Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

 

Over the weekend, I read Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango. This realistic fiction novel in verse is about Iveliz Margarita Snow Medina, a twelve-year-old seventh-grade girl who is coping with depression and anger issues. After her grandmother Mimi moves in from Puerto Rico, Iveliz is determined to make this school year better than the year before. She wants to make a new friend and stop getting in trouble at school, but it is challenging, especially when people keep saying things that make her mad and frustrated. Life isn't much easier at home either. Although Mimi has Alzheimer's, she doesn't understand why Iveliz needs to take medication for her mental health issues. While she is able to write her thoughts down in the new journal that her mom Mami gave her, she struggles to explain her feelings to others and sometimes keeps secrets.

Although the title reminded me of a show I watched when I was a kid (Clarissa Explains It All), I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book. I liked how the pages actually looked like a lined journal and the illustrations were a nice touch, but the story itself ended up being so much more. This book was heartbreaking and, at times, a little heavy. Iveliz is really struggling and she doesn't think others will understand, so she bottles it up inside and lashes out when everything gets to be too much. While I enjoyed how Iveliz bonded with Mimi through gardening, it really frustrated me how she didn't understand how medication was helping Iveliz. I wasn't surprised when their relationship reached the boiling point. Additionally, I could understand the challenges that Iveliz faced with making and maintaining friendships because she has miscommunication issues with her friend Amir and new friend Akiko when explaining her thoughts and feelings doesn't come easily to her. What broke my heart the most was the major reveal of what happened to Iveliz to cause her depression. I knew something huge had happened, but I wasn't exactly sure what because the hints were vague. Overall, I did enjoy reading Iveliz Explains It All because Iveliz herself is likeable and her story shows how both medication and therapy can help a young person who is dealing with depression. The backmatter includes an author's note and resources. I'd recommend this book to anyone, but especially middle school students who feel alone in their struggles.

The Love Report 1 by BeKa & Maya

 

Yesterday, I read The Love Report by BeKa & Maya. This romantic graphic novel is about Lola and Grace, best friends who have different viewpoints about love and romance. Living with her mom, Lola has a crush on Noah and wants to know why he's been avoiding her, while Grace's longest relationship lasted ten days and her parents have been fighting. Although they have their differences, they both have a lot of questions about love. After watching a romantic comedy, they decide to investigate love at their middle school and record their findings in a notebook as a report. Lola and Grace get started by asking a classmate, Charlie, about the different couples at their school, and over the course of a week, they learn why the most popular girl, Felicity, doesn't have a boyfriend, an eighth grade girl, Adele, has a reputation, and couples break up. Then, as the weeks go by, they experience love, new friendships, and heartbreak.

For the most part, I thought this graphic novel was adorable. Like Lola, I've always enjoyed romantic comedies, so I could relate to her fascination with romance and wanting to know more about why some relationships work out and others don't. I could also understand Grace's skepticism about romance because of what she was experiencing at home with her parents arguing. Furthermore, I appreciated getting to know their classmates better, especially Felicity and Adele. I thought it was so cool that Felicity was interested in space and becoming an astrophysicist because I love astronomy, too. It was easy to see why she didn't want to date anyone who just liked her for her looks and didn't know anything else about her. Additionally, I thought Adele's story was particularly moving because it broke my heart that the first boy she ever kissed took things too far and then started rumors about her. I liked how she didn't want Lola and Grace to make the same mistakes she did and wished that the adults in her life had cared enough to help. The only thing that disappointed me was the relationship between Lola and Noah. I didn't really like how it distracted Lola from what was going on with Grace and her parents and it showed how love can take over your life when you're young. While I had hoped that Lola and Noah would be a positive example of middle school romance, I think what actually happened was important to Lola's character growth and demonstrating the importance of friendship. I particularly enjoyed how Grace got closer to Adele in that time. As for the illustrations, they were absolutely gorgeous. The vivid colors were like a feast for my eyes, and I loved the details in the hair and outfits. I could definitely see Maya's inspiration from manga. Overall, The Love Report is a sweet choice for anyone who likes romance and friendship stories, and it's the first book of a series.

Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling

 

Yesterday, I finished reading Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling. This adventurous and fantastical graphic novel is about JJ and Althea, first generation Filipino siblings who are struggling to fit in at school. While JJ has a crush on Haley P, one of the most popular girls in school, Althea's group of friends ditched her because they thought she was too weird. It doesn't make matters any easier that they have to help their parents run the the family food truck and listen to their mom's lessons from Filipino folklore. After their uncle, Tito Arvin, shows up at their home to warn them that they are in danger, an ogre, witches, and other creatures from their mom's stories come after JJ, Althea, and their family. With the witches planning a treacherous ritual that will take place during an eclipse, JJ and Althea must embrace their heritage and save their family and the world.

This story was such a joy to read because it was humorous and felt like a celebration of Filipino culture. JJ and Althea's experiences at school were relatable and I could totally understood how embarrassing it was for them to have to help their parents with the family food truck, The Beautiful Pig. I definitely felt bad that JJ was the one who would have to actually wear the Beautiful Pig costume, especially because his family and the food truck had a gig at his crush's end-of-the-year party...so mortifying. As a fan of horror movies, I thought it was really cool that Althea enjoyed them and it made me sad when I learned that her friends chose boys over seeing one with her after her mom had already bought tickets. What I loved the most, though, was when the fantasy elements started kicking in. It was absolutely fascinating how the characters and creatures in their mom's Filipino stories turned out to be actually real and I was so excited when their mom revealed that she has magical powers. It was even more thrilling when JJ and Althea discovered that they could use magic, too. I adored the final battle towards the end because it had a twist that was as surprising as it was satisfying. The backmatter of Mabuhay! includes a recipe for chicken adobo, an author's note, and a glossary of Filipino words used throughout the story. Anyone who likes fantasy, action, and adventure should read this graphic novel.

Cold War Correspondent: A Korean War Tale

 

Last night, I finished reading Cold War Correspondent: A Korean War Tale by Nathan Hale. This graphic nonfiction book is about Marguerite Higgins, a journalist who became the Far East bureau chief for the New York Herald Tribune in 1950. After North Korea, with weapons from the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea and captured Seoul because they were unhappy with where the border was drawn after World War II, Marguerite was trapped in enemy territory when the bridges over the Han River were blown up. Although she was constantly told that women weren't supposed to be on the frontlines, she risked her life and fought for her right to record what was happening. She even appealed to General Douglas MacArthur who reversed the ban on female war correspondents. Covering some of the key moments of the first year of the Korean War, she was the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for outstanding international reporting in American journalism.

This was such a fantastic graphic nonfiction book! I had never heard of Marguerite Higgins before, so it was especially compelling reading her story about being a female war correspondent during the Korean War. It also particularly piqued my interest because both of my grandfathers had fought during the Korean War and I don't know much about the experience (nor can I ask because they have both passed away in the time since). Her story was incredibly action-packed and it was enlightening that she faced both life-threatening situations and men challenging her authority to report on the war. I thought it was amazing that she ended up having the complete support of General MacArthur. Additionally, I enjoyed the humor of the narrators, Nathan Hale, E. Pluribus Hangman, Bill Richmond, the Provost, and a fictionalized version of Marguerite Higgins herself. The illustrations were so detailed and it felt fitting that they were in black, white, and shades of yellow. In the back of the book, readers can find a bibliography, photos of Marguerite Higgins, and statistics. I'd recommend Cold War Correspondent to anyone who has an interest in war history and/or women's history.

Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod

 

Last week, I read Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod. This graphic memoir is about the author, Kathy, when she was eleven years old. Growing up with a Thai mother and an American father, Kathy feels like she's a part of two different worlds. Although she lives in Bangkok, Thailand, most of the time, she looks forward to summer vacations when her family travels twenty-four hours straight to a tiny seaside town in Maine where her dad's family lives and she can have clam chowder and blueberry pie. This particular summer, she is going to summer camp for three weeks for the first time. She's very excited initially, but when she gets there, she struggles to fit in no matter how hard she tries because she doesn't look like the other kids or know everything about America they know. Lonely and dealing with low self-esteem, she wonders if she'll ever find a place she truly belongs.

This book was such a moving story. I could relate to Kathy's excitement to be going on a vacation and felt bad for her when camp didn't end up being as fun as she thought it would be. I was glad that she had the support of her camp counselor Bri, though, because some of the other girls at the camp could be downright cruel at times. I also liked that she was able to find a couple of girls with whom to play Mad Libs because that was something I enjoyed doing with my best friends when I was around the same age. I thought the dynamic of Kathy's family was interesting because her parents were older and it seemed like she was a bit distant from her mom. As someone who was close to both of her parents growing up, that made me quite sad. I loved her relationship with her dad, though. It was cool how she created newsletters and could share them with him. However, my absolute favorite scene was when she got back from summer camp and celebrated the Fourth of July with her dad's family. It reminded me of my childhood when I celebrated that holiday, along with my grandpa's birthday (which was the same day), with my mom's family. The end of this graphic memoir was satisfying, and I loved the message it sent about how important it is to be kind to yourself. Additionally, I felt like I learned more about what life is like when you grow up as a part of two different cultures. The artwork is cute and I thought the color scheme was particularly soothing as I was reading. It is colorful, but not overly bright. At the end of the book, there is an afterword, photos of Kathy and her family, and some of the artwork she drew as a child. Continental Drifter is a terrific choice for anyone, but particularly those who are also searching for a sense of belonging or learning how to love themself.

Rising from the Ashes by Paula Yoo

 

Earlier this week, I finished reading Rising from the Ashes by Paula Yoo. This narrative nonfiction book is about the aftermath in Los Angeles after a trial in the spring of 1992 in which the jury determined that four police officers charged in the brutal beating of Rodney King, a Black man, were not guilty. Leading up to this verdict, Los Angeles had a history of racism that created economically disadvantaged neighborhoods torn by drugs and gang-related violence and tensions between the city's minority communities. Not even two weeks after Rodney King's beating in March 1991, Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old Black girl was fatally shot by Soon Ja Du, a Korean American store owner who accused her of shoplifting. During the uprising that began on April 29, 1992, businesses were looted or burned, thousands were injured, and dozens were killed, including Edward Jae Song Lee, an 18-year-old Korean American who just wanted to do something to help, instead of staying at home. In the years that followed, the five days of unrest continued to impact Los Angeles.

This book was absolutely riveting. Although I had heard about Rodney King's case and the 1992 Los Angeles riots before, I didn't know much about the details until I read Rising from the Ashes. I thought it was really interesting to learn how long racial tensions were festering in Los Angeles, and it didn't surprise me that things boiled over after there were a couple of high profile verdicts in the early 1990s in which no one felt justice was served whether they were Black or Korean American. The deaths of Latasha and Edward were senseless tragedies and devastated me to the point of tears because they were only teenagers and had their whole lives ahead of them. Not to mention, the verdict of the trial of the police officers who used excessive force against Rodney King was so utterly unfair because they severely injured him and it really was the straw that broke the camel's back for the city. It's been enlightening reading several books over the last few years, showing how racism hasn't just been in the southern United States. It's been everywhere in the country and a critical part of American history. The backmatter includes an author's note, a list of those who died in the Los Angeles riots, notes, a bibliography, credits, and an index. Anyone who has an interest in the history of racial relationships in the United States should read Rising from the Ashes.

Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar and Louder than Hunger by John Schu

 

Last week, I read Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar. This historical fiction novel is about four girls from different generations of the same Jewish family beginning in 1492 and ending in 2003. During the Spanish Inquisition in Toledo, Benvenida's family decides to leave Spain and journey across the Mediterranean Sea to Turkey rather than convert to Catholicism. Hundreds of years later, in 1923 after the Turkish War of Independence, Reina's father ships her off to Cuba for an arranged marriage as punishment for going to a party with Sadik, a Muslim boy her own age. A few decades later, in 1961 Cuba, Reina's daughter, Alegra, is excited to teach reading and writing in the countryside as a brigadista for Fidel Castro, but as her family struggles to survive during the crackdowns on businesses, they make the difficult decision to send her to Miami all alone. Finally, in 2003 Miami, Alegra's daughter, Paloma, is fascinated by her family's past when she goes on a trip with her parents and grandmother to Spain where she can learn more about her heritage. Connected by Sephardic music and a love of learning, these four girls long for a place they can call home where everyone is welcome.

I thought this novel was breathtakingly beautiful. All four girls were lovely, and I enjoyed getting to know them over the course of their individual stories. While they do experience tragedy and heartbreak, I was struck by how courageous they were when facing the challenges of their lives. I'd especially be terrified if I was sent away from home, like Reina and Alegra were. I also really liked the inclusion of Sephardic songs because, along with some of the food they ate, these songs showed how the traditions of their family were passed down for hundreds of years and many generations. I thought that was incredible because I don't think my family has any older traditions left besides listening to older Christmas carols. What I loved the most, though, was how the story ended exactly where it began. It made me so happy that Paloma could see the Jewish quarter in Toledo, Spain, where Benvenida lived with her parents and brothers. The story really came full circle. Something I found interesting was how the language they spoke evolved over the years. Because of her roots in Turkey, Reina speaks Ladino, which preserves the old Spanish that Benvenida spoke and is considered endangered. Additionally, Across So Many Seas has backmatter that includes an author's note and sources. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys family stories and tales of courage.

Over the weekend, I read Louder than Hunger by John Schu. This novel in verse taking place from 1996 to 1998 is about Jake Stacey, a 13-year-old boy who volunteers at the nursing home by reading to Ms. Burns, likes Emily Dickinson poems, and enjoys spending time with his grandma, especially listening to the original Broadway cast recording of Into the Woods. Because of bullying at school, there's a voice in his head telling him to constantly exercise and not eat. When his parents take him to Whispering Pines for treatment, he is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and other mental health disorders. He hates it there, but as he spends more time at the facility receiving therapy, he slowly realizes that he has to stop listening to the Voice and quit punishing himself.

Wow, this book was absolutely riveting. Although it only took me two days to finish, it was a tough story to read at times, but I grew to care so much about Jake and wanted him to get well. I could relate to Jake's love for reading and musicals, and even though he occasionally had an outburst, it just seemed like he was simply a good person struggling with his mental health. I especially loved his relationship with his grandma and it was absolutely devastating when she became sick with pancreatic cancer while Jake was at Whispering Pines. My heart definitely broke for Jake because she was the only person that he felt loved him, due to his issues with his parents and at school. On the bright side, I like that Jake was able to befriend Kella, another teen at Whispering Pines. I think it was realistic that they both were in and out of the treatment facility because sometimes healing doesn't always happen in one go and failure can be a necessary step towards success. My favorite of the staff at Whispering Pines was Pedro, who facilitated art therapy, because I think he helped Jake the most in discovering self love and their relationship wasn't fraught with conflict. Louder than Hunger is the first time I've read a story about a boy who has an eating disorder and Schu does an outstanding job portraying Jake's story because he himself experienced an eating disorder when he was younger, as explained in the afterward. Additionally, there is a foreword by Kate DiCamillo before the story and a list of sources at the end. Because this book is brave and important, everyone should read it, no matter what age they are.