If you know any pre-teens, run to get them this book!! I always look for sophisticated middle grade novels that my struggling high school readers and If you know any pre-teens, run to get them this book!! I always look for sophisticated middle grade novels that my struggling high school readers and English Language Learners will feel comfortable with. This is the perfect one. And it’s just as enjoyable for adults!!
Based on the author’s family history, it tells the story of 11-year-old Esther, who travels from Poland to Cuba in 1939 to join her father. As she works alongside her dad to secure passage for the rest of their family, Esther becomes familiar with her new tropical home. She meets people of all backgrounds and quickly learns how to blend her own customs with those of her new friends. Though life is not easy, Esther remains strong as they encounter antisemitism, exhausting days, and the unknown fate of her loved ones as the Nazis take over their homeland. Esther finds solace in the natural beauty of Cuba and as she discovers new parts of the island, she yearns for the family she left behind.
The story is told through letters from Esther to her younger sister, Malka. The eager, loving voice of a girl missing her sibling is heartwarming. As she recounts the details of her life, she also shares her deepest dreams and fears. Weaving real historical events with fictional ones, the author creates a vibrant picture of Cuba in 1939.
A moving coming-of-age story that deals with hardship, discrimination, WWII, antisemitism, and cultural pride. ...more
A heartbreaking, powerful book. The author paints a vivid picture of what it's like for immigrants as they make the harrowing journeys to escape to a A heartbreaking, powerful book. The author paints a vivid picture of what it's like for immigrants as they make the harrowing journeys to escape to a better life. The characters are deeply drawn and their struggles come to life as they face the devastating choice of leaving their families or living a life of danger and fear.
There is some disturbing violence and abuse, but only what's necessary to move the plot along.
An important book that creates empathy and understanding for a topic that many misunderstand. ...more
Such a moving, important story. I couldn't put this book down. Villavicencio tells the stories of undocumented immigrants in a way that made my heart Such a moving, important story. I couldn't put this book down. Villavicencio tells the stories of undocumented immigrants in a way that made my heart hurt. She highlights individual experiences and shows why it's essential to see each person as a human, and not a statistic. Heartbreaking, enlightening, inspiring--this is a must read!!...more
This quick read is like a shot of literary joy. I read it in a few hours and couldn't have loved the experience more. Cara Romero, a Dominican woman iThis quick read is like a shot of literary joy. I read it in a few hours and couldn't have loved the experience more. Cara Romero, a Dominican woman in her 50s living in Washington Heights, NYC, is in need of work after her longtime factory job was taken away from her. The book is comprised of Cara's sessions with a job counselor, during which she opens up about her life and those close to her. Snarky, practical, hilarious, and endearing, Cara is like no character I've ever come across before. Fewer than 200 pages was not enough time for me to spend with her--I want more! This cleverly structured gem is a must read!!...more
A riveting memoir about the author's experiences after coming to America from Vietnam in 1993. She recounts her family's hardships from working in theA riveting memoir about the author's experiences after coming to America from Vietnam in 1993. She recounts her family's hardships from working in their rundown apartment in Queens as laborers to her struggle to deal with her parents' traditional beliefs. She writes beautifully, painting vivid images of her surroundings and emotions. I couldn't put this one down--highly recommend!!...more
A heartwarming memoir that had me in tears several times!! It's almost 400 pages and I read it in under two days because I couldn't put it down.
JavierA heartwarming memoir that had me in tears several times!! It's almost 400 pages and I read it in under two days because I couldn't put it down.
Javier Zamora tells the story of his migration from El Salvador to the U.S. when he was nine years old. He perfectly captures the youthful spirit, fear, resilience, and courage of the child he was back in the spring of 1999. He writes with warmth and close attention to detail, giving the people alongside him dimension and the landscapes depth. I was fully immersed in his vibrant family life and harrowing migrant experience and feel a surge of compassion and love for Javier and the others he writes about.
