I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, Acevedo expresses so much in so few words. Her poetry was brilliant with simple lines full of I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, Acevedo expresses so much in so few words. Her poetry was brilliant with simple lines full of angst and hope and love and sadness and all the things that fuel a teenage girl. But I also felt that the story was a bit limited because it was only poetry, as if we're reading X's poetry journal, and so we don't get a balanced view. Everything is skewed from X's point of view at the time she writes the poem. So all the characters (Twin, Caridad, her mother, her father, Father Sean, Ms. Galinao, Aman) are all caricatures, and in some cases, stereotypes instead of fleshed out and developed characters. And none really have a voice because all are voiced through X's interpretation.
I can see why this was an award winner. It is a powerful read, even more so for it's target demographic. 3.5 stars rounded up....more
I'm not sure what to think or how to describe what I'm feeling. This book is an interesting mix of poetry and short stories that were also poetic. TheI'm not sure what to think or how to describe what I'm feeling. This book is an interesting mix of poetry and short stories that were also poetic. The stories are not beautiful or fantastic but they are sad and real, which makes them lovely in their own way. Especially the last one, "Salt," which will stomp your heart into tiny little pieces and not apologize for it. The poetry is what really ties this collection together. ...more
A beautiful story about starting to find yourself in the midst of grief and change. This story touches on several big topics including grief, LGBTQ+, A beautiful story about starting to find yourself in the midst of grief and change. This story touches on several big topics including grief, LGBTQ+, racism, and child abuse. The happy-ish resolution of the child abuse arc definitely gave consideration to the book's target demographic because it wrapped up a bit too neat. But overall, a thoughtful and thought provoking story....more