lspignese's review against another edition
3.0
I've received this ARC from the publisher through SLJ's Middle Grade Magic virtual conference in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the story of Carolina who moved with her family from Puerto Rico to upstate New York. She very much misses Puerto Rico and gets off to a little bit of a rocky start with her cousin's friends before befriending Jennifer. They all sound the summer together at a camp on a farm that becomes Important to all of them.
It was a sweet book that I liked but didn't love. I think there are some readers who will love it though and hopes it finds its way into the right hands.
This book is the story of Carolina who moved with her family from Puerto Rico to upstate New York. She very much misses Puerto Rico and gets off to a little bit of a rocky start with her cousin's friends before befriending Jennifer. They all sound the summer together at a camp on a farm that becomes Important to all of them.
It was a sweet book that I liked but didn't love. I think there are some readers who will love it though and hopes it finds its way into the right hands.
rhiannon_ling_'s review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
toryhallelujah's review against another edition
2.0
Not a *bad* story about moving and adjusting to a new life, but kinda weak, with a bunch of annoying characters doing silly things. I guess the overall message is meant to be that even people who experience prejudice are themselves prejudiced? But it came across as unbalanced and contradictory. Jennifer is the only character I liked -- everyone else was really caught up in themselves and I didn't find them very sympathetic.
shandra33's review against another edition
5.0
Love the integration of two famous poets from two cultures into the plot of the book and the main character's internal narrative. Such a beautiful metaphor for her effort to forge a new life in upstate New York without leaving behind her memories of her home in Puerto Rico or her cultural identity and practices.
Sweet book that feels equally authentic to its pre-teen narrator in both its description of fairies and of racism. Giving copies to the middle schoolers in my life!
Sweet book that feels equally authentic to its pre-teen narrator in both its description of fairies and of racism. Giving copies to the middle schoolers in my life!
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