★ 04/06/2020
At nearly 17, Camino Rios lives in the Dominican Republic with her aunt, where she dreams of attending medical school at Columbia University, near her father, whom she only sees for a few months each year. Skilled chess player Yahaira Rios, 16, lives with her Dominican parents in New York City, next door to her girlfriend, Dre. When Yahaira’s father leaves for his annual summer trip to the D.R., the plane crashes, leaving no survivors and upending the lives of Yahaira and his other daughter, Camino. In the months following the crash, the girls, previously unknown to each other, discover their sisterhood—and their father’s double life—and must come to terms with difficult truths about their parents. Returning to verse, Acevedo subtly, skillfully uses language and rhythm to give voice to the sisters’ grief, anger, and uncertainty; Camino’s introspective openness; and Yahaira’s tendency toward order and leadership. Raw and emotional, Acevedo’s exploration of loss packs an effective double punch, unraveling the aftermath of losing a parent alongside the realities of familial inheritance. Ages 14–up. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. (May) ■
"Tackles family secrets, toxic masculinity, and socio-economic differences with incisive clarity and candor... Every line is laced with betrayal and longing as the teens struggle with loving someone despite his imperfections. A standing ovation." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Returning to verse, Acevedo subtly, skillfully uses language and rhythm to give voice to the sisters’ grief, anger, and uncertainty; Camino’s introspective openness; and Yahaira’s tendency toward order and leadership. Raw and emotional, Acevedo’s exploration of loss packs an effective double punch, unraveling the aftermath of losing a parent alongside the realities of familial inheritance." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Acevedo's free verse poems for each girl share an easy cadence and thoughtfulness, yet each girl's perspective is clear: Camino is strong but fearful of the dangers that threaten her life and hopes; Yahaira's anger is palpable, but so is her tenderness and love for her girlfriend Dre.... Memorable for its treatment of grief, depiction of family ties, and lyrical strength, expect a well-deserved high demand." — Booklist
"The book is blunt about the financial disparity between the girls and its implications, but it’s also tender as the two families, or what’s left of them, come together in the Dominican Republic to bury the girls’ father and, despite hurt and betrayal, find connections. " — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Lush imagery and masterful characterization give readers a look at the lives of two 16-year-old girls whose worlds couldn’t be further apart, but who long for connection in the face of life-altering tragedy... Crisp verse depicts heartbreak and bravery, while expert pacing culminates in a lyrical achievement in storytelling that is highly recommended." — School Library Journal (starred review)
"Acevedo's poetry at one moment envelops readers through vibrant description, and the next pierces them with all-too-effective phrases... Her quick, penetrating verse is lean and decisive, her blank spaces expertly planned moments of held breath. Finishing the book is not unlike touching ground again after a flight." — Shelf Awareness (starred review)
"In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept." — Horn Book (starred review)
"Acevedo's poetry at one moment envelops readers through vibrant description, and the next pierces them with all-too-effective phrases... Her quick, penetrating verse is lean and decisive, her blank spaces expertly planned moments of held breath. Finishing the book is not unlike touching ground again after a flight."
Shelf Awareness (starred review)
"In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept."
Horn Book (starred review)
"The book is blunt about the financial disparity between the girls and its implications, but it’s also tender as the two families, or what’s left of them, come together in the Dominican Republic to bury the girls’ father and, despite hurt and betrayal, find connections. "
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Acevedo's free verse poems for each girl share an easy cadence and thoughtfulness, yet each girl's perspective is clear: Camino is strong but fearful of the dangers that threaten her life and hopes; Yahaira's anger is palpable, but so is her tenderness and love for her girlfriend Dre.... Memorable for its treatment of grief, depiction of family ties, and lyrical strength, expect a well-deserved high demand."
"Acevedo's free verse poems for each girl share an easy cadence and thoughtfulness, yet each girl's perspective is clear: Camino is strong but fearful of the dangers that threaten her life and hopes; Yahaira's anger is palpable, but so is her tenderness and love for her girlfriend Dre.... Memorable for its treatment of grief, depiction of family ties, and lyrical strength, expect a well-deserved high demand."
