The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas

 

Yesterday, I finished reading The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas. This fantasy novel is about Nestor Lopez, a sixth grade boy who has the ability to speak to animals. When Nestor and his mom move to New Haven, Texas, to live with his abuela while his dad is deployed in Afghanistan, he has no desire to unpack or make new friends, thinking that they'll be leaving again within a few months. Soon, though, he is invited to join the trivia club at school and learns from two of his classmates, Talib and Maria Carmen, that animals are disappearing in New Haven. With his ability, Nestor begins investigating the woods on his way to and from school and hears rumors that his grandmother is a type of witch known as a tule vieja who plans to bite one of the kidnapped animals during a solar eclipse in order to gain its powers. With a total solar eclipse rapidly approaching, Nestor and his new friends (both human and animal) must discover who the tule vieja really is and stop her from gaining more power.

I knew I would enjoy this book from the very first chapter because I thought Nestor's initial interactions with a raven that he later named Cuervito were absolutely hilarious. I also laughed at the many things that Nestor learned from animals by being able to talk to them. It was just so delightful. I also liked how Nestor trusted Talib and Maria Carmen with his secret even though he was reluctant at first to make any friends at all. Although I didn't move around as a kid as much as Nestor, I could understand why the possibility of making New Haven a home was so difficult for him. I also felt bad for him because he had to deal with the fear of losing his dad who was in Afghanistan as a member of the U.S. Army. Nestor's friendships and his relationship with his abuela are at the heart of this novel, though, and I liked how a few characters weren't who they seemed at first. I was definitely drawn in by the mystery of the tule vieja's identity and the climax of the story when Nestor and his friends face the tule vieja for the last time was thrilling. I would recommend The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez to all fantasy and animal fans.

The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert

 

Over the weekend, I finished reading The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert. This realistic fiction novel is about Alberta Freeman-Price, a twelve-year-old black girl who is starting seventh grade and loves surfing in her California hometown of Ewing Beach. Although she has long been best friends with Laramie Mason, Alberta is the only black girl in her grade and there are things about her experiences that Laramie doesn't understand. When another black girl, Edie, moves into the bread and breakfast across the street with her mom, Alberta is eager to befriend her. As they get to know each other, Alberta learns quickly that she and Edie have less in common than she expected. Edie dresses goth and misses Brooklyn, where she moved from in New York. Soon, the two girls find a box of old journals in Edie's attic and decide to solve the mystery of who wrote them, despite their differences. As Alberta befriends Edie, Laramie begins hanging out with Alberta's enemy, Nicolette McKee, despite Alberta's warnings. As change becomes a persistent presence in her life, Alberta wonders if her friendship with Laramie will survive while learning about a woman's experiences with racism from reading the journals with Edie.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I could definitely relate to Alberta's struggles with maintaining friendships in middle school and I was intrigued by the mystery of the old journals that Alberta and Edie found. I also liked how Alberta and Edie didn't have everything in common even though they're both black. I think over the course of the story they learned a lot from each other's experiences being from opposite sides of the country. In contrast, I felt like Laramie was the wild card as the story progressed. I knew Laramie trying to be friends with Nicolette wouldn't end well, but I could imagine that she felt lonely when Alberta began spending so much time with Edie. I wanted Alberta, Edie, and Laramie to find a way to be friends together, and the end of the book didn't disappoint. Additionally, the journal entries interspersed throughout the novel were one of my favorite parts and I loved how the identity of the writer was gradually revealed despite Alberta and Edie's impatience at times. I was actually surprised by the answer. The Only Black Girls in Town is a terrific story of friendship and the lengths a person will go to in pursuit of a better life. Anyone should read it.

Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

Last week, I read Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros. This realistic fiction novel is about Efrén Nava, a seventh-grade boy whose parents are undocumented even though he and his younger twin siblings, Max and Mía, were born in the U.S. One day, Efrén can't find his mother after he returns home from school and learns that she was deported to Tijuana, Mexico. When his father takes another job to earn the money to bring her back, Efrén has to look after Max and Mía. Meanwhile, at school, Efrén helps his best friend, David, with his campaign to become school president. After David's opponent, Jennifer Huerta, drops out of school when she and her mother are also deported, Efrén realizes he can't just stand by even if it means betraying David. As the days go on and Efrén deals with the challenges of taking care of his siblings, he channels his inner Soperboy to try to reunite his family.