My words can't do this unique and powerful memoir justice. It's a MUST READ and I'm going to recommend it to every student and staff member in my high school....more
This is a quick read but packed with so much atmosphere and emotion. It's a generational saga that goes from 19th-century Cuba to present-day Miami, TThis is a quick read but packed with so much atmosphere and emotion. It's a generational saga that goes from 19th-century Cuba to present-day Miami, Texas, and Mexico following the lives of women who face unthinkable challenges. Garcia's writing is beautiful; she explores themes of immigration, abuse, and family ties through the lenses of multi-faceted characters. While there is plenty of heartache, there are also sparks of hope throughout the story. A page-turner that I highly recommend....more
I finished this book on a flight home to NY and was holding in sobs as I read the last few pages. What a gorgeous story about a family from Colombia tI finished this book on a flight home to NY and was holding in sobs as I read the last few pages. What a gorgeous story about a family from Colombia torn apart by the complications of their choice to come to America. Like every powerful novel that highlights the complex details related to immigration, this one reminds us of the individual lives behind each trip. Beautiful, subtle writing that gets to the heart of the characters' emotions as they try to balance historical ties to their land with their dreams for the future....more
I’ve read many books highlighting the plight of immigrants but never have I come across one that is largely a comedic experience. One Year of Ugly is I’ve read many books highlighting the plight of immigrants but never have I come across one that is largely a comedic experience. One Year of Ugly is hilarious while also being a deep exploration of family, cultural trauma, and belonging. I never knew that a huge number of Venezuelan citizens flee to Trinidad, where they often experience discrimination by the same people who are treated with cruelty in other countries. Through the fictional Palacio family, who gets mixed up in a human trafficking scheme, the author creates vivid snapshots of family dinners, crime scenes, and details of the past. I got a glimpse of what it’s like for Latin Americans living on the island, even though most immigrants don’t have quite as much adventure as these characters!...more
Another cover that mesmerized me and another book that lived up to its cover!!
Sometimes I'm in the mood for a middle grade book and I could not have bAnother cover that mesmerized me and another book that lived up to its cover!!
Sometimes I'm in the mood for a middle grade book and I could not have been happier with my choice this past weekend. Arnold's novel is about a 10-year-old girl, Gabrielle, who immigrates to America from Haiti. When she is continually bullied at school, she decides she would do anything to fit in. So she accepts the deal when a witch offers to help her. What she does not expect is to lose everything about her culture as a result.
The story is filled with humor--there is a witty talking rat--and even as it touches on complex issues of immigration, identity, and tolerance, it is entertaining and enjoyable. The author uses magical realism to add adventure, especially at the end of the book. And there is a scene highlighting the beauty of diversity that actually brought me to tears.
A page-turning read that is not only for children!
I finished this memoir last Wednesday and have been thinking about it ever since. The author recounts her childhood growing up as an undocumented ChinI finished this memoir last Wednesday and have been thinking about it ever since. The author recounts her childhood growing up as an undocumented Chinese immigrant in America, detailing with precision each harrowing encounter she and her parents had to endure. Through the lens of a young girl--she was seven when her family came to the United States--she tells of working alongside her mother in a sweat shop, facing discrimination from students and teachers, and experiencing the constant fear that comes from not feeling safe in your supposed home. She writes with blunt honesty, revealing family conversations and intimate feelings, and her narrative is straightforward and concise, which allowed me to feel as if I had been there with her through her travails.
I had the privilege of seeing the author at a book signing at You and Me Books in New York City last night. I heard of the event the day after I finished her book and though it was on a Friday night after a long work week I pushed myself to go. I'm still flying from the experience. Not only was the bookstore one of the most warm and cozy places, but Qian's reading and her gracious answers to our questions made her book come alive in a way that goes beyond words on a page. When she pointed toward the front windows and told us that the park across the street was where she played while at P.S. 124, it was a moment of connection like no other.
In her memoir Qian also writes about how books played a large role in her life. When I asked her about her experience with librarians (one once scolded her for pushing all the books back on the shelves, which made me laugh) she expressed her gratitude to me and all librarians for what we do to promote books and reading. I'm sure I speak for librarians and readers everywhere when I say that we are grateful for Qian for courageously telling her story and helping create empathy and understanding among people all over the world.
I will never forget the images and stories in this memoir and I'm hoping to have many students and staff members in my high school read this moving story....more
What a phenomenal book. Every time I visit Jamaica I am amazed at the island’s beauty and culture. I’m also aware that as a tourist I can’t possibly uWhat a phenomenal book. Every time I visit Jamaica I am amazed at the island’s beauty and culture. I’m also aware that as a tourist I can’t possibly understand what life is really like for the people who live there. Patsy gave me an intimate look at one family’s saga, highlighting the country’s culture from the perspective of one native family.
Patsy, who lives with her evangelical mother and her 5-year-old daughter, Tru, works as a clerical worker but yearns for something more. Her best friend, Cicely, left Jamaica for New York years ago and sends letters detailing what seems like the perfect life to Patsy. When she gets a visa to America, Patsy decides to leave her family behind, entrusting Tru to her father’s care. Once in New York, things are not what she had expected and Patsy is forced to take on the only jobs available to undocumented immigrants—cleaning and childcare. In a story that spans a decade, Dennis-Benn explores the complex emotions surrounding mother/daughter relationships, feminist ideals in the context of a traditional island culture, and the sacrifices women make in order to be true to themselves.
