Clap When You Land
Ratings138
Average rating4.2
4.5 but I'll rate it as a 5 here. The audiobook is EXCELLENT - Acevedo reads Yahaira (I could listen to her perform the phone book) and Melania-Luisa Marte holds her own reading Camino. As a novel in verse, the performance of the verses really lends emotional heft. Acevedo's characters are always so alive and vibrant, and within the context of her story she always hits universal themes: family obligation and the meaning of family, whether it's through blood or choice, what it means to be a teenage girl in the world and how you express “femaleness” in varying ways, voices and who is represented and has a right to be heard. My only minimal critique is that I wanted just a bit more before the book ended. It built to the meeting of the sisters, and a dramatic confrontation between a lurking pimp and all the women in this new family, but I wanted just a bit more expansion of their lives intersecting before the end. I love that Acevedo built this story around a real incident of a plane crash that didn't receive the national attention it should have - I had never heard about it until now.
Goodreads needs a half star system! This read was a 4.5 for sure. Elizabeth has a way with words and every sentence flowed perfectly. I related to this story and this is possibly the only story where I could relate to both characters. Growing up hispanic, not knowing much spanish, being queer, secret sister... yes been there dealt with it! Elizabeth captures everything just perfectly. Words cannot describe how good this story was.
Why did I not give this 5 stars? Well Papi was a garbage human being. He had 2 families and treated his wife in NYC like trash. He literally only married her to prove he was good enough to marry the general's daughter. Really? What a scumbag. Also, these girls are weeping over him, wondering how he would have felt and thought. Who gives a shit about him? Trash human being. Most of the men (minus Nelson) were trash. Tio? Trash. You knew your brother was garbage and didn't tell him so? El Cero? MEGA TRASH.
I recommend 100% and I can't wait to read more of Elizabeth Acevedo's work.
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POPSUGAR 2021 READING CHALLENGE - A book about a subject you are passionate about • Sisterhood.
If you are not from an island,you cannot understand what it means to be of water:to learn to curve around the bend, to learn to rise with rain,to learn to quench an outside thirstwhile all the whileyou grow shallowuntil there is not one dropleft for you.I know this is what Tia does not say. Sand & soil & sinew & smiles:all bartered. & who reaps? Who eats?Not us. Not me.
Gorgeous. As always, I am miles behind and am now intent on catching up with Acevedo's oeuvre.
3.5*
Sadly, this writing style is not for me. However, that does not mean this novel was bad or poorly written. It is definitely deserving of the praise it has received.
Elizabeth Acevedo is one of the authors that I will drop everything else and read. This book was worth that and so much more. After The Fire on High, I didn't think I could love a character more than I love Emoni.
Then I was introduced to Camino and Yahaira. These two girls are so amazing. Their stories are compelling and emotional. These girls and those around them are complicated and full.
I am in awe of how much plot and emotion and culture and suspense Elizabeth Acevedo stuffed into these few words. In fact, there are a few words in this book that left me speechless. The end was hopeful and emotional.
I am doing a bad job reviewing this book, but it is just so good! Stop everything you are doing and read this.
The audiobook is a great way to listen to the dual narration.
As someone who doesn't read a ton of YA, I was thrilled with the representation in this book. The subjects it dealt with especially the grief, betrayal and economic disparities between the families in the US vs DR were palpable.
I love that this is the quality of stories young adults have available to them these days.
4,5*
I felt like the line with el cero was superfluous, but other than that, loved it <3
Of COURSE this is incredible. OF COURSE. No one writes mothers and daughters like Acevedo: Xiomara and her mom, Emoni and Babygirl, and now Yahaira and her mom, and Camino and her Tia. All of these relationships are so complex and so true.
Read for Missy Elliot Readathon Super Duper Fly
Initially this was a 4. After sitting with this read for a month, I have bumped it up to a 5. (3.18.2023)
If ever you need a rec for International Women's Month.. this would be it.
This book is about the many faces, the many roles and the many instances a woman has to do what needs to be done simply because it needs to get done. For individuals who wished these women explored grief more, I challenge you to re-read the book. Grief takes on many forms. Allow yourself to take these women in. These are the women I know.
JEEZ each of Elizabeth Acevedo's books just keep getting better and better??? And like the first one was already incredible? This is so lovely and complicated and messy and loving. (Also half of it takes place very near where I did my Peace Corps service so, you know, personal bonus points from me.)
What an incredible storyteller. i am so obsessed with Acevedo's writing style. This story was gut wrenching but the unity really shined through this all the way through. So glad I listened to this one. Definitely a story I wont forget.
Yet another, slow, un-engaging, not fun to read, verse novel bogged down by identity politics. I'm so sick of this! I absolutely love the idea behind verse novels, so why are they never fun and exciting?! When I read I want to escape reality – I can't be the only one! If I want a depressing story about abuse, sexual, drug, race or otherwise I'll watch the news. All I want is an exciting, fun, imaginative verse novel that's engaging to read. A Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or Hunger Games kind of story told in verse! Surely it's not that hard! Verse is able to better capture different aspects of a story than prose. So why?
This is the first book this year that has moved me, that has made me emotional enough to cry.
This is a beautiful book, featuring a story-in-verse (something as a child I didn't like, as an adult it's something I appreciate and admire), about sisterhood, growing pains, and grief.
I love how Acevedo's words flowed seamlessly on the pages, smooth like gentle waves of the sea. I love how distinctive yet similar her two leads were to one other, and how she gave equal attention to their hurt, their passions, their fears, their anger, and their courage.
I love how this book grew out of a world that forgot a tragedy that happened shortly after 9/11, and how this book features a queer person of color (a timely read for the month of June), without making their identity the sole focus of their purpose in the tale, and instead allowing them to exist and be and love and grieve and dream just like any other protagonist.
I loved learning about a culture I had previously little knowledge of, and how this novel left me feeling both grateful and guilty for all the times I may have complained about life here, knowing privilege in ways I never realized.
Finally, I love Yahaira and Camino, and I couldn't help but smile as I closed the book, and hope and wishing and pray that their stories continue, their dreams come true, and that they will always land wherever life takes them.
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I definitely recommend this book to folx seeking stories about BIPOC by BIPOC authors, how one navigates grief, or are curious and want to introduce themselves to the culture of the Dominican Republic.
Two different worlds, brought together by one man. One man who kept one world a secret from the other. A devastating plane crash brings secrets from dark to light and the two worlds collide.
What a great read. It hurts the heart, brings tears to the surface and is filled with such emotion you'd have to be dead to feel nothing.
Elizabeth Acevedo is an amazing writer and is an auto-buy from now on. I love reading poetry. I love reading stories. She brings the two together in an engaging and beautiful way.
I snuffled and sniffled my way through the last 1/4 of this.
2 sisters who suddenly find out the other exists fight to overcome the death of their father and what his betrayal means for their futures.
It deals in love and loss, pain, betrayal, hope, dreams, family - blood, found, and true.
It's heartfelt, heartbreaking, hopeful and affirming. It's messy and complicated and stubborn and wonderful.
I'm So very pleased I read it
Grief is heavy on the page. This doesn't take away from it being a good book, it was just a lot for me.