While reading this book, I was surprised by how suspenseful it was. I just had to find out if Efrén's family would be reunited with Amá, his mother. Although I was disappointed by the ending, I thought it was realistic. I was also engaged by the conflict between Efrén and David. At the beginning, I thought they had a strong friendship, but everything changed when Efrén decided to enter the race for school president. I didn't blame David for feeling betrayed, but at the same time, I could see how he might not be the best candidate because his causes weren't exactly noble. At times, it even seemed like he treated the position as a joke. I did wonder if Efrén and David would make up, though, because I didn't want either of them to be the bad guy after I found out why David wanted to be school president. Additionally, I especially loved Efrén's relationship with his siblings, Max and Mía. It was sweet how he tried his best to take care of them like Amá would, even if he didn't always succeed. One of my favorite parts was when Max and Mía made campaign posters with Efrén to hang up at school. I even got a little teary-eyed. Overall, I enjoyed Efrén Divided. With the realistic, if not happy, ending, this book is a noteworthy choice for those going through a similar situation, but I would also recommend it to anyone who wants to read about strength of family.

Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya

 

Yesterday, I finished reading Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya. This adventurous realistic fiction novel, is about Marcus Vega, a fourteen-year-old boy who is running a business at school to earn money for his family's Cookie Monster Cash. When a bully, Stephen Hobert, targets Marcus's younger brother, Charlie, just days before spring break, Marcus punches the other boy and faces suspension. Deciding that her family needs a vacation from their life in Springfield, Pennsylvania, Marcus's mother obtains plane tickets to take them to Puerto Rico for five days. Marcus insists that they should use the trip to find his father, but his mother is reluctant because of how he left their family years ago. Armed with a camera from Danny, a boy who recently started using his business's walking services, Marcus meets the family he never knew he had while taking photos and searching all around the island for his father.

This novel was absolutely delightful to read. At the beginning, I thought it was hilarious how Marcus was using his school's rules to make money. While he does help teachers and other staff members out of generosity, his classmates pay him fees if they want him to walk them to and from school as protection from bullies (Marcus is big for his age), hold their cell phones in his locker, or not tell the principal if they litter. I also really enjoyed Marcus's relationship with Charlie, his younger brother who has Down syndrome, because of their closeness. Marcus is very protective of Charlie, and they genuinely like spending time together, which is truly wonderful. During his family's trip to Puerto Rico, it was interesting to see Marcus's feelings towards his father change. At first, he's eager, but as he gets closer to actually finding his father, he feels nervousness, doubt, and even anger about his father leaving, which is one of the most powerful moments of the book. Some of the other things I liked about the book were the people Marcus and his family meet in Puerto Rico, the misadventures that take them to different parts of the island, and Marcus's newfound love for photography using the camera Danny gave him. The end of the novel is satisfying and shows how it's not about the destination, but the journey. If you want to read a book about discovering home and identity, Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish is the perfect choice.

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 

This weekend, I read Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. This realistic fiction novel is about Della, a ten-year-old girl who has been raised by her sixteen-year-old sister, Suki. The story begins just after Della gets a tattoo of an ampersand and she reflects on what happened in her life that led up to that point. Years ago, Della and Suki ended up living with their mother's boyfriend, Clifton, after their mother had a psychotic break when she caused an explosion in their hotel room's bathroom. After Clifton touches Della inappropriately, the sisters run away to their friend Teena's house. Within days, they are put into the foster care system with a woman, Francine. Although Della struggles at school where she is bullied by a classmate, Trevor, she likes living with Francine and makes a new friend, Nevaeh. Soon, things take a heartbreaking turn when Suki tries to take her own life. In that moment, Della realizes that what Clifton did to her was only the tip of the iceberg. As the weeks go by, Della wonders who was looking out for Suki all those years and must find her voice to speak out on abuse and harassment.

