alisarae's review against another edition
After Margot's parents discover that she went on a shopping spree with their credit cards, Margot finds herself working away her summer at her family's supermarket in the Bronx instead of partying in the Hamptons with her prep school friends. The supermarket is full of family and neighbors that Margot would rather pretend didn't exist--they are way too loud, nosy, and Puerto Rican for the image she has been cultivating at her prep school. But she has one goal in mind--an end of summer party at her crush Nick's house--and will do anything to make it there.
The voice of this book is very teen. The language is of the moment and even plot development seems like a teen contrived it (there were a lot of "That escalated quickly" moments). The cover is gorgeous and made me think the book was going to be a bit more literary or indie, but it totally isn't. Would be appropriate for readers who want to read without worrying about tough vocabulary.
The voice of this book is very teen. The language is of the moment and even plot development seems like a teen contrived it (there were a lot of "That escalated quickly" moments). The cover is gorgeous and made me think the book was going to be a bit more literary or indie, but it totally isn't. Would be appropriate for readers who want to read without worrying about tough vocabulary.
escapismforlife's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Classism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Gaslighting, and Pregnancy
bookishnicole's review against another edition
3.0
Eh, this one gets a 3 - Margot was vapid and her character development didn't happen until the last like hour and a half of an eight hour audiobook.
There was very little that was redeemable about her, and I spent the whole book waiting for her to learn something or change and it never happened.
There was very little that was redeemable about her, and I spent the whole book waiting for her to learn something or change and it never happened.
marcopoloreads's review against another edition
3.0
This book fell flat for me. The writing was just okay, and nothing stood out to me much. Literally all of the characters were extremely annoying and forgetful as well, which made me dislike this one even more. I definitely do think that there are people who will enjoy this, but I was not one of them.
kaylakaotik's review against another edition
3.0
My biggest issue with this book was Margot herself. I get flawed and unlikable characters, but she was completely self-absorbed. It was hard to see past her selfishness. While there was some character growth (less than what I would have expected) for her at the end of the book, I feel like it came too late to change my opinion of her.
There's a lot going on throughout the book as far as the story goes. It's some pretty heavy stuff: family issues, growing up, fitting in, and gentrification to name a few. The book doesn't seem busy, though, because a lot of it isn't explored as fully as one might like (recalling what happened at the beach party here).
The Education of Margot Sanchez was a decent, but predictable, book.
There's a lot going on throughout the book as far as the story goes. It's some pretty heavy stuff: family issues, growing up, fitting in, and gentrification to name a few. The book doesn't seem busy, though, because a lot of it isn't explored as fully as one might like (recalling what happened at the beach party here).
The Education of Margot Sanchez was a decent, but predictable, book.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
After Margot steals money from her family, she is forced to work at her family's grocery store. Margot wishes she could be with her rich prep school friends on summer vacation, but instead she works to hide her real life from her friends and save face in front of them. She is determined to make it to the end of the summer bash at their summer place. While at the grocery store, Margot is forced to face and confront family secrets. She sees how her father and brother treat others at the store and how they reject a local guy, Moises, who is trying to save the community from gentrification. The more time Margot spends with her family and Moises, the more she is forced to take a hard look at herself and her family.
I found this story compelling. I was intrigued by the characters and Margot grew on me. The drama that can be found in this novel compelled me along.
I found this story compelling. I was intrigued by the characters and Margot grew on me. The drama that can be found in this novel compelled me along.
k8iedid's review against another edition
4.0
I liked that Margot's was self aware about her struggles as she went through them.
pikasqueaks's review against another edition
5.0
My initial review of this book wasn't nearly expressive and expansive enough to talk about everything I really, truly loved about this book. It's been a long, long time since I've read a YA novel that didn't piss me off, make me roll my eyes excessively, or bore me with repetitive stereotypes and recycled plots and stock characters.
The thing about this book is that it DOES use some recycled concepts: weird new girl tries to fit in with the Cool Kid Crowd, loses herself, and finds herself again through a serious of eye-opening events in her life. The obsession with Ivy Leagues schools. Boys from the wrong side of the tracks who are actually more delicate than you'd think.
But all of this comes through the lens of a flawed, unlikeable and loveable protagonist who truly meant the world to me to read. She reminded me so much of myself when I was a teenager: endlessly searching for what I deserved, while at the same time endlessly trying to fit myself into boxes that didn't accommodate me.
We see Margot's eyes opening to the greater injustices of the world while still holding onto her perceived rightful place. She's smart, she's inventive, but she's just as confused as anyone else, and she makes all of the right mistakes.
Moreover, the issues touched on in this book are still raw. Gentrification -- touched on by Renee Watson in THIS SIDE OF HOME and a small handful of other books -- family secrets, and, oh my goodness, the subtle takedown of machismo. But these issues aren't the story, they're just a part of the bigger picture, and it never becomes yet another Brown Girl Lives Through Torrid Life To Come Out On top.
Thanks for this book, Lilliam.
The thing about this book is that it DOES use some recycled concepts: weird new girl tries to fit in with the Cool Kid Crowd, loses herself, and finds herself again through a serious of eye-opening events in her life. The obsession with Ivy Leagues schools. Boys from the wrong side of the tracks who are actually more delicate than you'd think.
But all of this comes through the lens of a flawed, unlikeable and loveable protagonist who truly meant the world to me to read. She reminded me so much of myself when I was a teenager: endlessly searching for what I deserved, while at the same time endlessly trying to fit myself into boxes that didn't accommodate me.
We see Margot's eyes opening to the greater injustices of the world while still holding onto her perceived rightful place. She's smart, she's inventive, but she's just as confused as anyone else, and she makes all of the right mistakes.
Moreover, the issues touched on in this book are still raw. Gentrification -- touched on by Renee Watson in THIS SIDE OF HOME and a small handful of other books -- family secrets, and, oh my goodness, the subtle takedown of machismo. But these issues aren't the story, they're just a part of the bigger picture, and it never becomes yet another Brown Girl Lives Through Torrid Life To Come Out On top.
Thanks for this book, Lilliam.
ashleyholcomb's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5