Review: "Marcus Vega Does Not Speak Spanish," by Pablo Cartaya

Marcus Vega Does Not Speak Spanish, by Pablo Cartaya, is a middle-grade novel is about finding yourself and your place in the world. After an incident at school leads to a suspension, the Vega family decides that it is time for a break from their everyday lives. Marcus's mom decides to use her work perks and take her sons to Puerto Rico to visit their Dad's side of the family. While his Dad has been gone from their lives for at least ten years, Melissa Vega has fond memories of her estranged husband's family. Marcus decides that this trip is an ideal time to connect with his father. Will his search be futile? As Marcus travels, the island's beauty is highlighted in the novel. Throughout his quest, he meets his Puerto Rican family, finds himself, and sees a side of his mother he has not known before. 

This heartwarming story with relatable characters is an excellent book for both parents and young readers to enjoy. 

Review: "Olga Dies Dreaming," by Xotchil Gonzalez

 

Olga Dies Dreaming is a debut novel by Xotchil Gonzalez. It is a character-driven novel with complex, well-developed characters. The book will be officially published on January 4th, but I was able to get an early release through my Book of the Month subscription.  

While there are many layers to the themes, at its core, it is a story about family, relationships, culture, and the effects of American Imperialism on its territories. The novel is written in multi-perspective voices. On one side is Olga, an event organizer that plans lavish weddings for the elite, and the other perspective is told from her brother, Prieto, a New York Congressman. Family ties their stories together. There is their ever-present family, Tias, Tios, Primos, and from afar, their estranged mother, manipulating and influencing them through letters. 

The first half of the novel takes you through the lives of the main characters and then takes a turn in its complexity with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico. The reader will learn about the nuances of what it means for territories like Puerto Rico to be a part of the United States. While they are citizens and serve our country in the military, they have no representation in the US government or autonomy for their own economy.  

The author handles serious issues in an approachable way. This is the kind of book you will want to discuss with others. If your book club likes deep discussions, definitely check this one out. 

Review: "Efren Divided," Ernesto Cisneros

Efren comes home from school to find that his mother has been deported. She is his "Soperwoman" who always makes their home feel so much more than just a tiny one-room apartment in their LA Latino immigrant neighborhood. This book smart middle schooler is now thrust into the world of ICE, politics, and being responsible for his 5-year-old twin siblings while his Dad takes on extra jobs to get their mother home. This moving, character-driven novel is a story of what it is to grow up as an American citizen when your parents are not. It is an authentic story about identity, friendship, family, and gratitude. Cisneros's writing is engaging and, at times, poignant. This book is for middle-grade readers, but it is definitely a book that anyone of any age can read and come away with an understanding of what life is like for so many undocumented families. 🕮🐛🐛🐛🐛

Review: "Dominicana," by Angie Cruz

 

A beautiful novel about the sacrifices immigrants make to attain a better life for the family. Ana is 15 and lives in the countryside of the Dominican Republic. Her family marries her off to Juan, an older man who has immigrated to New York. This isn't the life that Ana had in mind, but she does it so that her family can someday follow her to America. Told in a lyrical style, with short chapters that move the plot along at a steady pace. Ana's story of finding her place as a young wife and a recent immigrant occurs in 1965 NYC with unrest in race relations, the Vietnam War, and the Dominican Republic civil war in the background. 📖🐛🐛🐛🐛