School Library Journal Review
Gr 6--10--"I've moved on from everything/ that happened," Iveliz insists. "I don't need anyone's help but my own." The seventh grader regularly pens verses in her journal to record her "true inner thoughts./ And if you can't trust a girl and her poems/ well." She's taking her meds, her beloved Puerto Rican grandmother is moving in, a new friendship looms. Despite her declared self-reliance, she's missing her father, avoiding her mother, her grandmother's Alzheimer's proves unpredictable, and facing racism and bullying at school. Mellifluously bilingual Merediz effortlessly enhances Arango's Newbery Honor--winning debut, notably punctuated with untranslated Spanish stanzas. Merediz's impressive emotive range--from denial to aching to regret to glimmering hope--ensures attentive engagement to the satisfyingly concluding, "how lucky I am/ to finally be seen/ by people who understand." VERDICT Share with anxious tweens and teens facing loss to show they're not alone.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Things are meant to be looking up for biracial Latina Iveliz Margarita Snow Medina after "everything that happened." The 12-year-old poet is attempting to manage her medication and no longer in active therapy, she's close with her Afghan friend Amir Nishat, and her beloved abuelita Mimi has just come from Puerto Rico to stay with her and her mother. That Mimi has Alzheimer's and that Iveliz's medication isn't working are things Iveliz doesn't want to think about, let alone discuss with others, especially her mother, who feels increasingly distant following Iveliz's original crisis. As her mental health deteriorates and school relationships become more difficult, Iveliz begins both lashing out and turning inward. But to end her isolation and begin healing, she must confront the origins of her depression: her father, and the role he plays in her life. Arango (Westwood Monster Patrol) features frank discussions of racism and xenophobia as well as underdiscussed and seldom-represented manifestations of childhood grief and trauma, including self-harm and suicidal ideation. It's a candid narrative told in quick-moving, rapport-like verse, made accessible by Iveliz's sarcastically funny, authentically tween voice. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 10--14. Author's agent: Rebecca Eskildsen, Writers House. (Sept.)
Horn Book Review
"I'm tired of being that girl / who's different / who's special / who went through a 'hard time' / and basically messed up her home." Seventh grader Iveliz writes in her new journal about her goals: trying to stay out of trouble at school; making a new friend; and acclimating to living with her abuelita, Mimi, who, having been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, has moved from Puerto Rico to be with Iveliz's family. In spite of her efforts, Iveliz still struggles: her mom keeps getting called to the principal's office; a makeover date with a new friend turns complicated; and her idea to grow a garden with Mimi doesn't go as planned (gandules don't grow well in Maryland). She is not sure how to get her life under control, or whether Dr. Turnip and Dr. Carrot, her garden-vegetable "therapists," can actually help. Iveliz's voice is relatable and strong. Her spare journal entries are in English with a fair amount of Spanish naturally integrated into her musings to create an authentic depiction of a Puerto Rican family and a young girl's personal issues. This verse novel (with occasional interspersed art by Alyssa Bermudez) deals convincingly with grief, mental health, and middle-school bullies; twelve-year-old Iveliz's first-person account amplifies the need for finding one's voice and asking for help at any age. An author's note lists mental health resources for young people. Alicia K. Long September/October 2022 p.77(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
To navigate her school and home lives through depression and PTSD, a 12-year-old Latina girl retreats into her poetry and journal. Seventh grader Iveliz plans to make this a great year despite recent trauma. Her abuela Mimi's arrival from Puerto Rico means a chance to feel like a family again, filling in the space left by her father's absence. But Mimi's Alzheimer's has progressed since the last time Iveliz saw her, and Iveliz's fraught relationship with her distant, always working Mami doesn't help to keep the peace either. Meanwhile, her friendship with Amir, a boy from Afghanistan, seems to be on the rocks, and Iveliz keeps getting in trouble at school thanks to bullies, an ill-conceived revenge plot, and awkward attempts to forge a new friendship. Going to therapy and managing her medication also eat away at Iveliz even as she tries to find solace in visions of her dad. Full of heartbreak and compassion, Arango's debut crackles with refreshing frankness and wit. The author excels at building Iveliz's voice through each poem, leading to a tale that's quick to read yet hard to put down. The creative use of varied poetic forms supports moments of levity and catharsis. Final art not seen. Superbly woven; a bold, deep portrayal of a young voice who needs to be heard. (author's note, resources) (Verse novel. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
In this story told in verse, readers meet Iveliz, a Puerto Rican teen who is living with depression, anxiety, and guilt following the untimely death of her father. Iveliz details the at times heart-wrenching depths of her sadness and the difficulty she experiences in opening up to people or asking for help. Presented as a copy of Ive's journal, the book contains occasional doodles and cartoon illustrations, which add character. Even though the story is mostly about Ive's spiraling, it beautifully illustrates the power of compassion and truth telling, how meaningful friendships are supposed to look, and the ways that loved ones might try to help. Most important, it shows what happens when someone is ready to be brave and speak up for themselves. After the story, the author shares some words about finding developmentally--appropriate help, including videos, phone lines, and web pages with resources for any young person who needs assistance. This story is a great reminder that no one is truly alone.
