From the Publisher
"Barthelmess’ story thoughtfully explores intergenerational cultural dynamics and racial microaggressions as it follows Ri on her journey of self-discovery. An honest and engaging narrative." — Kirkus Reviews
"This lush coming-of-age tale will fire readers’ emotions as they follow Ri’s quest to learn more about her heritage ... full of hope and realistic situations, [it] will speak to those who enjoy stories exploring identity and true purpose." — Booklist
"Barthelmess examines identity, complicated intergenerational relationships, and the power of connection to one’s cultural heritage and community with sincerity and insight in this nuanced contemporary coming-of-age novel. Readers will find much to love in Ri’s journey as she sets out to define who she is and what she wants for herself." — Publishers Weekly
"A moving story of acceptance, this will give readers space to consider what they can’t change, what they must fight to change, and what they shouldn’t have to." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“A relatable, compelling, and powerful story that offers a way forward, a way to reclaim and redefine one’s self.” — Randy Ribay, author of the National Book Award finalist Patron Saints of Nothing
“An earnest and heartfelt look at biracial identity, complicated family dynamics, and the discovery of awho we are and who we hope to become.” — Crystal Maldonado, author of Fat Chance, Charlie Vega
“A hopeful coming-of-age story about new friendships, first love, and figuring out how to bridge two worlds. It's a tender novel that glimmers with all of the wonder of self-discovery.” — Monica Gomez-Hira, author of Once Upon a Quinceañera
“A moving story about family, the challenges facing biracial teens, and the importance of forgiveness.” — Ismée Williams, author of This Train Is Being Held
A stunning story about having faith in oneself, one’s friends, and one’s family. Ri and all the people she loves are so real and full of heart that it’s impossible not to root for them" — Samantha Mabry, author of Tigers, Not Daughters
"A solid addition to young adult collections." — School Library Journal
Randy Ribay
A relatable, compelling, and powerful story that offers a way forward, a way to reclaim and redefine one’s self.
Booklist
"This lush coming-of-age tale will fire readers’ emotions as they follow Ri’s quest to learn more about her heritage ... full of hope and realistic situations, [it] will speak to those who enjoy stories exploring identity and true purpose."
Monica Gomez-Hira
A hopeful coming-of-age story about new friendships, first love, and figuring out how to bridge two worlds. It's a tender novel that glimmers with all of the wonder of self-discovery.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"A moving story of acceptance, this will give readers space to consider what they can’t change, what they must fight to change, and what they shouldn’t have to."
Crystal Maldonado
An earnest and heartfelt look at biracial identity, complicated family dynamics, and the discovery of awho we are and who we hope to become.
Samantha Mabry
A stunning story about having faith in oneself, one’s friends, and one’s family. Ri and all the people she loves are so real and full of heart that it’s impossible not to root for them"
Ismée Williams
A moving story about family, the challenges facing biracial teens, and the importance of forgiveness.
Booklist
"This lush coming-of-age tale will fire readers’ emotions as they follow Ri’s quest to learn more about her heritage ... full of hope and realistic situations, [it] will speak to those who enjoy stories exploring identity and true purpose."
Ismée Williams
A moving story about family, the challenges facing biracial teens, and the importance of forgiveness.
Kirkus Reviews
2021-08-18
A Mexican American girl fights to reclaim her culture.
Maria is a high school junior in Santa Barbara, California, torn between her anger toward her maternal grandmother, who denies her any cultural connections to her Mexican ancestry, and her admiration for this same woman who raised her and works tirelessly keeping house for a wealthy family in order to give Ri access to more opportunities. Ri’s grandmother wants her to assimilate, even discouraging her from learning Spanish, exchanging their Catholic church for a Whiter version of Christianity, and urging her to hang out with the kids she deems good influences like her White friend, Brittany. Ri, whose biological father was a White American she’s never met, usually obeys her grandmother’s wishes—until the day she discovers a letter in Spanish from her estranged mother, written two years earlier, that upends everything. Ashamed that she had to use an online translation tool to understand the letter, Ri switches from French to Spanish class to connect with her heritage. There, she discovers that her Latinx classmates are not all fluent and she is not the only outsider, as she had believed, and that these kids whom her friends, guidance counselor, and grandmother had warned her against also hold complex relationships with their cultural identities. Barthelmess’ story thoughtfully explores intergenerational cultural dynamics and racial microaggressions as it follows Ri on her journey of self-discovery.
An honest and engaging narrative. (Fiction. 14-18)
