Flowers in the Sky

by Lynn Joseph

Fifteen-year-old Nina Perez is faced with a future she never expected. She must leave her Garden of Eden, her lush home in the Dominican Republic, when she's sent by her mother to seek out a better life with her brother in New York. As Nina searches for some glimpse of familiarity amid the jarring world of Washington Heights, she must uncover her own strength. She learns to uncover roots within foreign soil and finds a way to grow, just like the orchids that blossom on her fire escape. And when she is confronted by ugly secrets about her brother's business, she comes to understand the realities of life in this new place. But then she meets him-that green-eyed boy- who she can't erase from her thoughts, the one who just might help her learn to see beauty in spite of tragedy.

From the acclaimed author of The Color of My Words comes a powerful story about a young girl who must make her way in a new world and find her place within it.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Fiction, New York, Contemporary Romance

232 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2013

About the author

Lynn Joseph's adventure travel, island hopping, and lifelong wandering have a purpose. And it's not just to find the best crepes, gelato, and champagne! She swears! Lynn writes about the places she falls in love with. She's discovered in her travels that everyone is looking for a romance and a happy ending! Especially romance authors! Her USA home base is the charming Ferry Village in South Portland, Maine, and her international home base is the Caribbean Island of Tobago, where she’s known as the Mermaid Queen. Lynn believes in protagonists of color traveling and changing the world. And falling in love, of course! She almost always finds a way to work in crepes, gelato, or champagne as part of the story (to support the research!) If you're ready for some sweet romance, join Lynn on her journey of love, food, and romantic destinations (not necessarily in that order).

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say with sufficient words how much I loved this book! I felt the beauty of the Dominican Republic, the grime of Washington Heights, the struggle of NY, and I loved the innocence and fulfillment of the flowers in the sky for Nina. And, the happy ending/new beginnings! I want to know what happens next to Nina!!

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. I started this book in the morning and finished it at night. That's how good it was. This book immediately grabs you and draws you in. I guess the fact that the characters are Latin as am I, made it really easy to connect. The language, the food, the description of the island felt all too familiar. And that made the book enjoyable. I loved the whole Latin culture in this book.

But as good as this book is, her mother annoyed me from the beginning. Like in any country, where Nina lived in Dominican Republic was very poor. And all her mom could think about was Nina moving to New York and marrying a rich Yankee. She didn't take Nina's feelings into consideration. So because of one misunderstanding she shipped Nina off to New York for a "better life." Snatching Nina from her roots and taking away the one place she called home, Samana. That part of the book was sad. I wouldn't know how to deal with being uprooted in the middle of school and sent off to some unfamiliar place.

What a cultural shock she endured when she got to The Heights. Imagine living all your life in an island beautiful with sand and gorgeous blue waters, to NYC filled with tons of people, always loud and everyone walking in a rush. This is where the book becomes interesting. You as the reader begin to notice things and see red flags wave in front of your face like "Uh Oh". This is should be interesting. I kept thinking to myself, how and why, about a lot of things. And that's one of the things I loved about this novel. I became invested in the story and its characters.

I was so drawn into this story. That from the minute Nina met her green eyed boy, I kept rooting for her. I wanted her to have a handsome prince. But things didn't come easy for them. Sure enough things become a lot more interesting with him around. I liked him from the very beginning and I couldn't help but hope for them to find their way together. As the story progresses and "Whats done in the dark, came out to light" is when all hell breaks loose. And those who have come to love Nina, comes to her rescue.

I really do love this book. It was so well written. In my opinion, despite all that happened, the story ended quite nicely. But if Ms. Joseph were to decide to write a sequel, I'll definitely read it. I want to read more about Luis, the green eyed boy. Nina grew from the start of the book to the ending. She gave herself the time she needed to work things out. She handled New York life like a trooper and I give her kudos for that. I give Flowers in the Sky a 5/5 stars and a definite Good Choice for Reading!

http://www.goodchoicereading.com/2013...

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Flowers in the Sky" is a sweet, gentle story about seeing the beauty in the everyday and making your own way in life. Girls will love the story, as will teachers for the fascinating multicultural aspect - a lovely book!

[Sakinah Al Taleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love happy endings.



It was a fluffy read that I finished in one day, which doesn't happen usually. It's more like 3.75 stars than 4.

The first half was boring for me. The second half got more interesting. The final third was just great.

[Priscilla Jimenez · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many of little things Nina describes bring back memories from when I lived back in DR (although I lived in Santiago, so I was always a city girl), and I appreciated that very much.

