Scan barcode
A review by bookdragon217
Lola Reyes Is So Not Worried by Cindy L. Rodriguez
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"Whatever the reason, Mama holds it in. So I do, too. We're like soda bottles, all shook-up and fizzing, praying the cap holds so we don't explode."
Lola Reyes Is So Not Worried by Cindy L. Rodriguez was such a delight to read. Lola recently lost her father and is dealing with her own feelings of grief, while navigating her mother's sadness and dealing with changes in her friendship with her best friend. Her anxiety is getting the best of her, and the one person who she can be her most authentic self with is her grandmother in Guatemala. She brings home her father's worry dolls to the U.S. after his life celebration and the adventures begin.
The writing really captured my attention from the beginning. Rodriguez does a great job of exploring grief through both a child's and spouse/parent's POV. I liked being in Lola's head as she examines how her mom is dealing with her grief and what mixed messaging she is receiving about ways to grieve. On the one hand, Lola is looking for something tied to her culture to give her relief with her anxiety and on the other she values science and logic and just wants to talk about her feelings with someone. Bringing back the worry dolls was her way of holding on to something of her dad's and at the same time trying to find out how they helped him deal with big emotions when he was a kid. Grief books always get me in my feelings, and I loved how this one balanced the heaviness with so many moments of laughter. It was a great reminder that it is OK to find moments of joy even when you're grieving.
Read this one for: Guatemalan culture and rep, exploring grief and anxiety, friendships, and girls who love science. Thanks to @harperkids @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
Some book recs that would pair perfectly with this one are:
📚 Iveliz Explains It All- Andrea Beatriz Arango
📚 Grow Up, Luchy Zapata- Alexandra Alessandri
Lola Reyes Is So Not Worried by Cindy L. Rodriguez was such a delight to read. Lola recently lost her father and is dealing with her own feelings of grief, while navigating her mother's sadness and dealing with changes in her friendship with her best friend. Her anxiety is getting the best of her, and the one person who she can be her most authentic self with is her grandmother in Guatemala. She brings home her father's worry dolls to the U.S. after his life celebration and the adventures begin.
The writing really captured my attention from the beginning. Rodriguez does a great job of exploring grief through both a child's and spouse/parent's POV. I liked being in Lola's head as she examines how her mom is dealing with her grief and what mixed messaging she is receiving about ways to grieve. On the one hand, Lola is looking for something tied to her culture to give her relief with her anxiety and on the other she values science and logic and just wants to talk about her feelings with someone. Bringing back the worry dolls was her way of holding on to something of her dad's and at the same time trying to find out how they helped him deal with big emotions when he was a kid. Grief books always get me in my feelings, and I loved how this one balanced the heaviness with so many moments of laughter. It was a great reminder that it is OK to find moments of joy even when you're grieving.
Read this one for: Guatemalan culture and rep, exploring grief and anxiety, friendships, and girls who love science. Thanks to @harperkids @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
Some book recs that would pair perfectly with this one are:
📚 Iveliz Explains It All- Andrea Beatriz Arango
📚 Grow Up, Luchy Zapata- Alexandra Alessandri