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Mar 08, 2011

Cara rated it:

Did you know that everybody has a story behind their name? I'm not talking about your given name, but your nickname. It's true what they say in this book, in the hispanic culture you are always given a nickname that you're called by. In my house nobody calls me by my given name. Verdita starts her story by sharing the story of her name. Perfect way to unfold the story.

Verdita is an eleven-year-old girl who is growing up in Puerto Rico in the 1960's. The country is starting to see cha More...

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Aug 16, 2010

Cherie rated it:

This was a delightful depiction of life in Puerto Rico during that time period. The food mentioned in the book really made my mouth water and made me want to eat my own Puerto Rican mom's cooking. It would have been nice if the author had included some recipes in the book for some of the dishes mentioned. This would allow those not familiar with the dishes to know what they contain and even try to make them themselves so they could feel even more of a connection to the story as well as try a More...

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Jun 30, 2011

Anita rated it:

A coming of age book set in 1961 Puerto Rico, this is the story of Verdita and how her life at 11 is changing and growing. We meet Verdita, happy and loved by her Mama and Papi, curious about what lies ahead in her life. She is most curious about The States, and everything that is different and in her opinion and dreams, wonderful about the United States. Verdita is curious about people who are blonde, white skinned, and much more. She dreams of milk that comes from cows, and not a box or a More...

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Oct 11, 2009

Tara rated it:

I do not normally go for books about adolescent or pre teen characters, but the Puerto Rican setting and promise of the island's history compelled me to read this. I am glad I did. I enjoyed it even tho the main character, Verdita is only eleven and twelve throughout the novel. Verdita is a growing girl residing in the Puerto Rican countryside in 1970s. Thru her eyes, readers get an engrossing look at Puerto Rican/United States relations, cockfighting, family customs, and food. While gettin More...

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May 19, 2010

Abby rated it:

This was a quick, easy read. It's a coming of age story about a 12 year old girl, Verdita, wanting to immerse herself in American culture during the early 1960's. It does, however, have mild sexual content and adult themes in it which I found a little disturbing especially because the main character is only 12 years old!! I would not recommend it for younger readers.

Overall, it was just an okay book. It was nice getting to read and learn more about Puerto Rican culture though. The a More...

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Jul 20, 2011

Kayla rated it:

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I thought McCoy captured the mind of an 11-year-old girl perfectly. I was able to relate to a lot of things that Verdita experienced, such as her first bad dye job. I experimented with a few dye jobs myself when I was around that age, none of which turned me into a beautiful young lady like I believed it would--the end results turned out to be at the opposite end of that spectrum.

The glimpse of Puerto Rico during the early 60's was also really fun to More...

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Aug 16, 2009

Nika rated it:

PG-13 (mild sexual content, adult themes)

A 12 year old girl, Verdita, comes of age by learning a lot about male-female relationships in the period of one year, 1961. What she learns is disturbing to her at first, but then she likes the idea. That's the whole story.

I read this in one day, and have to admit that I was sucked in by the beautiful cover. Not really worth my time, to be honest. Some of the writing is lovely, but by the end of the book, I was thinking, " More...

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Aug 15, 2011

Jessica rated it:

Setting is an important part of this coming-of-age novel, and McCoy does an amazing job of taking the reader there. We join sweet 11-year-old Verdita Ortiz-Santiago on the island of Puerto Rico, 1961. It's a time when the island is debating whether it should stay connected to the United States or become an independent country, and when Verdita struggles with whether to stay connected with her family and traditions or become an independent young woman. With authentic, stunning detail, McCoy allow More...

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Dec 12, 2009

Lady rated it:

Puerto Rico became alive and full of vivid colors through Sarah McCoy's description of the island. It is an enchanted island full of beauty. One has to go up to the mountains to find it. It is not found in the cities where tourist lay out tanning themselves, but as Sarah so beautifully uncovered, the island's heart beat is found in the people and their daily living in the small towns nestled between mountain ridges. I hope that everyone who desires to go to the island will take time to visit t More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Aug 17, 2010

Camille rated it:

i read it because puerto rico was in the title and i learned that the author was 1/2 puerto rican, like me, and i wanted hear what she had to say.
i finished it, which is good, but i wouldn't list it as a fav or even something really good. it was just okay.
the book tells the story of a pre-pubescent girl growing up in the jibaro country of puerto rico. this means, she lives on her family's farm in a small mountain town and her family are considered countryfolk. i found her naivete ver More...

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Jul 11, 2011

Spencer rated it:

Rich in culture and language, this beautiful book touched my heart from start to finish. I think "coming of age," the term, is overused, but this was a true one. Sweet and vivid and honest, both spiritual and fantastical. I enjoyed the sincerity and youthfulness of the narrator's perspective. Particularly insightful was the way the author touched on the disconnects between our parents' beliefs and our own (religious, political, existential), as we go through this amazing, difficult More...

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Jan 16, 2010

Ashlie rated it:

I was excited to discover this novel: I received it in a Goodreads giveaway and was eager to read it and discover a new author, Sarah McCoy.

The story was very sweet and the characters definitely had an authenticity and depth to them. With no exposure to either Puerto Rico and its inhabitants I found the novel interesting for the glimpse it gave me into another way of life.

