5 stars
A powerful novel in verse that proves you are more than the hardships you have faced.
I’d recommend looking at the trigger warnings before going in to this as there are quite a few traumatic events that occur. These include rape, food insecurity, homelessness, drug overdose, and police brutality. This book may not be a good fit for everyone because of this, but it does presents many hard-hitting truths and experiences that many can relate to.
The writing itself is very well-done. Velasquez excellently captures the intersection of Sarai’s innocence and youth with the knowledge of the world that ages her. At times, her understanding of her environment makes her appear like an adult, but in the next moment some of her more childish behavior comes out. She feels so real, caught between childhood and adulthood. Sarai grows so much throughout and faces so many obstacles. The reader can’t help but root for her.
Throughout the story, various characters posit what it means to “make it”, whether that involves physically getting out of Bushwick, having a nice apartment, or just feeling safe. Along the way Sarai discovers her own definition as she comes into her own identity.
The poetry in this book is phenomenal. Many of the pieces are so powerful on their own. Taken together, they create a story filled with insight, heart, and hope. This book helps illustrate how there is darkness in the world, hardships we must face, but there is also light, and sometimes that is enough.