Description
From the No.1 New York Times bestselling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for readers of all ages comes a thought-provoking and timely novel about immigration, family, friendship, and finding out where you belong.
Jasmine de los Santos has always done what's expected of her. Pretty and popular, she's studied hard, made her Filipino immigrant parents proud, and is ready to reap the rewards in the form of a full college scholarship. And then everything shatters. A national scholar award invitation compels her parents to reveal the truth: their visas expired years ago.
Her entire family is illegal. That means no scholarships, maybe no college at all, and the very real threat of deportation. But Jasmine won't give up. Because when the rules you lived by no longer apply, the only thing to do is make up your own.
Review
Melissa De La Cruz is a proven and undoubtedly accomplished writer, normally known in the fantasy and paranormal genres. This is wonderfully different! It looks at the life of Jasmine, a high achieving Filipino immigrant making her way through high school in America. She captains the school champion cheerleading squad, is school valedictorian and receives a prestigious national scholarship. But her life unravels when her parents tell her that her family is in the USA illegally. Will they actually be deported?
This book has so much feeling, including a teenage romance with the son of wealthy, anti-immigration congressman. It tackles issues of politics, minority groups, first love and friendships particularly well. I loved the characters, and their relationships. It is quite a lengthy book but well worth the read, and is certainly an eye opener on the struggles of immigrants for a teenage audience.
A great, well-written contemporary story that will best suit 14+ girls.
Reviewed by Rob
