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A review by bethanymiller415
What Can(t) Wait by Ashley Hope Pérez
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.