Language: R (43 swears 48 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (Passionate kissing, reference to sex)); Violence: R (spouse abuse described, political riots)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
18yo high school senior Libertad lives in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. It's 2017 and the country is consumed in a political crisis, complete with college student led riots, military coups and civil unrest. Libertad's older brother Maynor is part of the university resistance, and she writes political poetry which she anonymously posts on Insta. Libertad is having a personal crisis as well - her mother has discovered texts on Libertad's phone talking about a kiss she shared with a girl. The kiss was a one-time thing and both were drunk, but she has a hard time convincing her mother that it's not what she thinks - but, maybe, ultimately it is, things might be over with that girl, but now there's another, a college student who loves her poetry, and may love Libertad too.
Deep and thoughtful this queer coming of age story about Libertad, finding love she has to hide amidst political chaos has a lot going on. She lives in a generational household, her mother and grandmother are both divorced, her 25yo brother still lives at home, conflicted about his college education. I reflected on our own country's current political situation as I read about Honduras. Does the reader need background to appreciate the political side of Zaldivar's book? I don't think so - so many people talk Libertad through what is happening, I think the readers will understand. A lot of non-translated Spanish, most of which is in context. Although optional because of language, I would recommend purchase if you have students from Central America who might see themselves in Libertad. The characters are Honduran, Libertad, Dani and Cami are Lesbian or Bi-sexual.
Lisa Librarian
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