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kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
For the first 50 pages or so, I had a lot of trouble connecting with the novel. But then, about the time Marisa finally gives in and talks to Alan, I started to get her. Her father is in the novel more, she starts to share her feelings more, and from then on I couldn't put down the book. I wanted her to succeed. She seemed so real with the challenges that many of our students are going through. I also loved the themes of education being the key to changing your situation and how much her teacher plays a role in her future- Ms. Ford makes an impact like we all hope we will. By the end of the novel, I was so glad that I read it.
sccubed's review against another edition
5.0
I was so impressed by What Can't Wait. I started it 24 hours ago and I've now finished it. I have been suggesting it to all of my former colleagues (all high school teachers) because it has been really hard to find good literature for young people of color. It so wonderful to read a story about a young woman who wants to do something with her life without the threat of robots, post apocalyptic America, gang war fare, threat of disappearing into the sex trade, or vampires. This was just a good classic story about a young lady who has dreams that are very different from her families dreams and her struggle to figure out how to navigate those two worlds. I would recommend this to anyone who even knows a teenager. Its well written, well paced, and ends well! Good Job, Ashley Hope Perez.
readwithpassion's review against another edition
4.0
Marisa is a Mexican American who works hard in school. She works extra hours in a part-time job to support her family and spends her extra hours taking care of her niece. She is the perfect student, daughter, girlfriend, and friend.
When catastrophe strikers her family, Marisa struggles to meet the demands of her family, who don't value academics as much as she does. They believe that working extra hours at Kroger is more important than studying and getting good grades. Marisa is forced to consider which is more important: working hard in school or meeting the demands of her family.
This is a beautifully written story that would be appreciated by all types of readers. I was drawn to the story and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it.
When catastrophe strikers her family, Marisa struggles to meet the demands of her family, who don't value academics as much as she does. They believe that working extra hours at Kroger is more important than studying and getting good grades. Marisa is forced to consider which is more important: working hard in school or meeting the demands of her family.
This is a beautifully written story that would be appreciated by all types of readers. I was drawn to the story and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it.
readerpants's review against another edition
5.0
A really lovely debut novel, thoughtful and smart. It might be on the 4/5-star cusp, but I found it so thoroughly believable and I really wanted to be reading it when I had to put it down... that pushed it over for me. Highly recommended as a solid, realistic YA read.
kblincoln's review against another edition
5.0
From the first page you meet Marissa, she is fullfiling the role of good daughter and sister. We meet her babysitting her niece, Anita, while her older sister flounces in with more complaints about her useless, partying husband. But Marissa has homework to do. She likes school, has dreams of going to University of Texas-Austin despite the rest of her siblings barely graduating high school.
Her immigrant parents are barely keeping the family afloat, and so they rely on her not only for free babysitting, but also money from her part-time job. It's hard to get Calculus tutoring when your family expects you right home after school. Things become worse when an accident happens-- and all of a sudden her beloved niece needs more care than ever before. How can Marissa even have time to fill out her application let alone keep up good grades when her father wants to her to quit high school to help the family?
This pretty much, I think, should be required reading for all public high school teachers, students, and administrative officials. If you've ever thought "well why can't she be on time" or "she's just lazy" or "he doesn't challenge himself with difficult classes" or something similar about someone in a cultural minority that values family...here's your path to understanding.
And there's a sweet, lovely romance as well, so the book was like catnip for me. A thought-provoking and readable story. You'll fall in love with Marissa, too.
Her immigrant parents are barely keeping the family afloat, and so they rely on her not only for free babysitting, but also money from her part-time job. It's hard to get Calculus tutoring when your family expects you right home after school. Things become worse when an accident happens-- and all of a sudden her beloved niece needs more care than ever before. How can Marissa even have time to fill out her application let alone keep up good grades when her father wants to her to quit high school to help the family?
