Emily is a Jewish girl from the suburbs of New York. Her mother has family in Puerto Rico, but Emily has never had contact with them—- ever... read full description
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Dec 21, 2011
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Dena Landon for TeensReadToo.com
It's the summer after her senior year, right before she and her friends split up for college, and Emily Goldberg has plans. A road trip across the country with her best friends, Izzy and Adrienne. Hanging out with her boyfriend, Nate, and maybe figuring out what they're going to do at the end of the summer. But whatever else they may have held, her plans definitely hadn't included standing in a hot, crowded funeral home in a country she'd n More...
It's the summer after her senior year, right before she and her friends split up for college, and Emily Goldberg has plans. A road trip across the country with her best friends, Izzy and Adrienne. Hanging out with her boyfriend, Nate, and maybe figuring out what they're going to do at the end of the summer. But whatever else they may have held, her plans definitely hadn't included standing in a hot, crowded funeral home in a country she'd n More...
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Aug 15, 2010
Kai (Amaterasu Reads)
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Mar 30, 2009
Allison
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I tried salsa dancing recently and was excited to stumble upon a fiction book with the word "salsa" in the title! The story was similar to "Monsoon Summer" by Mitali Perkins, but not quite as strong.
Emily Goldberg's mom is Puerto Rican and her Dad is American and Jewish. When her Puerto Rican grandmother dies, the Goldberg family goes to Puerto Rico for the funeral. It's her mom's first visit back since she left the island to go to college in the US. Emily k More...
Emily Goldberg's mom is Puerto Rican and her Dad is American and Jewish. When her Puerto Rican grandmother dies, the Goldberg family goes to Puerto Rico for the funeral. It's her mom's first visit back since she left the island to go to college in the US. Emily k More...
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Aug 17, 2010
Kai (Amaterasu Reads)
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It’s a nice read, and this is the type of book good for reading while you’re just out there, relaxing.
Emily was like a fish removed from the pond she’s been into all her life and hauled to a new place. She was awkward and confused. She didn’t know what to do, ironic, considering that she was with her family, and yet she feels like an outsider.
It’s a light-hearted, sometimes funny read which tackles some serious issues as well (Lucy and her pregnancy scare, Puerto Rico cha More...
Emily was like a fish removed from the pond she’s been into all her life and hauled to a new place. She was awkward and confused. She didn’t know what to do, ironic, considering that she was with her family, and yet she feels like an outsider.
It’s a light-hearted, sometimes funny read which tackles some serious issues as well (Lucy and her pregnancy scare, Puerto Rico cha More...
Feb 25, 2010
Maggie
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This was a very fun book about Emily going to Puerto Rico for the first time and connecting with her maternal family and her roots. I did laugh out loud a couple of times, and the story did touch on deep issues, but it still felt light.
I will mention that I read it for a paper and found some stereotypes, but I need to figure out whether the negative overpower the positive. It does show real aspects of Puerto Rico culture and life, but from a perspective of an outsider so some of the More...
I will mention that I read it for a paper and found some stereotypes, but I need to figure out whether the negative overpower the positive. It does show real aspects of Puerto Rico culture and life, but from a perspective of an outsider so some of the More...
Nov 25, 2007
Jean
rated it:
Better than some "fish out of water" books that I've read, but not earthshattering. Emily travels with her family to the funeral of her Puerto Rican grandmother - one that she has never known. In fact, her mother never talked about her family, so Emily is totally lost in this big Puerto Rican family scene. After the funeral, Emily's mother decides to stay for a while and asks that Emily stay as well. This throws Emily into a family situation that is totally unfamiliar to her and wr
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Feb 08, 2010
Tara
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Cute, but doesn't invoke deep thoughts or anything. Emily is a Jewish Puerto Rican recent high school graduate who meets her mom's Puerto Rican family for the first time when her grandmother (whom she has never met) passes away, causing her family to travel from upstate NY to the Island of Enchantment. A weekend visit becomes six weeks much to Emily's dismay. She is missing a road trip with her girlfriends and is concerned about surving a long distance relationship with her boyfriend.
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Oct 24, 2007
LFPL Teen Services
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Emily Goldberg's grandmother just died. The "other" grandmother...the Puerto Rican grandmother that her mother never talks about.
Growing up Jewish in a New York City suburb, Emily's family has enjoyed a quiet life. But now that her family needs to go to Puerto Rico, her life suddenly changes. What was expected to be a few days on the island for a funeral, has transformed into spending the summer there to support her grieving mother.
~Lisa S.
Growing up Jewish in a New York City suburb, Emily's family has enjoyed a quiet life. But now that her family needs to go to Puerto Rico, her life suddenly changes. What was expected to be a few days on the island for a funeral, has transformed into spending the summer there to support her grieving mother.
~Lisa S.
Oct 24, 2007
Lisa
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Emily Goldberg's grandmother just died. The "other" grandmother...the Puerto Rican grandmother that her mother never talks about.
Growing up Jewish in a New York City suburb, Emily's family has enjoyed a quiet life. But now that her family needs to go to Puerto Rico, her life suddenly changes. What was expected to be a few days on the island for a funeral, has transformed into spending the summer there to support her grieving mother.
Growing up Jewish in a New York City suburb, Emily's family has enjoyed a quiet life. But now that her family needs to go to Puerto Rico, her life suddenly changes. What was expected to be a few days on the island for a funeral, has transformed into spending the summer there to support her grieving mother.
Feb 28, 2010
Cristina
rated it:
After going thru surgery over the summer, I needed a light read. This book was a recommendation from the mother-daughter book club at Temple Beth Am in Miami, Fl. They have an awesome, knowledgeable and enthusiastic librarian that leads this group. Another attempt to get my daughter into reading more, not just for school, but I truly enjoyed. The voices were fresh and the story believable.
Feb 08, 2008
Emily
rated it:
Overall, an enjoyable read about a half Jewish half Puerto Rican girl who spends the summer in Puerto Rico after attending the funeral for her grandmother she never met. Through the summer she learns more about her mother and the reasons why she left the island. A fun, multicultural read that will appeal to high school girls.
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