krismarley's review against another edition
4.0
I’m glad that this was adapted into a Young Readers Edition… though I think teens would benefit from having an adult reader to talk with about the decisions Reyna’s parents made.
givnuapeacesign's review against another edition
5.0
If this is the Young Reader's Edition, I cannot imagine the Adult edition. At times I was so furious with the adults in Reyna Grande's life, I wanted to hit something and throw the book. I just could not understand why her mother of all people could repeatedly abandon her children. As a midwestern white woman, my twisted mind stereotypes the Mexican father as coming to the U.S., working, sending money home, and eventually bringing the family along with him to the U.S. Yet the Grande story is so far from that truth. Abuse, poverty, cruelty over three generations was prevalent. So many casualties. Too many details to really tell any. Taken together, this tragic story, cut me to the core. Reyna eventually did overcome the trauma. Yet it was so brutal getting there, In honestly don't know how she made it..
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
A really fascinating -- and at times hard to read -- book about Reyna's journey from being left alone with her siblings in Mexico while her parents sought jobs in El Otro Lado (America) in order to help build a better life. Her story doesn't continue in a straight path though. Instead, there are many missteps, many adults who aren't worthy of trust, and finally, a few who helped Reyna achieve what it was she hoped to achieve.
This one is an emotional read. At times it drags a bit and the pacing is off near the end, where years seem to happen within a couple paragraphs. The former may be due in part to this book being adapted for a younger readership from the adult version. But this is a story about an immigrant girl, a true story, and it will resonate with many, many young readers. Reyna does do a great job making this narrative very approachable for the middle school reader.
This one is an emotional read. At times it drags a bit and the pacing is off near the end, where years seem to happen within a couple paragraphs. The former may be due in part to this book being adapted for a younger readership from the adult version. But this is a story about an immigrant girl, a true story, and it will resonate with many, many young readers. Reyna does do a great job making this narrative very approachable for the middle school reader.
readitall199's review against another edition
5.0
A heartbreaking story brilliantly told in this version adapted by the author. She begins with her childhood in Mexico living with her father’s cruel mother. Her parents have gone to El Otro Lado, or the United States, to eek a living, send back money and build a brick home of their dreams.
The strong longing Reyna has for her family is profound. The poverty she describes is hard to read and is coupled with cruelty and neglect by her grandmother.
The pacing of the story is phenomenal, she knows how to describe these moments and paint a picture of her childhood.
Eventually her mother returns, as her husband had found another woman.
Later her father returns and Reyna, her sister Mago, and brother Carlos make the dangerous trip across the border with the help of a coyote. Now they live in Los Angeles and their standard of living has improved, but her father is an alcoholic and she suffers years of abuse and terrible beatings.
She does finish high school and attend community college, and one of her teachers becomes her mentor, sharing her home and introducing Reyna to Latina and Chicano writers. The story ends with a graduation at UC Santa Cruz.
The strong longing Reyna has for her family is profound. The poverty she describes is hard to read and is coupled with cruelty and neglect by her grandmother.
The pacing of the story is phenomenal, she knows how to describe these moments and paint a picture of her childhood.
Eventually her mother returns, as her husband had found another woman.
Later her father returns and Reyna, her sister Mago, and brother Carlos make the dangerous trip across the border with the help of a coyote. Now they live in Los Angeles and their standard of living has improved, but her father is an alcoholic and she suffers years of abuse and terrible beatings.
She does finish high school and attend community college, and one of her teachers becomes her mentor, sharing her home and introducing Reyna to Latina and Chicano writers. The story ends with a graduation at UC Santa Cruz.
bibliogirl0511's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
tanyarobinson's review against another edition
3.0
I would have preferred to read the adult's edition of this book, but this is what my library owns, so... It was interesting to see what Reyna Grande wanted young readers to take from her experiences. Certainly that education is crucial to leaving poverty, that we must be resilient to overcome hardship, that even when people aren't there for you, you must keep going... Actually pretty heavy stuff, but the reality that many immigrant children face.
I was most interested in the transition she faced between her native Mexican and American culture, and the good and bad that she saw in both. I found myself so angry at her parents; I don't believe neglecting or mistreating your children is excused by anything, even poverty or the way parents were raised, so I was less than sympathetic. Overall, Reyna's book showed positive outcomes can come from tough situations with work, determination, and a little bit of luck.
3.5 stars.
I was most interested in the transition she faced between her native Mexican and American culture, and the good and bad that she saw in both. I found myself so angry at her parents; I don't believe neglecting or mistreating your children is excused by anything, even poverty or the way parents were raised, so I was less than sympathetic. Overall, Reyna's book showed positive outcomes can come from tough situations with work, determination, and a little bit of luck.
3.5 stars.
ladygetslit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
Told in short chapters that often read like vignettes, Reyna Grande shares the story of her childhood in Mexico and her journey to the United States.
I loved the raw portrayal of Reyna’s poverty in Mexico, and how hard her family fought to escape that. The stories from her childhood really shed light on why so many sacrifice everything to come to America for a better life. I also really admired the vulnerability in her description of her complicated family relationships. I found myself very angry with Reyna’s mother, who continually abandons her children in pursuit of her own desires, and Reyna’s father, who justifies his violence toward his children by reminding them what he’s given them.
This is a powerful story, especially for young people. Reyna’s continued dedication to her education makes her a good role model for young people. I could definitely see myself using this book in my classroom.
I loved the raw portrayal of Reyna’s poverty in Mexico, and how hard her family fought to escape that. The stories from her childhood really shed light on why so many sacrifice everything to come to America for a better life. I also really admired the vulnerability in her description of her complicated family relationships. I found myself very angry with Reyna’s mother, who continually abandons her children in pursuit of her own desires, and Reyna’s father, who justifies his violence toward his children by reminding them what he’s given them.
This is a powerful story, especially for young people. Reyna’s continued dedication to her education makes her a good role model for young people. I could definitely see myself using this book in my classroom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
picklesoup's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I read this book for a class and I absolutely loved it! I really felt so drawn into the story and it felt sad though I was there to experience it myself. Being able to read about immigration and multiple different issues was an enjoyable read.
I read this book for a class and I absolutely loved it! I really felt so drawn into the story and it felt sad though I was there to experience it myself. Being able to read about immigration and multiple different issues was an enjoyable read.
kobrien1014's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
Reyna Grande grew up in Mexico with an abusive grandmother when her parents moved to the US to try to earn more money. Later, her father came and got her and two of her siblings and they moved to LA. He was an alcoholic, also abusive. She struggled because of that - and also because she spoke no English but she was determined to do well in school.
I would be interested to read the original version to see how different it is from the young readers edition.
An excellent addition to a middle school collection, especially since this was the young readers edition. I think many students will be able to identify with it. And those who have not moved from another country may have a greater appreciation for those who have immigrated from somewhere else and the struggles that they may have had to go through.
I would be interested to read the original version to see how different it is from the young readers edition.
An excellent addition to a middle school collection, especially since this was the young readers edition. I think many students will be able to identify with it. And those who have not moved from another country may have a greater appreciation for those who have immigrated from somewhere else and the struggles that they may have had to go through.