I loved Dennis-Benn’s first book, Here Comes the Sun, and this one was just as engrossing. Though there were many times I disagreed with the choices Patsy made, I couldn’t help but love her and cheer her on. My heart broke for Tru as she grappled with her mother’s abandonment but I also appreciated the fact that the author didn’t tie up each difficult circumstance in a satisfying, easy way.
Dennis-Benn’s writing is filled with Jamaican flair, from the bits of Patois to the country’s culinary specialities. A true page-turner that I didn’t want to end!...more
I loved this book!! Jean Kwok has become one of the authors whose books are sure things for me. Her writing style is the perfect mix of storytelling, I loved this book!! Jean Kwok has become one of the authors whose books are sure things for me. Her writing style is the perfect mix of storytelling, introspection, and descriptive prose.
Searching for Sylvie Lee follows an Asian-American family who lives in Queens, NY, and is dealing with the sudden disappearance of Sylvie, the daughter who had spent her first several years of life living with relatives in the Netherlands. Told from three perspectives—Sylvie, her younger sister Amy, and their Ma—the story uncovers the internal struggles each of them has gone through. Sylvie, who came back to live with her parents when she was nine, is an overachiever who works in finance but feels like she doesn’t fit in anywhere. Amy, who is also yearning for a meaningful life, is shy and has always looked up to her older sister with awe and reverence. Ma, who sacrifices everything for her family, only wants her daughters to settle down and live with dignity. The lack of communication in the Lee household leads to secrets and misunderstandings. When Ma’s mother is dying in the Netherlands, Sylvie is the one who flies there to be by her side. While abroad, she reconnects to her cousin, Lukas, and learns details about her life that she finds hard to accept. As the truth emerges, each Lee family member is forced to face the facts and deal with the consequences of their past actions.
Romance, mystery, family dysfunction, discrimination. . .Kwok’s well-drawn characters bring these and many other issues to life....more
Finally a book that has me feeling that literary love!! The first few books I’ve read so far this year have not clicked for me so I was thrilled when Finally a book that has me feeling that literary love!! The first few books I’ve read so far this year have not clicked for me so I was thrilled when I started reading Yaa Gyasi’s latest and immediately slipped into that magical, lost-in-the-perfect-fictional-world state of mind.
In Transcendent Kingdom, Gyasi does what all my favorite authors do—creates characters that are nuanced, three dimensional, and unpredictable in a way that makes me think it’s impossible that they are not walking around somewhere in this world. Gifty, a PhD student doing neuroscience research in a lab at Stanford, is struggling to make sense of her life. Though she is praised for her academic achievements and scientific studies, she has not yet figured out how to relate to her depressed mother, who has come to stay with her at her apartment. She reflects on a childhood that mixed her parents’ Ghanian morals with the Southern culture of the Alabama town in which she was raised. As she methodically performs experiments on rats (I’m against animal testing so I didn’t love reading about these details), she relates her findings to her late brother’s drug addiction and her mother’s mental illness, striving to find answers to the questions that have weighed down her life since she was young. Reluctant to share her personal thoughts about religion, suffering, and pleasure with others, she has an active inner life but eventually must come to terms with the fact that some things in this world will never be attainable.
Gyasi's writing is beautiful and raw, going deep into philosophical ideas and behavior without being pretentious or corny. I am so attached to Gifty that I'm pretty sure she'll be inside of my head for weeks to come....more
This phenomenal debut is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Spanning generations of families, from slaves living in Jamaica to modern day Americans in HaThis phenomenal debut is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Spanning generations of families, from slaves living in Jamaica to modern day Americans in Harlem, the story captures the nuances of relationships, the weight of the past, and the ways history informs our experiences. The characters truly come to life through Card’s vibrant prose. With a touch of magical realism, and colorful local dialect, the author proves herself to be a gifted writer.
The story opens in a Harlem brownstone in 2005 where Stanford Solomon is preparing for his death. Stanford, who was born Abel Paisley in Jamaica 69 years ago, had faked his death when one of his close friends on the docks in England was killed in a tragic accident decades ago. He seized the opportunity to start a new life and left his wife and children behind in his homeland. Now he gathers three of his unsuspecting female descendants together to tell them his shocking secret and reconnect to the daughter he abandoned. The novel then turns back to 1966, when Abel, a simple man from Harold Town, a small rural area of Jamaica, is newly married to Vera, a demanding woman who insisted that her husband join the police force to give them stability. The author takes us into their daily lives and the intricacies that start to wear away the bond between two people. Once this foundation is established, the chapters alternate between time periods and characters, going from Jamaica to America and delving into the lives of Abel’s relatives and neighbors.