"The book is blunt about the financial disparity between the girls and its implications, but it’s also tender as the two families, or what’s left of them, come together in the Dominican Republic to bury the girls’ father and, despite hurt and betrayal, find connections. "
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"The book is blunt about the financial disparity between the girls and its implications, but it’s also tender as the two families, or what’s left of them, come together in the Dominican Republic to bury the girls’ father and, despite hurt and betrayal, find connections. "
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
05/01/2020
Gr 9 Up —A deadly plane crash brings secrets to light and families together in this novel told in verse. Camino lives in the Dominican Republic where she spends her days swimming and serving as an apprentice to her aunt, a healer, as she makes house calls. Yahaira is a chess champ and lives in New York with her parents and next door to her girlfriend. Alternating between Camino and Yahaira's perspectives, the story explores the grief of losing a loved one while discovering sisterhood. As details of the plane crash are revealed and arrangements are made for a funeral, Camino and Yahaira realize they are grieving for the same beloved father. Lush imagery and masterful characterization give readers a look at the lives of two 16-year-old girls whose worlds couldn't be further apart, but who long for connection in the face of life-altering tragedy. When the girls come face to face on Camino's home turf their bonds of sisterhood are developed and tested; in an intense standoff with a shady character, Yahaira may be the only person who can help Camino escape with her life. VERDICT Crisp verse depicts heartbreak and bravery, while expert pacing culminates in a lyrical achievement in storytelling that is highly recommended.—Samantha Lumetta, P.L. of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Melania-Luisa Marte narrates the first-person free verse of Camino, the Dominican daughter of a man who has died in a plane crash. Elizabeth Acevedo delivers the alternating verses of his other daughter, Yahaira, who lives in New York. Neither sister knows the other exists until their father’s death. Marte’s narration captures the lyricism of a young woman who assists her aunt, a healer; dreams of going to medical school; and avoids a dangerous local man. Acevedo’s portrayal of Yahaira is strong and passionate, depicting the logical mind of a chess player and the anger she has hidden since learning of her father’s second marriage. Both narrators create a beautiful duet of the girls’ raw and lingering grief, forgiveness of their beloved and imperfect father, and nascent sisterhood. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2021 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Melania-Luisa Marte narrates the first-person free verse of Camino, the Dominican daughter of a man who has died in a plane crash. Elizabeth Acevedo delivers the alternating verses of his other daughter, Yahaira, who lives in New York. Neither sister knows the other exists until their father’s death. Marte’s narration captures the lyricism of a young woman who assists her aunt, a healer; dreams of going to medical school; and avoids a dangerous local man. Acevedo’s portrayal of Yahaira is strong and passionate, depicting the logical mind of a chess player and the anger she has hidden since learning of her father’s second marriage. Both narrators create a beautiful duet of the girls’ raw and lingering grief, forgiveness of their beloved and imperfect father, and nascent sisterhood. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2021 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
★ 2020-03-02
Camino Rios lives in the Dominican Republic and yearns to go to Columbia University in New York City, where her father works most of the year. Yahaira Rios, who lives in Morningside Heights, hasn’t spoken to her dad since the previous summer, when she found out he has another wife in the Dominican Republic. Their lives collide when this man, their dad, dies in an airplane crash with hundreds of other passengers heading to the island. Each protagonist grieves the tragic death of their larger-than-life father and tries to unravel the tangled web of lies he kept secret for almost 20 years. The author pays reverent tribute to the lives lost in a similar crash in 2001. The half sisters are vastly different—Yahaira is dark skinned, a chess champion who has a girlfriend; Camino is lighter skinned, a talented swimmer who helps her curandera aunt deliver neighborhood babies. Despite their differences, they slowly forge a tenuous bond. The book is told in alternating chapters with headings counting how many days have passed since the fateful event. Acevedo balances the two perspectives with ease, contrasting the girls’ environments and upbringings. Camino’s verses read like poetic prose, flowing and straightforward. Yahaira’s sections have more breaks and urgent, staccato beats. Every line is laced with betrayal and longing as the teens struggle with loving someone despite his imperfections.
A standing ovation. (Verse novel. 14-18)
