alainajreads's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
cajunliterarybelle's review
4.0
Amazingly, even with all the history courses I took in college, I don’t recall learning anything of the Zoot Suit Riots (truly, Sailor Riots) until this book. Engle beautifully used the rhyme and rhythm of poetry to create a story that surrounded the event with a family who feels so relatable and even modern to today’s social strife. Marisela presents the view of a young woman in love during the trying times of outlawed intermarriage, while her younger sister Lorena shows how difficult it was to be a young woman with professional dreams during the 40’s. Their younger brother Ray deals headfirst with the racism against Mexican Americans from sailors and officials, yet the whole time Nicolás, the oldest sibling, fights for everyone’s freedom in segregated military units against the Nazis. What a crazy time in history that sadly mirrors some events of our present. I really liked the book but hate that this was based on true events.
leigh_reidelberger's review
3.0
3.5
When I hear "Zoom Suit Riot," I immediately think of the song by the same name. I was today years old when I learned about the *real* zoot suit riots of 1943 in Los Angeles.
Jazz Owls was my introduction to this piece of American history- unfortunately yet another piece of history where White men belittle, beat, and kill anyone different than them. And that makes me really sad.
On a positive note, I really like the family story Margarita Engle creates, especially the grandmother and the sisters. Engle's poetry moves like music and I can only imagine how this book would read with some jazz playing in the background.
When I hear "Zoom Suit Riot," I immediately think of the song by the same name. I was today years old when I learned about the *real* zoot suit riots of 1943 in Los Angeles.
Jazz Owls was my introduction to this piece of American history- unfortunately yet another piece of history where White men belittle, beat, and kill anyone different than them. And that makes me really sad.
On a positive note, I really like the family story Margarita Engle creates, especially the grandmother and the sisters. Engle's poetry moves like music and I can only imagine how this book would read with some jazz playing in the background.
quiet_chaos's review
5.0
Told in verse, through many points of view, we see a glimpse into the history of Latinx folx during WWII. Despite most of our main characters being born in America, they are still seen as second class citizens. They are doing their parts for the war efforts, but this is not recognized when racial tensions escalate into all out riots: The "Zoot Suit Riots," which as our author (Cuban-American herself) tells us, should really have been called Sailor Riots.
This is a good introduction to many of the aspects of life for Latinx folx in this time period, and is relevant and age appropriate for my middles.
This is one I'll definitely buy for the classroom, and will probably try to work into Literature Circles.
This is a good introduction to many of the aspects of life for Latinx folx in this time period, and is relevant and age appropriate for my middles.
This is one I'll definitely buy for the classroom, and will probably try to work into Literature Circles.
emily_koopmann's review
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: War
ismasuraaa's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
m_marling's review
3.0
This verse novel really played with the structure and format of the words, and educated me about an event that I hadn’t previously known about. I didn’t fall in love with any of the characters (the narrators were rotating), but I did learn about these events from perspectives that I’ll remember.
nowjamie's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
yapha's review
4.0
I was unaware of this important event in Los Angeles history and am grateful to Margarita Engle for her lyrical novel which brought it to life. Recommended for grades 6 & up.