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A review by a_manning11
The Everything I Have Lost by Sylvia Aguilar-Zéleny
3.0
Note: I received an ARC of this book via netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review of this audio book.
Audio book narration: 5*****
Lori Felipe-Barkin has done a wonderful job narrating this audio book. The narration makes this book easy to listen to.
Novel: 3***
I have so many issues with this book, but most of all, it was hard to listen to because I never got invested in Julia's story. This is not a happy book, and it's a hard read without having something that keeps the reader interested. 12-year-old Julia is irritatingly naive. Maybe this is explained by the fact that she does not have internet access (so cannot learn what her family, isolation and school are withholding from her), only leaves the house for school or with her parents, her family is severely dysfunctional and her parents keep her uninformed on everything from what her dad's job is to periods.
The book is promoted as a glimpse at life on both sides of the US-Mexico border, taking place in Juarez and El Paso, but for a major part of the novel we are introduced to Juarez through the eyes of a naive girl who is locked away at home and only see the direct consequences events have on Julia's life (such as being unable to leave the house).
Despite the fact that Julia's mother puts her husband before her children's safety and happiness at all times, a 14-year-old Julia and her baby brother eventually end up living in El Paso with their Tia, Bis (great grandmother) and cousin Jonas. Julia suddenly turns from naive girl to angry teen but still remains hopelessly childish in her thoughts and actions. Her anger is justified, but it seems highly unreasonable for her to resent finally being in the place she had been asking to move to for years because of all it has to offer her.
Even once she lives with her Tia I had lots of issues with the messages Julia and the reader are given. When Julia gets lost after her third day at school and arrives home late she is greeted with a slap on the cheek and a conversation that includes: "It happens everywhere. Girls are never safe." Also included are such gems as her best friend explaining to her that ' she has her father's blood, she is just like him' (that would be an organized crime hitman) and none of these things are ever questioned.
The ending has some positive notes, her hermanito is playing on the street, her mother may be returning to the land of the living and she has settled into high school... but I would have liked to see some more supportive characters, a teacher or school psychologist, an after school club or more positive friendships. Ideally, I think some therapy would have been appropriate for both children after all they have been through.
I was excited to read this book and am aware how much books by own voices authors on topics like these are needed, but I think this one has missed the mark, especially with middle grade readers in mind. It may still be a valuable resource if read at school with the support of a teacher or librarian who can fill in any gaps of information.
Audio book narration: 5*****
Lori Felipe-Barkin has done a wonderful job narrating this audio book. The narration makes this book easy to listen to.
Novel: 3***
I have so many issues with this book, but most of all, it was hard to listen to because I never got invested in Julia's story. This is not a happy book, and it's a hard read without having something that keeps the reader interested. 12-year-old Julia is irritatingly naive. Maybe this is explained by the fact that she does not have internet access (so cannot learn what her family, isolation and school are withholding from her), only leaves the house for school or with her parents, her family is severely dysfunctional and her parents keep her uninformed on everything from what her dad's job is to periods.
The book is promoted as a glimpse at life on both sides of the US-Mexico border, taking place in Juarez and El Paso, but for a major part of the novel we are introduced to Juarez through the eyes of a naive girl who is locked away at home and only see the direct consequences events have on Julia's life (such as being unable to leave the house).
Despite the fact that Julia's mother puts her husband before her children's safety and happiness at all times, a 14-year-old Julia and her baby brother eventually end up living in El Paso with their Tia, Bis (great grandmother) and cousin Jonas. Julia suddenly turns from naive girl to angry teen but still remains hopelessly childish in her thoughts and actions. Her anger is justified, but it seems highly unreasonable for her to resent finally being in the place she had been asking to move to for years because of all it has to offer her.
Even once she lives with her Tia I had lots of issues with the messages Julia and the reader are given. When Julia gets lost after her third day at school and arrives home late she is greeted with a slap on the cheek and a conversation that includes: "It happens everywhere. Girls are never safe." Also included are such gems as her best friend explaining to her that ' she has her father's blood, she is just like him' (that would be an organized crime hitman) and none of these things are ever questioned.
The ending has some positive notes, her hermanito is playing on the street, her mother may be returning to the land of the living and she has settled into high school... but I would have liked to see some more supportive characters, a teacher or school psychologist, an after school club or more positive friendships. Ideally, I think some therapy would have been appropriate for both children after all they have been through.
I was excited to read this book and am aware how much books by own voices authors on topics like these are needed, but I think this one has missed the mark, especially with middle grade readers in mind. It may still be a valuable resource if read at school with the support of a teacher or librarian who can fill in any gaps of information.