chandraleereads's review against another edition
4.0
Overall I really liked this book, it was an emotional and thoughtful coming of age story. There were a few side character stories/descriptions that I didn’t dig as much (ex: Did Jerry’s body need to constantly be commented on?), but it was still a book I would recommend to most.
mandyist's review against another edition
DNF at 72%. I just can't deal with the extremely selfish protagonist and her best friend anymore, the caricature characters, the insta-relationship with the rabbi and with the love interest or the fact that they're rehearsing the Pesach Seder in January. I had a very similar upbringing to the main character - brought up Methodist and required to embrace my Jewish roots at 13. Unlike Nevaeh, I met great resistance from the Jewish community and I had to prove my matrilineal right to Judaism to allow me to enter the community. I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned in the book. Mostly, I wanted a book with Jewish representation and also dual-religion representation but this book wasn't the one for me.
zoya_neela's review against another edition
4.0
Born into two worlds, two traditions, two religions - where do you belong? Which one will accept you, or will you always be an outsider in both? As the world becomes 'smaller', as people live in closer proximity, children are going to come into a world that will struggle to place them in a box.
It was easy for me to relate to some of the emotions and situations that were explored in this story.
It was easy for me to relate to some of the emotions and situations that were explored in this story.
nanikeeva's review against another edition
2.0
very solid first 2/3 but then deteriorates from there
karty_v's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Honestly I HATE books that focus on racial or sexual topics simply because often times the authors make it into something cheesy or only scratch the superficial surface of the topic. However, this book (along with The Hate U Give & Dear Martin) has done an amazing job! I'm black but due to my lighter complexion I could pass. Growing up with a brown mother was hard at times. I didn't always know where i stood in the larger black community... This book did an amazing job showcasing Neveah's internal struggle.
Although i thoroughly enjoyed this book, i had several complaints:
1. Samuel's girlfriend- i understand her dad's cheating ended the marriage but Ashley's character was just so irritating. As the other woman she's trash but her manipulating Samuel and getting her dream of being a reality houswife with a show was irksome.
2. Neveah lying about her dad to Jesus- i just want this whole "I have to lie about my past to get a fresh start" trope to be done with
3. Abby & the whole posting the partially nude pic of Neveah... It seemed like it was just a plot device to usher in Neveah FINALLY using her passing platform to stand up for Jesus.
Honestly I HATE books that focus on racial or sexual topics simply because often times the authors make it into something cheesy or only scratch the superficial surface of the topic. However, this book (along with The Hate U Give & Dear Martin) has done an amazing job! I'm black but due to my lighter complexion I could pass. Growing up with a brown mother was hard at times. I didn't always know where i stood in the larger black community... This book did an amazing job showcasing Neveah's internal struggle.
Although i thoroughly enjoyed this book, i had several complaints:
1. Samuel's girlfriend- i understand her dad's cheating ended the marriage but Ashley's character was just so irritating. As the other woman she's trash but her manipulating Samuel and getting her dream of being a reality houswife with a show was irksome.
2. Neveah lying about her dad to Jesus- i just want this whole "I have to lie about my past to get a fresh start" trope to be done with
3. Abby & the whole posting the partially nude pic of Neveah... It seemed like it was just a plot device to usher in Neveah FINALLY using her passing platform to stand up for Jesus.
kristy_k's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A great coming-of-age story about a biracial teen who is trying to find her identity while navigating being a teenager. I found Navaeh real, flawed, and honest in her search for belonging.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
chyreads29's review against another edition
3.0
Mixed feelings on this one...
-I did not like how slow this book was and how melodramatic it was on every other page
-I did not like that the side characters were SO one-dimensional and really only used for Neveah's character development. ESPECIALLY hated that Jordan was only seen as the angry Black cousin that dragged Neveah every chance she got
-I did not like that Neveah's experiences with racism were so blatantly obvious and surface level
-I did like that this book features a Black/Jewish character whose story isn't reliant on state-sanctioned violence and trauma.
