Reviews

Aniana del Mar Jumps in by Jasminne Mendez

heatherbermingham's review against another edition

4.25

I picked this up because my BFF's oldest daughter, who was a swimmer, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis early in high school so this whole book seemed like a weird coincidence. I didn't find the poetry itself as powerful as the poetry in the best novels in verse, but I did appreciate the variety in forms. I especially loved the concrete poems - for example, a poem using an analogy about a turtle being written in the shape of a turtle. I think where Mendez really shines is in how she manages to be detailed and honest about life with an invisible disease in a way that never makes the book feel like it's a A Book About Having a Disease. I'm really glad I read this, particularly because I love a kiddo who's living this same experience. 

sbloom's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

drsuzbark's review against another edition

Includes girl interested in girl relationship

kateivy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I really related to Ani as she struggled swimming, an overbearing and religious mother, and a newly diagnosed chronic illness. There were a lot of parallels between her experience and mine that spoke to me. I think, since this novel is intended to introduce younger audiences to novels told in verse, the style didn't quite work for me. I would have preferred it be told in prose OR for it to be a YA novel told in verse. 

sharpiemyshoe's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.0

bookrecsondeck's review against another edition

inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

jmwilson's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

4.0

ashylibrarian's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring 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? No

4.0

A beautiful novel in verse about a young girl who keeps her passion for swimming secret from her mother until she is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis and the only relief she finds is from the water.  

fplchildrens's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This was an incredible read and a great way to introduce or explore more poetry. The story also functions perfectly as a window or a mirror for readers allowing them to see a character with a chronic disability and to either see themselves reflected or gain insight into the struggles faced by people with disabilities. 

The novel is written in verse and broken into different poems, none longer than 2 pages. The note about poetry at the end encourages the reader to find the different formats that are used throughout the book. With it being in verse, the book is chunked into easily digestible sections which is great for newer readers and for more detailed exploration. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism

Minor: Child abuse

bobwhite37's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5