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noriboo_16's review against another edition
it was really boring and not fun to read.
emilyreads23's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
hailey's review against another edition
4.0
The amount of diversity in this book is so refreshing for a children's book. I really enjoyed seeing Behar's point of view not only growing up as a Jewish Cuban immigrant in the US in the 60s but also seeing her personal growth while dealing with being bedridden for a year. This book does not shy away from tough subjects just a life does not either.
megbugreads's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Ableism
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
4.0
I rather liked this. I didn't realize it was semi-autobiographical until the afterword! Nice setting of time and place; great cast of varied characters.
zaphod46's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pipn_t's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
This author is so good
roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
Truly touching story of a young Cuban refugee, injured in a car accident in 1966, and confined to her bed in a body cast for 8 months. The family life is realistic and heartfelt, and Ruthie's friendships bring life to the story. As one who is eagerly awaiting the end of her own brokenness, I am grateful to live in an era in which doctors are reluctant to cast injuries. If my doctor had thought like Ruthie's, I would likely be in a full torso cast instead of a sling; she had a broken leg, but they casted both legs and hips! I struggled a bit with the theological viewpoint of this; it is unsurprising to me that the author is an anthropologist.
katherinezee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
This middle grades novel closely mirrors the author’s childhood experiences as a young girl whose Jewish family immigrated to the States from Cuba following the 1959 Revolution. Nearly all of the 30,900 Jews in Cuba fled, most to the U.S. The story begins with Ruti’s struggles to adjust to the hustle and bustle of life in New York City and to fit in at a new school. She quickly learns English and works hard to achieve academically and to make friends. Then one night after Ruti’s family were out celebrating the New Year with friends, a group of boys crash into their car, severely injuring Ruti, forcing her into a full body cast for many months. She becomes a prisoner in her own room, unable to leave her bed while her body heals. It’s hard to imagine a story could possibly be spun from such a confined main character and setting, but between the colorful characters who come to visit and the life altering lessons Ruti learns while being a prisoner in her own home, this tale was one I hated to end. Knowing that the characters are real and the events true, made this story a fascinating window into the lives of the Cuban refugees who legally immigrated into the U.S. The author’s voice has a lyricism and a lilt that cause the story to shimmer.
NOTE TO MIDDLE GRADES and SECONDARY ESOL TEACHERS:
This tale epitomizes the multicultural novel with characters who are immigrants from all parts of the globe. Religion adds another element as Ruti is not just Hispanic, but a Hispanic Jew.