
Reach for this book when your teen is navigating the stormy waters of sudden grief, particularly if they are struggling with the discovery that a loved one was more complex and flawed than they realized. This lyrical novel in verse follows two sisters, Camino in the Dominican Republic and Yahaira in New York City, who only learn of each other's existence after their father dies in a plane crash. It is a profound exploration of blended families, the weight of secrets, and the bridge between two different cultural worlds. Parents will find this an invaluable resource for discussing the nuances of forgiveness and the reality that we can love someone while acknowledging the hurt they caused. It is best suited for mature teens due to its sophisticated handling of loss and brief references to sexual harassment and financial desperation.
The father's choice to maintain two separate families is a central point of conflict.
Themes of intense grief, betrayal, and the struggle of poverty.
A local man stalks and threatens the protagonist in the Dominican Republic.
The book deals with death and grief in a very direct, visceral way. It also touches on poverty, the threat of sexual assault (Camino is stalked by a local predator), and the moral ambiguity of a father who lived a lie. The approach is secular but deeply rooted in Dominican cultural traditions. The resolution is realistic and cautiously hopeful.
A high schooler who feels like an outsider within their own family, or a teen processing the 'complicated' death of a parent where feelings of love are mixed with anger and betrayal.
Parents should be aware of a subplot involving a character named El Cero who preys on Camino, highlighting the dangers she faces without her father's protection. The verse format makes it an accessible but intense read. A child expressing that they hate a deceased relative or feeling like their entire life was a lie after discovering a family secret.
Younger teens (14) will focus on the shock of the secret sister; older teens (17-18) will likely connect with the ways the characters grapple with the impacts of colorism, immigration policies, and socioeconomic pressures on their family and community.
Elizabeth Acevedo's masterful use of verse creates an emotional intimacy that prose often misses, making the dual perspectives feel like a rhythmic conversation across the ocean. """
Camino Rios lives in the DR, waiting for her father's annual summer visit; Yahaira Rios lives in NYC, her father's hero status already tarnished by a secret she discovered. When his plane crashes, both girls lose their world, only to find each other through the wreckage of his double life. The story follows their parallel grief and eventual meeting as they reconcile their shared DNA with their very different realities.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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