Saleena's picks 4/2/22

 

This is a new version of the old story of Snow White and her sister Rose Red, but from a Latinx point of view, and with a more modern perspective.  I love reading new versions of fairy tales, and so went into this expecting to enjoy it, and I did.  =)

What I didn't expect was the added elements of class struggles, racism and transphobia/homophobia that were also touched on, that still mixed with the magic and tragedy and made for a compelling story that went in a direction I wasn't expecting.

Definitely worth a read, and alternates between the viewpoints of all 4 major characters, which also makes for a fast & intense read.






I listened to this one (read by Lin Manuel Miranda!) on the library's Libby app.  Definitely awesome!  Once again Saenz breaks our hearts and heals our souls in this love story continuation of Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.  Since the story jumps right in from where it left off previously, it is easy to get back into the rhythm of what is happening.  

The focus in this book is the future, which is uncertain for both of them, as they look towards college and wish they could still be together but aren't sure it's even an option.  This book takes place in the 80's so marriage equality wasn't a thing, and all everyone heard about was AIDS and all the deaths associated with it, so for two teen boys, the future seems crazy to think about......how could they ever be together like a "real" couple?  

Cannot express how much I loved this story, even though I did cry.  No shame.  




Felix has a knack for trivia, and is happy to be back in school with his childhood best friend; however he is stressed by his living situation.  He and his mother are living out of a van, and much as he is trying to hide it, and cope with it; it is harder and harder to manage.  He wins a place on his favorite trivia show, and is hopeful he can win enough money to make everything alright, but can a twelve year old really fix everything all by himself?  

This was another hard one, not because it wasn't well written, because it was...but because my heart hurt for Felix.  Hiding his poverty and hunger, pretending all was fine, taking care of his mother (though it is supposed to be the other way around)....it takes a toll on him, and Nielsen isn't sugar coating anything, even though we have a hopeful and happy ending.  Having lived through some rough times as a child, and having talked to others who have done the same, stories like this will always make my heart bleed. 

Read this book, it deserves some love and attention and highlights some important parts of life that not everyone has to deal with.

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