Card’s writing is authentic and original. In chapters where modern characters appear, the dialogue is in sync with current times. When she is focusing on scenes from Jamaica in the 1700s the Patois and interactions reflect this period perfectly. She beautifully expresses the loss and isolation that the characters encounter in all walks of life. Throughout the book, especially toward the end, she injects elements of magical realism and Island myth into the realistic aspects of the plot, adding another layer of complexity to the novel.
These Ghosts are Family is a powerful work that mixes culture, politics, history, and psychology into a fascinating world of adventure, family interactions, and sacrifice. ...more
I loved this charming YA novel about a 16-year-old girl who moves from Argentina to New Jersey and is struggling to understand English and make sense I loved this charming YA novel about a 16-year-old girl who moves from Argentina to New Jersey and is struggling to understand English and make sense of life in her new high school. Full review to come in a future issue of School Library Journal.
**SLJ Review:
Gr 9 Up–When 16-year-old Ana moves from Argentina to New Jersey, she works hard to learn English and fit in at her new high school. No matter how much effort she puts into her studies, though, she is still caught in moments of confusion, as teachers and classmates talk rapidly and sprinkle their speech with American idioms. When she meets Harrison, a handsome, blonde-haired boy in her math class, Ana begins to come out of her shell, making more of an effort to communicate. She and her new Spanish-speaking friend, Altagracia, devise a plan, and Ana happily starts worrying about the things typical to high school juniors. As Ana makes progress with English and expresses herself through her poetry, she develops a close friendship with Neo, a Greek Cypriot boy from her ESL class, who enlists her to watch 1980s movies and take trips to New York City. Just when Ana feels she is settling into life in her new country, she is forced to reevaluate her priorities. Andreu creates a realistic portrait of the obstacles facing English language learners in the United States. By cleverly blocking out portions of text, she mimics what language sounds like to the ears of someone who has not yet achieved fluency. Her characters are nuanced and their interactions endearing. Teenagers and adults alike will gain necessary perspective from reading this accessible story about a topic that affects millions. VERDICT An engaging novel about language, culture, and empathy. Highly recommended for all libraries....more
Cathy Park Hong blew me away with this book of essays, which reads more like a flowing memoir. Her thoughtful, intelligent perspective on different isCathy Park Hong blew me away with this book of essays, which reads more like a flowing memoir. Her thoughtful, intelligent perspective on different issues facing Asian Americans in the modern world opened up my mind in a way that critiques on race and discrimination rarely do.
Hong is a Korean American woman, whose parents immigrated from Korea in 1965 when the American immigration ban was lifted. Having grown up in Los Angeles, Hong has experienced many forms of racism, sometimes blatant slurs, other times subtle microaggressions. She discusses her "minor feelings," those that she is urged to ignore in a society where she is seen as entitled compared to people of other races. She breaks apart the stereotypes surrounding Asians in the United States and uses personal stories to illustrate the ways people unintentionally perpetuate these labels. In her opening chapter she recounts her frustration with being rejected by an Asian American therapist; another essay centers on her relationship with her two closest college friends as they all struggle to pursue art and find meaning in their lives; in one of the most startling and compelling chapters, she describes the horrific rape and murder of an Asian American artist in New York City, analyzing not only the reasons the crime was barely mentioned in the media, but also the complicated attitudes toward Asian women that were, and continue to be, discounted. Not only does Hong infuse these stories with deep, introspective ideas and reflections, but she presents them alongside detailed chronicles of the complex history of Korea, America, and the ways in which past events influence the current paradigms.
I may have to read Minor Feelings again in order to get the full meaning of some of the author's brilliant investigations into her own observations and the actions of others. These essays are timely and important discussions about race, identity, and culture....more
Sometimes books seem to find me. I had no idea that this beautiful novel had anything to do with grief when I picked it up. Ever since my dog died lasSometimes books seem to find me. I had no idea that this beautiful novel had anything to do with grief when I picked it up. Ever since my dog died last week, I've been trying hard to get through the pain. Reading this book was like a therapy session. Though there was sadness in it, the prose was uplifting and inspiring. Alvarez finds words for the mysteries of life, the complexities of human relationships, and the ways we try to make sense of the world around us.
