Iveliz Explains It All: (Newbery Honor Award Winner) Hardcover – September 13, 2022

Iveliz wants more than anything to put the past behind her. In power free verse, the author tells Iveliz's story in her own words. Despite the tragedy that has defined her life for the last two years, Iveliz believes that things are looking up. The arrival of her Puerto Rican grandmother whose Alzheimer's requires she leave her home, complicates things more than Iveliz could have ever expected. The reader quickly realizes that Iveliz's claims about everything being okay aren't really accurate. Her explosions of anger at school lead to multiple suspensions. Her belief that nobody listens to her and her refusal to even consider confiding in either her mother or her therapist make it clear that Iveliz's struggles with her mental health. Eventually, Iveliz reveals the tragedy that continues to haunt her and the guilt that she's allowed to consume her. Her grandmother's arrival adds to the stress Iveliz feels and even increases the guilt when Mimi wanders off. Her grandmother's disapproval of the medical treatment Iveliz is receiving doesn't help the situation. Eventually, Iveliz's struggles come to a head and she's left needing to either open up or shatter completely.I really loved this book. At first I found Iveliz's voice that of a snarky teen who refuses to consider that any adult knows better than she. But as I kept reading, I realized that Iveliz's reasons for not trusting anyone, even her best friend, are rooted in the tragedy that continues to eat her alive with guilt. I felt such compassion for this girl whose guilt was so deep-rooted that she refused to talk about it. The conflict with her mother and grandmother as well as her struggles at school are all a symptom of all the thoughts and feelings she's keeping buried inside. Poetry is the perfect vehicle for conveying the emotional struggles that Iveliz herself doesn't fully understand. The mixture of Spanish and English works for this story because of Iveliz's biracial identity. Most of the Spanish phrasing meanings can be understood in context.A stunning, heart-wrenching story about a girl coming to terms with her PTSD and learning to trust those her want to help her, if only she will let them. Like so many novels in verse, this one carries the reader into the heart of the character providing a chance to develop empathy. Highly recommended.

This book, written in verse by @andreabeatrizarango is amazing. I am re-learning Spanish and delighted in the rich Puerto Rican culture expressed in this book and enjoyed the "Spanglish." It reminds me of the vividness of Salty, Bitter, Sweet written by CNN producer Mayra Cuevas but in the verse style of Red, White and Whole by Rajani LaRocca. This book is fantastic for middle graders, especially those who have faced family tragedies or conflict similar to Rebecca Stead's book, The List of Things That Will Not Change. I enjoy stories of families coping with difficult situations. As an abuela, I fear slipping away like Mami, but hope that my four nietas will show the same kindness expressed by IveLiz (EE-VEH-LEASE.)

A relatable and powerfully touching story about a young girl dealing with grief and mental health issues. This is an essential read for teens and their families and anyone who works with them.

Wow! I’ve never read a novel in verse quite like this. This book is so raw. So real. So important. The style of narration, depicted as entries in a journal, allows for an intimate understanding of the mental health struggles that Iveliz is experiencing. This is something that is not often depicted in middle-grade books and is represented here in a sensitive manner with a hopeful ending focused on healing. I also loved the authentic Latinx (Puerto Rican) representation and all the Spanglish mixed in. I can see why it’s a Newbery Honor Book. Don’t miss it!

It took me a while to finish this book because it’s heavy for me. I was crying buckets as iveliz tries to understand how to control and regulate her emotions, her loneliness especially dealing with loss, struggling in school, understanding her mami and mimi, it was way too much for a pre-teen to handle.I love how on the end she finally decided to be truthful to herself :)I enjoyed reading the poems….

This is one of the most powerful and heartfelt stories that I have ever read. I am looking forward to reading it with my middle school ELA classes and working as part of lessons on reflective writing, poetry, and Social Emotional Learning. Highly recommend!

You know, honestly, I hardly know what more to say about Andrea Beatriz Arango's Iveliz Explains It All. The publisher's blurb is unusually good: it tells you everything you need to know, and everything you can be told without spoiling. It's a story told in free verse by a twelve-year-old struggling with mental health problems.One warning: Iveliz's family is from Puerto Rico. They, and Ive herself, speak a lot of Spanish. Much of the book is in Spanish. It's easy, colloquial Spanish, so if you have even a little Spanish, you probably won't have trouble with it. But a reader who understands no Spanish at all may be frustrated.

Arrived on time and it’s in excellent condition.