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so_many_libros's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
hayleybeale's review against another edition
5.0
Drawing from her own experience as an Argentinian in Alabama during the watershed years when schools were integrated, the author has created a wonderful, lively, and warm-hearted story about 6th grader Lu Olivera, set in fictitious Red Grove, Alabama in 1970. See my full review here.
readsewknit's review against another edition
4.0
Lu is a sixth grader in Alabama. The year is 1970, and her school has recently desegregated. Although classes are mixed, black students sit on one side of the classroom and whites on the other. My Year in the Middle gets its title because of where Lu fits in, both literally and figuratively. Her family is from Argentina, so she sits in the middle of the room.
Lu discovers she is a skilled runner, which leads her to enter into friendship with the black student who is closest to her in skill. As Belinda and Lu begin training together to prepare for the competitive field day at the close of the school year, they become close.
Lu is forced to navigate changing friendships, societal expectations, and different cultures. The election for governor between Brewer and Wallace is a recurring topic, and Lu realized "maybe I cared more about fun stuff than right stuff." As she matures, she finds the confidence to take a stand.
At the close of the novel the author shares she also immigrated from Argentina and grew up in Alabama when the public schools desegregated, so Lu's story was impacted by Lila Quintero Weaver's experiences. It's an easy, accessible read to what can be a complicated topic.
Lu discovers she is a skilled runner, which leads her to enter into friendship with the black student who is closest to her in skill. As Belinda and Lu begin training together to prepare for the competitive field day at the close of the school year, they become close.
Lu is forced to navigate changing friendships, societal expectations, and different cultures. The election for governor between Brewer and Wallace is a recurring topic, and Lu realized "maybe I cared more about fun stuff than right stuff." As she matures, she finds the confidence to take a stand.
At the close of the novel the author shares she also immigrated from Argentina and grew up in Alabama when the public schools desegregated, so Lu's story was impacted by Lila Quintero Weaver's experiences. It's an easy, accessible read to what can be a complicated topic.
carrie123's review against another edition
4.0
A good middle grade book that discusses race relations, election, friendships, and running.
lissystrata's review against another edition
5.0
This isn’t the first book I’ve picked up at TLA that focused on things like prejudice and bigotry, and yet these topics seem increasingly relevant these days.
Argentinian immigrant Lu Olivera is in sixth grade and is facing new and interesting challenges, such as “my friends have discovered boys and makeup and I don’t see the appeal” and “I’m really good at this sport but the others mock me for it” and “I want to be friends with this girl, but she’s black and people will talk”.
Okay, that last one is only a problem if you’re in 1970s Alabama…which happens to be the case here. We’ve achieved integration here, but already like half of the white parents are transferring their kids to a fancy all-white private school across town.
Belinda is an African-American girl in Lu’s class, is a great runner, great friend, and gels excellently with Lu; even better than Lu’s current best friend, Abigail. Sadly, the problem is Alabama. In the 70s. Here, the black and white kids sit on opposite sides of the classroom, with Lu and a few others right in the middle. For those of us who are fully installed in the 21st century, the attitudes portrayed in the book are mind-boggling.
And Weaver does an excellent job establishing these historical attitudes. We are treated to a scene of Abigail dragging Lu along to a rally for George Wallace, who is running for re-election. They only wanted to go for the cakewalk, because cake, but then Wallace comes out, Confederate flags a-blazin’ with racist rhetoric and ad hominem attacks on the current governor. The more Lu listens, the more unnerved she feels because she knows this isn’t right.
That’s the heart of the story- finding the courage to stand up for what’s right and finding friends that will stand with her. Which side will she choose? Should she keep her head down and stick with the friends she has, even though they’re starting to buy into the white supremacist rhetoric? Or should she take the leap to the other side, with friends who want to change the status quo no matter what pushback they get?
I absolutely loved this book, couldn’t put it down, and it’s one I definitely want to share with my students.
Argentinian immigrant Lu Olivera is in sixth grade and is facing new and interesting challenges, such as “my friends have discovered boys and makeup and I don’t see the appeal” and “I’m really good at this sport but the others mock me for it” and “I want to be friends with this girl, but she’s black and people will talk”.
Okay, that last one is only a problem if you’re in 1970s Alabama…which happens to be the case here. We’ve achieved integration here, but already like half of the white parents are transferring their kids to a fancy all-white private school across town.
Belinda is an African-American girl in Lu’s class, is a great runner, great friend, and gels excellently with Lu; even better than Lu’s current best friend, Abigail. Sadly, the problem is Alabama. In the 70s. Here, the black and white kids sit on opposite sides of the classroom, with Lu and a few others right in the middle. For those of us who are fully installed in the 21st century, the attitudes portrayed in the book are mind-boggling.
And Weaver does an excellent job establishing these historical attitudes. We are treated to a scene of Abigail dragging Lu along to a rally for George Wallace, who is running for re-election. They only wanted to go for the cakewalk, because cake, but then Wallace comes out, Confederate flags a-blazin’ with racist rhetoric and ad hominem attacks on the current governor. The more Lu listens, the more unnerved she feels because she knows this isn’t right.
That’s the heart of the story- finding the courage to stand up for what’s right and finding friends that will stand with her. Which side will she choose? Should she keep her head down and stick with the friends she has, even though they’re starting to buy into the white supremacist rhetoric? Or should she take the leap to the other side, with friends who want to change the status quo no matter what pushback they get?
I absolutely loved this book, couldn’t put it down, and it’s one I definitely want to share with my students.
amysutton's review against another edition
5.0
As I was reading this, I couldn't help but think that middle school Amy would have LOVED this. Lu is an Argentine immigrant who has struggles with crushes, ambitions to win the field day track meet, and also struggles to stand up for what's right during the de-segregation movement in Alabama. The backdrop to all of Lu's typical struggles is the 1970 election between main candidates George Wallace and Brewer. Most of the school is in the "us vs. them" mindset and preparing to transfer to the new private school. Lu has always been open to all races, but she also has the message that immigrants should not draw attention to themselves and get involved. Throughout the book, she learns lessons of standing up for what's right, having gumption, and working hard to reach your goals.
I just loved this. It was such a solid story and had such great messages. It was also just all around entertaining with great characters.
I just loved this. It was such a solid story and had such great messages. It was also just all around entertaining with great characters.
theshenners's review against another edition
5.0
Lu is a passionate, sensitive protagonist whose personality jumps off the page. This story provides a nuanced view of racism in history and sets a great example in showing young readers how to stand up for what is right in spite of doubts and peer pressure.
saramarjorie10's review
5.0
This Middle Grade novel became better and better with each page. Weaver carefully takes the reader through Lu's journey in 1970s Alabama. Lu faces so much, from being forced to sit in the middle of her class as her Argentine descent doesn't make her black or white, to her search for the voice she knows she needs but doesn't know how to use. While this book does have a happy ending, I really enjoyed that Lu had to work for that happy ending, rather than just have it handed to her.