Clap When You Land

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.

***

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.