joyfleming's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.25
tinmanreading's review against another edition
3.0
Tw: domestic abuse, child against parent abuse, sibling against sibling abuse, off page serial killer, drugs, blackmail, arson, rioting, harassment
It’s groovy baby.
This story takes place in one of New York’s worst summers. 1977 with record heat, serial killer Son of Sam on the loose, and a literal lightening strike that sparked riots, arson, and looting.
It’s an easy read though sprinkled with Spanish that had me reaching for Google Translate quite often.
It deals with the rarely portrayed child against parent/sibling against sibling domestic abuse in a way that’s honest and frightening.
Altogether an easy read with a happy ending
It’s groovy baby.
This story takes place in one of New York’s worst summers. 1977 with record heat, serial killer Son of Sam on the loose, and a literal lightening strike that sparked riots, arson, and looting.
It’s an easy read though sprinkled with Spanish that had me reaching for Google Translate quite often.
It deals with the rarely portrayed child against parent/sibling against sibling domestic abuse in a way that’s honest and frightening.
Altogether an easy read with a happy ending
amymck05's review against another edition
4.0
This was an ok story. It's historical fiction set in 1997 in NY during women rights movement and son of sam. Plot could have been better but it has a great message.
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
Going into this, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. The thriller element wasn't as stone as I'd hoped it would be but that ended up not to matter. It was the characters, their relationships, their private lives and uncertainty of it all that had me totally hooked. I really enjoy each character and thought the different levels of relationships portrayed throughout were so interesting to follow and to be a part of. I loved the scope of different topics this book discussed. From race, to love, to family, murder, to friendships, to poverty, it had it all and more and neither subject was neglected or smoothed over. Overall this was an enjoyable reading experience of a story I hadn't expected.
helterskelliter's review against another edition
3.0
“‘If you think you’re powerless, you are.’” (230)
In 1977, Nora Lopez is seventeen years old. She lives in a shitty NYC apartment with her mom and younger brother, Hector. Her dad remarried years ago and lives with his new wife and their son uptown. He sends regular child support—usually after Nora calls to remind him.
With an absentee father and an overbearing mother, life is already difficult for Nora. She wants to be independent and free from her family’s struggles. Free from Hector.
See, her brother is not a nice guy.
Despite all their mother’s excuses for his behavior and their father’s obliviousness, there’s clearly something off about Hector.
He stopped going to school. He demands all their mother’s extra cash. He hangs out with Sergio, who makes Nora uncomfortable and who is the neighborhood’s local dealer. Hector does drugs too and sells drugs and lights things on fire with his collection of lighters. He kicks poor Tripod around, the three-legged local stray dog.
He hits their mother and shoves Nora around, threatening more violence if they say anything.
Hector is not a good person.
Somehow, he’s worse that the Son of Sam—the threat Nora is told she should be wary of in her neighborhood.
But, it’s hard to be truly afraid of a possible serial killer when your own brother has promised to hurt you in any way he can.
So, I think this is an important story about several difficult subjects, including family, community, misogyny, racism, and empowerment. This book touches upon all of these subjects and even addresses the complicated intersections of some of these issues.
If nothing else, this book introduces young readers to new ideas and concepts. For example, sometimes home is more dangerous than even the streets where a serial killer roams.
That said, I did find this book to be a shallow dive at best. It really only touches upon many of these issues. There’s not a lot of recourse in this text.
And, I say that knowing that I don’t believe the intention of this book was to be a meditation on any one of those complicated issues. This book truly feels like it’s meant to be an introductory text to bigger, systemic problems. Knowing that, it makes sense that there aren’t a lot of answers presented in this book.
Overall, I’d give it a solid 3/5. I would recommend it for any young readers who are interested in learning more about America’s complicated past and how it has—or hasn’t—grappled very with systemic issues.
