I didn’t know much going into this book except for what the title suggests, and it is the perfect title for this novel. Julia is a high school student living in Chicago after her parents immigrated from Mexico. This book took me deeper into the understanding of the Mexican-American culture, but a bigger part of the book was about Julia trying to live her life.
I am in awe of the author and how she fit so many themes and messages into just this one book. The way Erika L. Sanchez weaves these topics together is so expertly done that no subject is overly written but each one detailed enough for the reader to understand and feel for the character. It deals with death, depression, rape, suicide, and more.
Though these are dark topics, the book itself didn’t feel dark. I think that this is what contributed into the book being a National Book Award Finalist: these types of subjects but as a light and easy read.
I definitely would encourage my daughters to read this book when they’re of age.
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