This pretty much, I think, should be required reading for all public high school teachers, students, and administrative officials. If you've ever thought "well why can't she be on time" or "she's just lazy" or "he doesn't challenge himself with difficult classes" or something similar about someone in a cultural minority that values family...here's your path to understanding.
And there's a sweet, lovely romance as well, so the book was like catnip for me. A thought-provoking and readable story. You'll fall in love with Marissa, too.
allebasi80's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
really good and engaging. loved the characters. some plot points seemed underdeveloped w sudden twists, but most of it flowed realistically. realistic but feel-good portrayal of someone defying the odds and progressing despite her tough situation. also loved all the anita sections
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Ableism
saracorise's review against another edition
3.0
Review first posted on http://unautrehistoire.blogspot.com/
I don't know how I feel about Ashley Hope Perez's debut novel What Can't Wait. I liked the writing, and I liked the characters-mostly- but something bothered me about this book.
Marissa is a great girl. She works hard in school and at her job, she also works hard to please her family, even when her family seems hell bent on destroying her future. I think that's what bothered me about What Can't Wait; here was this girl, who was smart and I mean really smart, and she had big dreams. She wanted to beat the odds of her family and get a post secondary education. She did not want to be like her older sister who had a baby at 17 and was now married to a dead beat. Her family however-mainly her mother and father- did not want this for her. To them Marissa's grades were of no importance. This made me really sad. Her father would get annoyed when she left her math book on the kitchen table.
I guess my problem with is how against university Marissa's parents were, I would assume that they would want the best for her. I don't understand this concept of striving for an entry level job. I guess I am one of those 'go to university to get a better education to get a better paying job' type of people. Marissa's parents did not think more schooling was important. They thought it was her duty to work and make an income so the she could contribute to the family. They also expected her to watch her niece whenever they asked regardless of any school work that needed to be done in order for her to graduate. This really irritated me, and I found it hard to read when Marissa was being told all of this, and how sometimes she would let it get to her. She would sometimes give up and not concern herself with school at all.
I DID NOT hate this book. I liked it well enough. I don't think that I wasted my time at all while reading this story. I just felt frustrated and annoyed at Marissa's situation. I assume there are some parents who are out there who don't care what they're kids do as long as it brings in the money. This upsets me.
I don't know how I feel about Ashley Hope Perez's debut novel What Can't Wait. I liked the writing, and I liked the characters-mostly- but something bothered me about this book.
Marissa is a great girl. She works hard in school and at her job, she also works hard to please her family, even when her family seems hell bent on destroying her future. I think that's what bothered me about What Can't Wait; here was this girl, who was smart and I mean really smart, and she had big dreams. She wanted to beat the odds of her family and get a post secondary education. She did not want to be like her older sister who had a baby at 17 and was now married to a dead beat. Her family however-mainly her mother and father- did not want this for her. To them Marissa's grades were of no importance. This made me really sad. Her father would get annoyed when she left her math book on the kitchen table.
I guess my problem with is how against university Marissa's parents were, I would assume that they would want the best for her. I don't understand this concept of striving for an entry level job. I guess I am one of those 'go to university to get a better education to get a better paying job' type of people. Marissa's parents did not think more schooling was important. They thought it was her duty to work and make an income so the she could contribute to the family. They also expected her to watch her niece whenever they asked regardless of any school work that needed to be done in order for her to graduate. This really irritated me, and I found it hard to read when Marissa was being told all of this, and how sometimes she would let it get to her. She would sometimes give up and not concern herself with school at all.
I DID NOT hate this book. I liked it well enough. I don't think that I wasted my time at all while reading this story. I just felt frustrated and annoyed at Marissa's situation. I assume there are some parents who are out there who don't care what they're kids do as long as it brings in the money. This upsets me.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
2.0
More books like this need to be written. It's a story of a Latina girl who struggles like hell to follow her dream of getting an education with the reality of life -- she's got a mom and dad who need her support around the house, as well as a sister and niece who live with a less-than-stellar husband/father. What's sort of noteworthy is that it makes the points about the challenges of life as a minority without being a story about a minority character. Mari is Mari, which is the key. She's sympathetic and her challenges authentic.
