Language: R (100+ swears, 15 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (lots of talk about the female body - boobs, nipples, vagina, etc, one instance of underage drinking to excess); Violence: PG-13 (on-page sexual assault - groping, talk about sexual assault survivors)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Malena is a 10th grader from a humble background, transplanted to Florida from Puerto Rico after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. She just wants to fit into her new life, but when she is unfairly targeted for a dress-code violation at her new school, she learns the power of finding her own voice. Ruby is a senior from a white, privileged background, transplanted to Florida from Seattle. Ruby wants to do the right thing for everyone, but as she works with Malena, she will learn that she has a long way to go to help make real change.
The last book I read, I compared it to cotton-candy. This book was like a roast beef sandwich - there was a lot of depth to it and I was fully invested in the story. The discussion moved between social justice, racism, sexism, feminism, patriarchy, and activism pretty flawlessly, as well as exploring the intersectionality of those issues. I loved the growth that Malena and Ruby both experienced over the course of the novel. It was fascinating to consider what happens after the protest ends and the hubbub subsides, how do the people involved move on and make change? I will say that after finishing, it made me want to find a cause to champion and protest ASAP.
Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes
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