In 1977, Nora Lopez is seventeen years old. She lives in a shitty NYC apartment with her mom and younger brother, Hector. Her dad remarried years ago and lives with his new wife and their son uptown. He sends regular child support—usually after Nora calls to remind him.
With an absentee father and an overbearing mother, life is already difficult for Nora. She wants to be independent and free from her family’s struggles. Free from Hector.
See, her brother is not a nice guy.
Despite all their mother’s excuses for his behavior and their father’s obliviousness, there’s clearly something off about Hector.
He stopped going to school. He demands all their mother’s extra cash. He hangs out with Sergio, who makes Nora uncomfortable and who is the neighborhood’s local dealer. Hector does drugs too and sells drugs and lights things on fire with his collection of lighters. He kicks poor Tripod around, the three-legged local stray dog.
He hits their mother and shoves Nora around, threatening more violence if they say anything.
Hector is not a good person.
Somehow, he’s worse that the Son of Sam—the threat Nora is told she should be wary of in her neighborhood.
But, it’s hard to be truly afraid of a possible serial killer when your own brother has promised to hurt you in any way he can.
So, I think this is an important story about several difficult subjects, including family, community, misogyny, racism, and empowerment. This book touches upon all of these subjects and even addresses the complicated intersections of some of these issues.
If nothing else, this book introduces young readers to new ideas and concepts. For example, sometimes home is more dangerous than even the streets where a serial killer roams.
That said, I did find this book to be a shallow dive at best. It really only touches upon many of these issues. There’s not a lot of recourse in this text.
And, I say that knowing that I don’t believe the intention of this book was to be a meditation on any one of those complicated issues. This book truly feels like it’s meant to be an introductory text to bigger, systemic problems. Knowing that, it makes sense that there aren’t a lot of answers presented in this book.
Overall, I’d give it a solid 3/5. I would recommend it for any young readers who are interested in learning more about America’s complicated past and how it has—or hasn’t—grappled very with systemic issues.
carstensena's review against another edition
4.0
For some reason this book dragged for me at first, and I put it down for days at a time. Then suddenly it worked for me and I rushed through the last third without being able to put it down. I came to enjoy the straight-forward writing and details of place and time that were just right. Not too much, not showing off, just reimagining Queens and being a teenager in that particular summer. And what a summer it was! Between the heat, the blackout, and Son of Sam...an amazing time to set a novel.
I also came to appreciate the honest depiction of a teenager who can't talk about her family problems, even with her best friend.
I'd love to read the next chapter of Nora's life. Yes, the novel ended on a positive note, but there is still so much for Nora to overcome.
I also came to appreciate the honest depiction of a teenager who can't talk about her family problems, even with her best friend.
I'd love to read the next chapter of Nora's life. Yes, the novel ended on a positive note, but there is still so much for Nora to overcome.
wormcharmer's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
sonia_reppe's review against another edition
5.0
1977 New York City. This is a famous year for NYC: Son of Sam and the famous blackout and subsequent lootings during one of the hottest nights of that year. I loved the sense of place in this--I felt like I was there. I felt Nora's dread about the serial killer who is targeting girls her age; I felt her frustration with her mother, I feared her out-of-control drug-pushing brother, and I had disco music playing in my head.
The neighborhood characters were colorful, and the writing had depth; as a Cubana-American high school graduate struggling to improve her life situation, Nora came to life. I think I could recommend this to a variety of readers, those who like books set in NYC, realistic fiction, teen protagonist, coming-of-age. Highly recommend.
The neighborhood characters were colorful, and the writing had depth; as a Cubana-American high school graduate struggling to improve her life situation, Nora came to life. I think I could recommend this to a variety of readers, those who like books set in NYC, realistic fiction, teen protagonist, coming-of-age. Highly recommend.
mama7301's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really liked this book. The historical aspect was interesting, and the characters became friends.
andymoon's review against another edition
2.0
Only picked this book up thinking the aspect of the serial killer Son of Sam would be more involved but there's not much plot-wise. Just another typical YA girl character with family issues.