  | Iveliz explains it all Author: Arango, Andrea Beatriz | |
| Price: $21.88 | ||
Summary:
Twelve-year-old Iveliz is trying to manage her mental health and advocate for the help and understanding she deserves, but in the meantime her new friend calls her crazy and her abuela Mimi dismisses the therapy and medicine Iveliz needs to feel like herself.
| Illustrator: | Bermudez, Alyssa |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG+ Reading Level: 5.30 Points: 4.0 Quiz: 521628 |
Awards:
Newbery Honor, 2023
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (07/15/22)
School Library Journal (+) (00/10/22)
Booklist (09/01/22)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 09/01/2022 In this story told in verse, readers meet Iveliz, a Puerto Rican teen who is living with depression, anxiety, and guilt following the untimely death of her father. Iveliz details the at times heart-wrenching depths of her sadness and the difficulty she experiences in opening up to people or asking for help. Presented as a copy of Ive’s journal, the book contains occasional doodles and cartoon illustrations, which add character. Even though the story is mostly about Ive’s spiraling, it beautifully illustrates the power of compassion and truth telling, how meaningful friendships are supposed to look, and the ways that loved ones might try to help. Most important, it shows what happens when someone is ready to be brave and speak up for themselves. After the story, the author shares some words about finding developmentally-appropriate help, including videos, phone lines, and web pages with resources for any young person who needs assistance. This story is a great reminder that no one is truly alone. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 10/07/2022 Gr 6–10—Arango's novel in verse captures all the angst and awkwardness of being a middle school student and intersects that with tremendous grief, trauma, and the realities of living with with mental health issues. Iveliz is struggling with the loss of her father, her Puerto Rican grandmother's worsening Alzheimer's, and friendship issues. She explores these worries through her poetry journal with honesty and vulnerability. Iveliz has a very clear sense of right and wrong, but often wrestles with how to speak up about the wrongs that she experiences from bullies and within her family. Readers take this journey with Iveliz, learning positive coping strategies to deal with explosive anger, forgiveness of one's self and of others, bullying, and toxic family dynamics. This powerful, realistic novel also unravels the cultural tensions that sometimes exist between the elder and younger generations. Iveliz is empowered and moves towards healing with a combination of mental health services and medication, even though her grandmother minimizes the genuine need for both. Arango does not leave this cultural stone unturned, but drives the characters to confront this generational rift. By doing so, she makes Iveliz's journey towards healing vibrate with heroism. The protagonist opens herself up to the help she needs and forges healthy boundaries with friends and family. VERDICT In this poignant debut novel in verse, Arango offers a character with heart, whom readers will be rooting for and whose story will resonate with them. A compassionate, stirring story that readers will not forget.—Stephanie Creamer - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
