vanessaj_1516's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
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? No
3.75
zoepagereader's review against another edition
5.0
Liliana just got into a new school in Boston. Only one issue: it’s mostly white people. And to add to the pressure, her dad got deported and is trying to sneak back into the US. This is an unfortunately necessary book right now dealing with racism and white supremacy. Loved the cover art on this book.
cocoa_puppy320's review against another edition
4.0
This book really reminded me of Piecing me together by Renee Watson. It had the same vibes as that book and a similar summary. I think that this is probably one of my favorite contemporary books of the year and im really glad I own it, cause I have a feeling I will be re reading it over and over again. Overall I think this is the perfect book for people who like books with more serious themes, but are kind of lighthearted or have lighthearted moments as well.
adfj897's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5 stars for this book because it got me to physically fist pump. It was a quick and easy read on a serious topic. It reminded me of an Immigrants and Refugees social work class I took in college. I like that it included multiple perspectives and how the issues were relevant to today. It showed how powerful social media is and how community and the sharing of stories can make a difference.
lazygal's review against another edition
5.0
What is it like to be one of the few black students at a white, upper class suburban school? Boston has a program, METCO, that takes black students from the city and buses them to the suburbs - places like Wellesley, Concord and Braintree, with means and able to provide better facilities and challenges than underfunded city schools. Liliana lives in Jamaica Plain (JP to white people) and is smart, a writer, and dealing with her father being away from home longer than usual. Then she gets into the METCO program (her father signed her up) and starts attending school in a fictitious suburb of Boston.
Lili has to deal with being separated from her friends and a comfortable environment and figuring out how to fit in with a new community. Sometimes that goes well, sometimes not so much. Watching her negotiate the different systems, making new friends and maintaining her old life, is fascinating. The title comes from the ending, where she and the other BIPOC students host an assembly of things they don't want to be asked and what bothers them about their interactions with their schoolmates.
A must read for those looking for a window or mirror into this world.
eARC provided by publisher.
Lili has to deal with being separated from her friends and a comfortable environment and figuring out how to fit in with a new community. Sometimes that goes well, sometimes not so much. Watching her negotiate the different systems, making new friends and maintaining her old life, is fascinating. The title comes from the ending, where she and the other BIPOC students host an assembly of things they don't want to be asked and what bothers them about their interactions with their schoolmates.
A must read for those looking for a window or mirror into this world.
eARC provided by publisher.
melancholylethe's review against another edition
4.0
Liliana’s story helps explore how to recognize racism and be an ally. It follows her journey as she begins a program at an elite school. How she deals with her father’s deportation, and begins to find out who she is in unexpected ways. She begins to start understanding her own culture and she how she is multi faceted. I like that everything wasn’t quite neatly tied up (the assembly for example). Liliana is a strong character, but she’s still figuring it out. I appreciate that realistic piece.
snchard's review against another edition
3.0
This would fit really well in a school curriculum for a social studies or government class. The audiobook is fantastic. The themes would probably hit exactly right for high school students, but it was a little bit heavy handed for this adult reader.
baileymorrison's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing book by an amazing author. Every high school student should read this book and so should every parent. This captured the drama, emotions, and dialect of teenagers so well.