A review by clkrause
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.25

WORDS:
  • stymied (pg 21)
  • caterwauled (pg 107) 
  • cassocked (pg 165) 
  • maelstrom (pg 215)
  • manacled (pg 219)
  • talisman (pg 228)
  • besotted (pg 231)
  • moxie (pg 233)
  • ailing (pg 255)
  • discomfited (pg 264)
  • infinitesimal (pg 295)

I quite seriously almost quit reading this book at page 18 because the insinuation that not only finding sombrero in a Mexican American family's trashcan, but furthermore, that finding said sombrero after A CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION, is a perfectly normal, reasonable thing to write. While yes, a sombrero likely fits the celebratory garb one might associate with Cinco de Mayo, it is largely an American holiday (it's not widely celebrated outside of Puebla in Mexico). While the holiday may have a different past regarding its celebration in the US, over recent decades (i.e. when this book takes place), it has become more and more commercialized. Is this detail plausible? Sure. But it's (at least) equally as likely that you could find the sombrero in the trashcan of one of the Padavano's Italian neighbors after a cinco de mayo celebration. It appears Napolitano lacks diversity in her staff and colleagues and/or has failed to cultivate an environment in which those who know better feel comfortable voicing such. 

*stepping off my soapbox* Once I got past page 18, I overall enjoyed the book. I had some issues with some choices made by Napolitano at a plot level, as well as how certain characters were written in/out of the story. But overall, enjoyable read. Also, the cover art is beautiful.
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