xangemthelibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
This was SO wholesome. The author touches on grief, loss, and trauma in such a tender way. Rafa, Marcus, and Jennie are wonderful characters that I found so easy to root for. Most stunning of all is Rafa's natural sense of empathy and care for others. Maybe it's just because he knows, with his mom being sick and Beto's brother dealing with trauma, but whenever Marcus struggles with his PTSD, he immediately goes into empathy mode and gives Marcus exactly the space he needs to ground himself again.
Do I think that it is absolutely terrible for a 12 year old to be acting like a fully mature adult? Yeah, I do. Rafa shouldn't know what it's like to watch someone struggle with their mental health or their past. He's only 12. But I love how he has chosen to respond to the people around him. Gentle soul I want to give him a hug.
Do I think that it is absolutely terrible for a 12 year old to be acting like a fully mature adult? Yeah, I do. Rafa shouldn't know what it's like to watch someone struggle with their mental health or their past. He's only 12. But I love how he has chosen to respond to the people around him. Gentle soul I want to give him a hug.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Moderate: Medical content, Vomit, and Terminal illness
Minor: Car accident
bookdeviant's review against another edition
3.0
when you name something "the ghosts of..." I'm expecting ghosts. not whatever .... this was.
msgabbythelibrarian's review
2.0
I have many feelings about this book.
Firstly, I dislike magical realism. I like realistic fiction. I like books with magical elements. But when you start throwing in wormholes and alternative (or are they?) realities and timelines, I'm just not a fan. I was hoping we would stick with the ghosts/supernatural elements of the story.
The highlighting of both Cuban and Korean culture was brilliant. I think it's important to show different ethnicities of people working so well together as both Rafa and Jennie do in this book. From the various different languages spoken, to the homage to popular snacks, readers will learn a lot about each group of people.
The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto has a lot of difficult themes lying under the surface, not the least of which is Rafa's mom dying of cancer. How this, death of a parent, and a soldier recovering from PTSD is addressed was one of enlightening normalcy. All of the human emotions found were present; no political messages were sent. The storyline was about grief and how the ripples effect us. You can't look past that.
So why is it a two?? It's due to the genre. That made this book just okay.
Firstly, I dislike magical realism. I like realistic fiction. I like books with magical elements. But when you start throwing in wormholes and alternative (or are they?) realities and timelines, I'm just not a fan. I was hoping we would stick with the ghosts/supernatural elements of the story.
The highlighting of both Cuban and Korean culture was brilliant. I think it's important to show different ethnicities of people working so well together as both Rafa and Jennie do in this book. From the various different languages spoken, to the homage to popular snacks, readers will learn a lot about each group of people.
The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto has a lot of difficult themes lying under the surface, not the least of which is Rafa's mom dying of cancer. How this, death of a parent, and a soldier recovering from PTSD is addressed was one of enlightening normalcy. All of the human emotions found were present; no political messages were sent. The storyline was about grief and how the ripples effect us. You can't look past that.
Spoiler
It's unknown if Unknown Timeline Rafa and our character Rafa's final outcome with their mom is one and the same. The sadness of impending death does loom over the story. You feel the pain. And you know what, kids live with that also. So it is okay. <\spoiler>So why is it a two?? It's due to the genre. That made this book just okay.
evamadera1's review against another edition
4.5
I loved this book. Right from the start, Cuevas gives such a unique voice to Rafa, a middle school age boy sent to a ranch after a school prank/adventure episode gone wrong. Rafa's love of a D + D like RPG weaves into the plot where things at the ranch start going wrong almost as soon as he arrives and also helps him make sense of his world which includes his mom's battle with cancer. Most of the side characters, except his dad and his dad's friend who owns the ranch, had their own voices and struggles which enhance the story as well. I even loved the ultimate explanation for the weirdness. I highly recommend this book and am now excited to read one of my SCASL (South Carolina Association of School Librarians Book Award) books written by the same author.
mistermipsy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Perfect mix of funny and (bitter)sweet
teacher2library's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
library_kb's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I listened to this audiobook via @Libro.fm's ALC program for educators. It took a genre turn I wasn't expecting, since I went in expecting a ghost story mystery, but at the end some science fiction aspects were added in. I did like the way that was done, I just wasn't expecting it! I liked the characters and how they were developed through the story, especially Rafa and Julie. There definitely are some emotional and sad topics dealt with in this book--like death of a parent and chronic illness of a parent, as well as PTSD of a side character, and anxiety of the main character. Recommend for upper elementary and up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Death of parent