her poetry is evocative and restrained, powerful and tender, vivid and elusive, full of sadness and joy, but mostly full of love. One quote:
Waiting for la Muerte to take Mami
is like being bound,
lying face up on the sacrificial altar
of the god Huitzilopochtli
pleading with the Aztec priest,
asking him to be kind
while he rips out my heart.
iceangel32's review against another edition
4.0
I am glad this was one of the groups I am a member of's book of the month and that I decided to pick it up and read it...even if I was a month late. I have to admit that I really enjoy books in verse. I feel that every word is important and because of that let the story holds your attention. Even thought the book only took a few hours to read it held so much: hope, love, sorrow, loss. It was the story of the first born in a family with 8 children. Lupita was very close to her mother and has to deal with her battle with cancer and during this find herself, even if it is not what is wanted by others. This book really shows what it is to be strong in a trying situation and prevail, much like the mequite. A great story that I would recommend to others.
julyborninjuly's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
rebeccarios's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
3.75
jadeeby's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published at my blog Chasing Empty Pavements
I had mixed emotions going into this novel. I noticed it was in verse and I haven't been fond of too many books written in verse yet I LOVED the subject matter. I love the Hispanic culture, language and coming of age stories, so I sort of already knew I would enjoy this novel. And enjoy it I did. It was absolutely stunning. This was an extremely short novel, I read it in about 45 minutes and so my review will be a little different because I couldn't dissect it as much as I would a normal length novel. Plus, there's not much to dissect, I absolutely fell in love with McCall's beautiful, lyrical writing. Lupita's coming of age story includes being uprooted, taunted by classmates, learning to appreciate her Mexican heritage, loss, grief and healing. McCall seamlessly meshes English and Spanish words to create a lulling, beautiful symmetrical novel. I cannot say enough positive things about this novel. It took my breath away! If you have just under an hour, then you have time to read and appreciate this novel. I give it an A!!
**I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I had mixed emotions going into this novel. I noticed it was in verse and I haven't been fond of too many books written in verse yet I LOVED the subject matter. I love the Hispanic culture, language and coming of age stories, so I sort of already knew I would enjoy this novel. And enjoy it I did. It was absolutely stunning. This was an extremely short novel, I read it in about 45 minutes and so my review will be a little different because I couldn't dissect it as much as I would a normal length novel. Plus, there's not much to dissect, I absolutely fell in love with McCall's beautiful, lyrical writing. Lupita's coming of age story includes being uprooted, taunted by classmates, learning to appreciate her Mexican heritage, loss, grief and healing. McCall seamlessly meshes English and Spanish words to create a lulling, beautiful symmetrical novel. I cannot say enough positive things about this novel. It took my breath away! If you have just under an hour, then you have time to read and appreciate this novel. I give it an A!!
**I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
firelordzuzu's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Death of parent
bookjockeybeth's review against another edition
4.0
My review on The Crimson Review of Children's & YA Literature:
Lupita, a freshman in high school, recounts the struggle her entire family faces while her mother battles cancer. Written in verse, Lupita’s voice beautifully reflects so many different aspects of her life: her Mexican-ness, her American-ness, her love for her family and the challenge of caring for so many siblings. Interspersed with Spanish to allow readers to see Lupita’s world through her eyes, McCall has brought to the life the duality of being a teenager while navigating adult spaces, as well as the duality of being Mexican and American. Readers can embrace the story and feel every emotion, as the scarcity of text uses every word effectively. Lupita’s story will resonate with young adult readers for quite some time after they close the cover. Highly Recommended.
Lupita, a freshman in high school, recounts the struggle her entire family faces while her mother battles cancer. Written in verse, Lupita’s voice beautifully reflects so many different aspects of her life: her Mexican-ness, her American-ness, her love for her family and the challenge of caring for so many siblings. Interspersed with Spanish to allow readers to see Lupita’s world through her eyes, McCall has brought to the life the duality of being a teenager while navigating adult spaces, as well as the duality of being Mexican and American. Readers can embrace the story and feel every emotion, as the scarcity of text uses every word effectively. Lupita’s story will resonate with young adult readers for quite some time after they close the cover. Highly Recommended.
pacifickle's review against another edition
4.0
Read this with a group of intermediate English Language Learning adults. We were bowled over by the beautiful language found within this novel in verse. Can't wait to read more by her. Great book club read!