Antonia Vega, whose family came to America from the Dominican Republic years ago, recently retired from her job as a teacher of literature at the local college. Her husband, Sam, died from an aortic aneurysm on his way to meet his wife for a celebratory dinner. Antonia has been mourning him for almost a year and as she tries to keep herself busy in her small Vermont town, she contemplates her life and reminisces about Sam, sometimes talking to him about her dilemmas. She has close knit relationships with her three sisters but her siblings bring much drama into her life. When one of the sisters goes missing, Antonia helps the other two investigate what happened to Izzy, whom they suspect is suffering from bipolar disorder. In the midst of this crisis, a Mexican worker from her neighbor's farm enlists Antonia's help in bringing his girlfriend to Vermont. When the young girl arrives, she is pregnant and in desperate need of someone to guide her. Antonia, who wrestles with defining her obligations to others, offers her assistance and sets the girl up with a doctor at the local clinic. As Antonia navigates the chaos around her, she relies on her inner strength to face the unimaginable, proving to herself that life continues to go on even in the darkest times.
Alvarez's writing is stunning, her sentences like intriguing works of art. There is an indescribable tone running through the narrative that is both soothing and engaging. If I'm not doing a good job of explaining her writing style, it's because I am at a loss for words. Sometimes, a book is so intelligent, well-written, and profound that I know I can't possibly do it justice with my words. This is one of those times....more
When I first began reading this book I had a hard time connecting with the characters and writing style. It may have been because I was on a 10 hour dWhen I first began reading this book I had a hard time connecting with the characters and writing style. It may have been because I was on a 10 hour drive on the way home from dropping my daughter off for her freshman year at college. And the radio was blasting. Not the ideal atmosphere to get lost in a book. I persisted and though I never fell in love with the experimental writing style, I eventually became fully invested in the lives of the characters.
The novel highlights the stories of 12 black women living in England. Among them are a lesbian playwright, a successful businesswoman, a lifelong farmer, and a transgender man. Each of the characters is connected in ways that are revealed as the book progresses. The women face circumstances that make them question their identities and force them to confront their goals and decisions. Some go through devastating personal losses, others deal with discrimination in the work place, and all grapple with their feelings of what it means to be a woman.
While some of the chapters intrigued me more than others (I loved Hattie’s story the most), they all have unique plot lines that introduce the reader to some aspect of English or worldly culture. As for the writing style, I’m not sure why the absence of punctuation is necessary. Sometimes this strategy lends itself to a sense of flow, but the writing itself is presented in a linear enough way that I don’t think having periods would have taken away from the momentum. The style also maintained a superficial quality that lacked the depth I crave. I wanted to know more about these women’s stories and get further into their thoughts and ideas. Sometimes it felt like the passages were catalogues of a life and not the immersive experience I enjoy most in fiction.
Despite my criticisms, I did find myself unable to stop reading and was fascinated by these women and their lives. Evaristo has written a powerful fictional commentary that incorporates many different aspects of the female experience....more
Mother Land was probably as close to a perfect reading experience for me as it gets. I usually enjoy books that take place in India, but Franquin’s wrMother Land was probably as close to a perfect reading experience for me as it gets. I usually enjoy books that take place in India, but Franquin’s writing was...I’m finding it hard to find a word to match how I feel about it--it's that good.
Rachel, a Jewish woman who lives in New York, moves to Mumbai with her new Indian husband, Dhrum. Though she had high expectations of living an adventurous life in a foreign country, Rachel struggles as she tries to find where she fits in to this new world, one in which her husband is completely at ease. When she answers the door one day to find her mother-in-law, Swati, standing there, she is shocked to hear that she has left her husband and has traveled from Kolkata to stay with them. Dhruv takes off on a business trip for a month, leaving Rachel alone with his mother. With Rachel barely able to make sense of her own life, she is suddenly spending her energy defending her ideas to her traditional mother-in-law, who takes it upon herself to hire a cook and take over her apartment as if it is hers. As the days go by, however, Rachel and Swati begin to realize that their fears and dreams are not that different. The women forge a relationship and work together to help each other face the things that are preventing them from being themselves.
Franqui's sentences strike a satisfying balance of descriptive details and introspective thoughts. Her style gives off a warmth and coziness that not many authors achieve. There is an understated intelligence to her prose that makes her words seem simple, yet they manage to pinpoint each human emotion with force. The interactions between Rachel and Swati are poignant, and at times hilarious. Through their dialogue and thoughts, Franqui makes compelling statements about cultural rituals, feminism, female desire, and gender disparities.
I only wish this book went on for another hundred pages--definitely one of my favorites of 2020 so far.
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