This novel was such a powerful and riveting story that I couldn't stop reading. Although some parts were difficult to read, it shines a light on the important issue of child sexual abuse. I definitely appreciated that the author used humor sometimes to lighten the mood. For example, it was funny when Della substituted the word "snow" for any swear words she said when telling her story. I also loved the relationship that she had with Suki. It saddened me when Suki began to push away Della and it was terrifying how close Della got to losing Suki forever. I also enjoyed Della's relationship with Francine, Nevaeh, Coach Tony, and a deli worker at Food City, Maybelline. These four characters were definitely a great support system for Della. On the other hand, Trevor was completely annoying and I just wanted to slap him for harassing Della even though I know that violence is never the answer. Although Clifton isn't in many scenes because he was being held in jail for most of the story, he's a lingering presence due to his impact on Della and Suki. I hated him for the pain he caused them. I would recommend Fighting Words to anyone who wants to read an incredible story of sisterhood.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden

 

Last night, I finished reading The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden. This realistic fiction novel is about Zoey Albro, a seventh grade girl who has to take care of her younger siblings after school as her mom works at a pizza parlor and they live in the trailer of her mom's boyfriend, Lenny. With so much going on in her life, Zoey imagines how much easier it would be if she were an octopus. Although Zoey likes to stay under the radar at school, her social studies teacher, Ms. Rochambeau, forces her to join debate club. Zoey is initially reluctant to participate even though she decides to show up at the club meetings, but after a shooting occurs in the school parking lot, Zoey begins to see her situation at home  differently as her mom and Lenny argue regularly about money. When Zoey learns the truth about the shooting from her best friend, Fuchsia, who's living with her single mom after being in foster care, Zoey has to decide if she should speak up.

I liked reading this book more than I thought I would. There are several tough topics that come up from poverty to domestic abuse, but I was really happy that it ended on a hopeful note. Zoey is a girl who has a lot of challenges in her life because she has grown up poor and her classmates look down upon her. While I was frustrated with some of her decisions at first, I really grew to admire her by the end of the book. I especially enjoyed her relationships with her younger siblings, Bryce, Aurora, and Hector. I could see that she was really trying her best as the oldest child and I'm not sure I would be able to maintain my cool if I was in some of the same situations. I also loved the importance of the friendship between Zoey and Fuchsia because it played a huge role in the resolution of the book. Lenny was definitely my least favorite character because he manipulated Zoey's mom into thinking she was incompetent as a mother. It made me so mad as Zoey spied on their arguments, and I certainly wanted her mom to realize that they should find a way to leave Lenny before it's too late. The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a fantastic look into poverty and the debate around gun control, and I would recommend it to anyone.

The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

 

Yesterday, I finished reading The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman. This historical fiction novel is about Valentina and Oksana, two girls who don't really like each other even though they are the same age and live in the same apartment building. On a Saturday morning in April 1986, a nuclear reactor explodes at Chernobyl, where both of their fathers work. When her mother is taken to Minsk for radiation poisoning treatment, Oksana finds herself traveling on a bus for Kiev with Valentina and her mother. After she is only able to get two train tickets in Kiev, Valentina's mother decides to send the two girls to Leningrad to live with Valentina's estranged grandmother. Although Oksana is desperate to be reunited with her mother, the two girls find common ground and gradually become friends as the months go on.

I absolutely adored this book because I've long been fascinated by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and its aftermath. From the description at the beginning of the story, it seemed so terrifying with the red sky, blue smoke, and metal-tasting air. I was definitely really relieved when Valentina and Oksana were able to leave their hometown of Pripyat, Ukraine, which is still abandoned in the present day because of the radiation levels. While I liked Valentina because of her kindness and engineering skills, it was Oksana with whom I empathized the most as she came to recognize the brokenness of her family. I also loved that she was interested in drawing and painting. As I read the book, I enjoyed how Valentina and Oksana's story was interweaved with that of Rifka, a Jewish girl who had to leave Kiev with her cousin Nathan before the Germans arrived in 1941. Even though the ending is bittersweet, I thought it was beautiful how the author connected the two stories through the theme of found family. The Blackbird Girls is an amazing story of hope, courage, and friendship, and anyone who likes historical fiction should read it.