It was an easy read and a quality piece of young adult fiction. The themes were not so childish t More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Jan 17, 2010

Paulette rated it:

Had entered the Goodreads Giveaway. When I didn't win I still marked to read. Got the book at the library. Coming of age story of a young girl living in Puerto Rico in the early 1960s. Enjoyed the story but got frustrated with all the Spanish words. Wish there would have been a glossary to turn to. Gave up on heading to the computer for translation and feel I may have missed out on some things.

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Aug 17, 2009

Sammi rated it:

This book is told through the eyes of young Verdita who is trying to find herself in Puerto Rico as she is constantly longing for an American experience. It is beyond a quick read (took me three hours) during which I felt like I had immersed myself into Puerto Rican culture. I think it was a great first novel by Sarah McCoy and I recommend it to all- especially those who like to feel a new culture.

2 comments like (3 people liked it)

Aug 05, 2011

Mara added it

well the author and i have something in common spending summers in PuertoRrico with family. i really enjoyed reading this book as it brought back alot of memories for me. its hard to express exactly all the things in this book bbut i enjoyed how it was woven and wonderfully written.

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Feb 21, 2010

Natalie rated it:

I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I read this one, I rarely pick up a coming of age novel. The title hooked me though. I lived in Puerto Rico for about a year and I loved revisiting my island in this book. I believe the essence of what PR is and who its people are are capture in this book. A great quick read.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 30, 2009

Venessa (PebbleCafe) rated it:

I just saw the ad on here and immediately clicked on it. I'm SO excited to get my hands on this book. It isn't very often (okay, rare!) that PR is in a book title let alone set on/about the island.

UPDATE: Finished last night. When I closed the back cover I realized I was smiling. (I wondered how long I was doing that?) I really liked this book, the writing style and characters. Of course the title and setting drew me to this book, but the story itself kept me reading.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 29, 2009

Christine rated it:

I love my Spanish speaking students but most of my Puerto Ricans drive me nuts and I can't exactly tell you why. I thought I'd try this book and maybe I could embrace them as a people a little more. Yeah...didn't like the book....maybe because the story was all too familiar.

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Apr 08, 2009

Andrew rated it:

I have heard about this new book and looked it up on Amazon.com. Some of the other books about Puerto Rico make the island seem so dismal. I hear that this book creates a different picture of the island. I look forward to a fresh new look at PR! Can't wait for its release!!!

1 comment like

May 14, 2010

Stacy rated it:

This story was a fun quick read. I won it as a giveaway and it came with food, music and other items in the story. So it was a lot of fun to read about them and then try them myself.

The story is written from the perspective of a young girl, which was interesting, and provided for some humor, but also probably limited the extent to which the political events mentioned could really be addressed or explored. Knowing nothing really about the history of Puerto Rico there were some things More...

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Aug 14, 2009

Rosanna marked it as to-read

I vacationed in PR twice last summer, laid on the beach at the resort, partied, sipped on posoa, and made new friends there. I MISS IT!!! Hoping this book can take me back to the memories and it's paradise.. Can't wait to read it!

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Jan 04, 2009

Kate rated it:

This is such a sweet, vibrant coming-of-age story. It's Annie John without quite so much anger and The House on Mango Street without quite so much disappointment and dejection. It's a bildungsroman with a bit more optimism.

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Sep 10, 2009

Holly rated it:

This book is about a young girl entering her teen years growing up in Puerto Rico. I'd probably give it a 2.5 if I could. It is not great but it is interesting to read about Puerto Rico through the eyes of a native girl.

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Aug 04, 2009

Karlan rated it:

A coming of age story for a young girl in Puerto Rico who faces problems in her family. A new baby boy is not the immediate joy which was anticipated. The characters, adult and youth, are interesting and the plot engaging.

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Mar 29, 2011

Natasha rated it:

This seemed to provide a good representation of life in Puerto Rico during that time period. It's kind of sad how America and our cultures intrudes on other cultures. Verdita was annoying and bratty. I never did figure out her exact age.

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Sep 21, 2009

Perrel rated it:

This debut novel is a quick read. Its adolescent narrator is charming, the setting is well conjured, and the writing is clean and strong. The story, however, seems more suitable for young adults than adults.

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May 17, 2011

Janet rated it:

I really enjoyed this book. It was different from what I've been currently reading and I can't recall one based in Puerto Rico so I learned from it, too. It's a wonderful coming of age story. Well written and engaging. I look forward to reading more from Sarah McCoy!

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Mar 18, 2010

Lisa rated it:

A pleasant and easy read. Coming of age plot geared toward young adult females, but the author’s lovely writing style made it enjoyable for me, also. Good bedtime or rainy day read.

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Dec 09, 2011

Amanda rated it:

This book is just beautiful! Wonderful story and rich in culture. I first read this book several years ago. Now, I'm thinking I wouldn't mind reading it again.

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Jan 26, 2010

Tbb113 rated it:

This was a quick fun read covering two years of life for an 11 year old girl in Puerto Rico in the early 1960s. Nice glimpse into their culture as well.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

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