Becoming Beatriz by Tami Charles - ADVISABLE

Becoming Beatriz by Tami Charles, 257 pages. Charlesbridge, 2019. $18. 

Language: PG-13 (24 swears), Mature Content: PG Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE   

Beatriz is an African Puerto Rican who immigrated to America with her brother and mother when she was a young girl. Like many Caribbean immigrants, she and her brother joined a drug gang for safety and money. Her brother has been gunned down by a rival gang member and she’s conflicted. Part of her wants to get out, but part of her needs the gang. Then handsome, intelligent Nasser notices her and encourages her to get back into dance. He convinces her to audition for a part on her favorite TV show Fame. The problem is that he is Haitian, the same nationality as the guy who killed her brother.

This is a companion novel to Like Vanessa. This novel explores the gang drug culture of the 80s. The author does an excellent job describing the appeal of gangs and life in poor immigrant neighborhoods. It’s easy to understand why Beatriz has no use for school other than a place to sell drugs. Despite the challenges, it has an uplifting undertone, as Beatriz moves toward making better choices.   

Reviewer: Valerie McEnroe, MLIS