-I did like that Diaz didn't create a story about a biracial teen that centers Light Skin Tears™
-I did like how Neveah's mother's perspective was weaved in through diary entries
Overall, I think this book is incredibly valuable and speaks to why representation matters. It also touches on how white-passing Biracial and/or light-skinned Black folx can learn to step aside and make room for dark-skinned Black folx. We just do not get these stories often and we need more.
-I did not like how slow this book was and how melodramatic it was on every other page
-I did not like that the side characters were SO one-dimensional and really only used for Neveah's character development. ESPECIALLY hated that Jordan was only seen as the angry Black cousin that dragged Neveah every chance she got
-I did not like that Neveah's experiences with racism were so blatantly obvious and surface level
-I did like that this book features a Black/Jewish character whose story isn't reliant on state-sanctioned violence and trauma.
-I did like that Diaz didn't create a story about a biracial teen that centers Light Skin Tears™
-I did like how Neveah's mother's perspective was weaved in through diary entries
Overall, I think this book is incredibly valuable and speaks to why representation matters. It also touches on how white-passing Biracial and/or light-skinned Black folx can learn to step aside and make room for dark-skinned Black folx. We just do not get these stories often and we need more.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I bought my own copy but then got a copy on Netgalley. Yay me! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 20, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (self-identity)
Publisher: Delacorte
Synopsis: Who is Nevaeh Levitz?
Growing up in an affluent suburb of New York City, sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots. When her Black mom and Jewish dad split up, she relocates to her mom's family home in Harlem and is forced to confront her identity for the first time.
Nevaeh wants to get to know her extended family, but one of her cousins can't stand that Nevaeh, who inadvertently passes as white, is too privileged, pampered, and selfish to relate to the injustices they face on a daily basis as African Americans. In the midst of attempting to blend their families, Nevaeh's dad decides that she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of a sweet sixteen, which guarantees social humiliation at her posh private school. Even with the push and pull of her two cultures, Nevaeh does what she's always done when life gets complicated: she stays silent.
It's only when Nevaeh stumbles upon a secret from her mom's past, finds herself falling in love, and sees firsthand the prejudice her family faces that she begins to realize she has a voice. And she has choices. Will she continue to let circumstances dictate her path? Or will she find power in herself and decide once and for all who and where she is meant to be?
Review; I thought this was a very lyrical and poetic book. The book kind of just sings to you and I loved how the book was mostly about the author's own and I liked how the characters were written dependent of each other.
However, it did feel like this book didn't really have an overall plot, but it was still amazing.
Verdict: Read this now!
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 20, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (self-identity)
Publisher: Delacorte
Synopsis: Who is Nevaeh Levitz?
Growing up in an affluent suburb of New York City, sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots. When her Black mom and Jewish dad split up, she relocates to her mom's family home in Harlem and is forced to confront her identity for the first time.
Nevaeh wants to get to know her extended family, but one of her cousins can't stand that Nevaeh, who inadvertently passes as white, is too privileged, pampered, and selfish to relate to the injustices they face on a daily basis as African Americans. In the midst of attempting to blend their families, Nevaeh's dad decides that she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of a sweet sixteen, which guarantees social humiliation at her posh private school. Even with the push and pull of her two cultures, Nevaeh does what she's always done when life gets complicated: she stays silent.
It's only when Nevaeh stumbles upon a secret from her mom's past, finds herself falling in love, and sees firsthand the prejudice her family faces that she begins to realize she has a voice. And she has choices. Will she continue to let circumstances dictate her path? Or will she find power in herself and decide once and for all who and where she is meant to be?
Review; I thought this was a very lyrical and poetic book. The book kind of just sings to you and I loved how the book was mostly about the author's own and I liked how the characters were written dependent of each other.
However, it did feel like this book didn't really have an overall plot, but it was still amazing.
Verdict: Read this now!
biblioemily's review against another edition
4.0
Would maybe recommend to upper middle school with caveats about drinking