Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Summary: Laura’s just arrived at her aunt’s house as this novel in verse opens. Her parents are in rehab following Laura’s 911 call, and she’s trying to deal with the fallout, including guilt for having made that call. Titi Silvia provides her with structure and a comfortable home but is emotionally distant. When Laura finds an abandoned pit bull puppy, she resolves to train him as a therapy dog, believing this will be her ticket to getting to visit her parents. A new friend, Benson, is struggling with sickle cell disease, but offers to help her with training as his health allows. After Laura’s parents check themselves out of rehab, and her mom makes a disastrous unannounced visit to her school, Laura realizes that her path back home may be longer and more complicated than she first believed. Some therapy and heart-to-heart talks with Titi Silvia help her find a greater acceptance of her new life and the new people who are trying to help her. 256 pages; grades 4-7.
Pros: This follow-up to Andrea Beatriz Arango’s Newbery Honor book Iveliz Explains It All is a moving story narrated by a believable protagonist who has to navigate some pretty tough situations feeling like she is more or less on her own.
Cons: There was so much packed into this relatively short story–foster care, addiction, chronic illness, dysfunctional families, Laura’s Puerto Rican heritage, therapy dogs–that it felt like some of the topics didn’t get explored as fully as they could have.
Summary: Laura’s just arrived at her aunt’s house as this novel in verse opens. Her parents are in rehab following Laura’s 911 call, and she’s trying to deal with the fallout, including guilt for having made that call. Titi Silvia provides her with structure and a comfortable home but is emotionally distant. When Laura finds an abandoned pit bull puppy, she resolves to train him as a therapy dog, believing this will be her ticket to getting to visit her parents. A new friend, Benson, is struggling with sickle cell disease, but offers to help her with training as his health allows. After Laura’s parents check themselves out of rehab, and her mom makes a disastrous unannounced visit to her school, Laura realizes that her path back home may be longer and more complicated than she first believed. Some therapy and heart-to-heart talks with Titi Silvia help her find a greater acceptance of her new life and the new people who are trying to help her. 256 pages; grades 4-7.
Pros: This follow-up to Andrea Beatriz Arango’s Newbery Honor book Iveliz Explains It All is a moving story narrated by a believable protagonist who has to navigate some pretty tough situations feeling like she is more or less on her own.
Cons: There was so much packed into this relatively short story–foster care, addiction, chronic illness, dysfunctional families, Laura’s Puerto Rican heritage, therapy dogs–that it felt like some of the topics didn’t get explored as fully as they could have.