However, the writing is quite weak. The passage of time is an issue in the book, too, as it's a little lopsided, leaving some issues unresolved/weakly resolved. More than that though, aside from Marisa, the characters aren't all that well developed. This is especially true in the case of her best friend. I'd have liked a lot more about the family and about the brother in law here. Tightening the characters would have added another layer of immediacy and power to Mari herself. She could have used it just a bit more, given some of the weak points. I thought the real turning point came with a letter to her teacher and the teacher's response; but as much as the teacher wanted to be Mari's advocate, well, it doesn't happen. This needed a little more pushing and pursuing because it was REALLY the moment Marisa herself changed and started to realize she was her own person. But..it doesn't.
I think this would appeal to some reluctant readers, especially those looking to read a story that they can so easily relate to.
However, the writing is quite weak. The passage of time is an issue in the book, too, as it's a little lopsided, leaving some issues unresolved/weakly resolved. More than that though, aside from Marisa, the characters aren't all that well developed. This is especially true in the case of her best friend. I'd have liked a lot more about the family and about the brother in law here. Tightening the characters would have added another layer of immediacy and power to Mari herself. She could have used it just a bit more, given some of the weak points. I thought the real turning point came with a letter to her teacher and the teacher's response; but as much as the teacher wanted to be Mari's advocate, well, it doesn't happen. This needed a little more pushing and pursuing because it was REALLY the moment Marisa herself changed and started to realize she was her own person. But..it doesn't.
I think this would appeal to some reluctant readers, especially those looking to read a story that they can so easily relate to.
bethanymiller415's review against another edition
3.0
Though she is only seventeen years old, Marisa has a lot of responsibilities. She helps take care of her niece, works part-time at Kroger, and is trying to prepare for the AP Calculus test. School is important to Marisa and she wants to go to college, but her parents – both Mexican immigrants who have very traditional views about women - don’t see the point. They rely on Marisa’s help around the house and a portion of her paycheck, and they don’t place value on her success in school. Even her best friend Brenda doesn’t really understand Marisa’s desire to go to the University of Texas and study engineering. Only her boyfriend Alan and her teacher Ms. Ford encourage her to follow her dream. As senior year comes to an end, Marisa must decide if she has the strength to leave behind everything she’s ever known and take a chance on herself.
Marisa is a likable main character, and readers will root for her to make the right choices and be successful. However, some aspects of her character are not very well developed; for instance, her love of math and calculus is stated but never really shown through actions. There is nothing new or particularly unique about this book, but the author does send a positive message that it is possible for teens to overcome obstacles and set the course for their future even when the adults in their lives are not supportive. Though Marisa’s family is not always portrayed in the most positive light, the author shows that there is a great deal of variety in Mexican American families through her depiction of Brenda and Alan’s home lives. What can’t Wait is a coming-of-age novel with a healthy dose the “teen drama” that will appeal to teen girls who are fans of realistic fiction. This novel is best suited to high school due to limited use of strong language and some sexual situations. Recommended as an additional selection especially in libraries where more fiction depicting Hispanic teens is needed.
Marisa is a likable main character, and readers will root for her to make the right choices and be successful. However, some aspects of her character are not very well developed; for instance, her love of math and calculus is stated but never really shown through actions. There is nothing new or particularly unique about this book, but the author does send a positive message that it is possible for teens to overcome obstacles and set the course for their future even when the adults in their lives are not supportive. Though Marisa’s family is not always portrayed in the most positive light, the author shows that there is a great deal of variety in Mexican American families through her depiction of Brenda and Alan’s home lives. What can’t Wait is a coming-of-age novel with a healthy dose the “teen drama” that will appeal to teen girls who are fans of realistic fiction. This novel is best suited to high school due to limited use of strong language and some sexual situations. Recommended as an additional selection especially in libraries where more fiction depicting Hispanic teens is needed.