What bothered me slightly was that some Spanish terms were either misspelled or just not used for the appropriate people or situations. (I would never call my brother "mi amor," and most (younger) people in Washington Heights do not insert Spanish into their conversations in the same manner that these characters did, or as often. I do understand there may have been a language barrier- it would have been great to consult a native speaker.

However, I still loved the way in which Nina expresses her homesickness and her desire to be accepted in two VERY different worlds... because I can relate. When she was told from a young age that New York/Nueva York would be a safe haven to get wealthy and live a prosperous life, Nina did not expect the darkness and atmosphere of regret she felt as she was disillusioned upon her arrival to the U.S. and the streets of Washington Heights. I saved a special place in my heart for when she painfully describes her airplane departure and how the soft winds, familiar smells, and colors of DR would be ripped from her grasp - that feeling is all too familiar. I think her experiences as an immigrant, like myself, help us to find connection and sympathy where there is homesickness and sometimes, loneliness.

I do feel that the ending and the explanations provided in the end were a little fast-paced, but I can say that the rest of the book kept me hooked!

All in all, I was ecstatic after being represented in this book, and I hope that as diversity grows in literature, that we can learn from novels like Flowers in the Sky to more eloquently use language and native slang to help people from all over to find a piece of home.

This book was much needed!

[Erika Castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Dominican woman myself, I’m enthralled anytime I find a book with a Dominican character. Nina, charismatic, shy, dumb, frightened, Nina explores what it means to grow up. What it means to leave her roots and dig out new roots in the states, most specifically, New York City. I enjoyed the beginning, middle and end. So realistic and beautiful and sad and just all around, a great novel. Of course, I do have to point out that I was annoyed, not often but I was regardless, of the many misspellings of Spanish words. Although I do understand the author isn’t Dominican herself, a lot of the words are quite simple. They took away from the novel whenever I caught it. Other than that, amazing. I thoroughly recommend it to any Dominican person who knows or is living in Washington heights. It’s refreshing.

[Kaleena Melotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flowers in the Sky by Lynn Joseph is probably one of the most fantastic books that I've read recently. I picked it up this morning and literally could not put it down.

First of all, the cover is very literal and beautiful. One thing that Nina has is her beautiful garden at her home in Samana, Dominican Republic, but when she is so abruptly plucked and replanted in Washington Heights, the Dominican section of New York City, that all changes. However, life is full of changes and we all must adapt. So, with the help of her brother, Darrio, she begins growing flowers in the sky - on the fire escape out the window of their apartment. Darrio was the one she looked up to at home in Samana, but she can't help but notice how much he has changed since she last saw him, but is it just time, or something else entirely? As Nina learns to navigate a completely new life, she feels alone. This novel centers on Nina and her struggles to find her place in this strange new world of bustling traffic and noisy people.

I absolutely loved how the author painted the setting so completely. When Nina talked about the beautiful flowers and trees in her garden or the music playing as she and her Mami strolled down the malecón (like a boardwalk along a waterfront), I felt like I was sitting with her or walking with them. I could hear the music in my mind and wanted to get up and dance. Then, the feeling became completely different when she arrived in NYC and I shared Nina's apprehension and loneliness.

The characters in this book are so complete. Usually, I have at least one thing that I wish the author had done with character development, but these main characters were well defined (and mysterious) and the minor characters added the necessary filling to the story. The story is from Nina's point of view, so her confusion is your confusion, her struggle is your struggle. Nina is constantly trying to stay true to herself throughout this journey. Darrio, who should be helping her and looking out for her, seems angry and keeps so many secrets from her. Truthfully, for at least the first half of the story, I was angry at him for his lack of honesty with Nina - what was so bad that he has to hide everything from her? Luis is the bad boy (or is he?) crush that Nina develops at the drop of a hat, but he's tall and has amazing green eyes, so who wouldn't? Luis is very mysterious as well, but unlike Darrio, he seems to only have the best of intentions when it comes to Nina. (You can't help but fall for him too!) Señora Rivera is the one constant that Nina meets and has in her life. She is like her motherly figure who will always tell her the truth in the confusing city where everyone else in her life seems to want to keep things from her. Several other minor characters are also there to fuel the story along, but none of them are forced, awkward, or over-the-top (which is a big pet peeve of mine).

Culture plays a huge role in this novel as well. The entire time I read, I could feel the Dominican vibe. Being a small-town Caucasian, I enjoy reading and learning about other cultures (there is very little diversity in my small town). This book was no exception. It has a smattering of Spanish words, but nothing overwhelming and the meanings are easily picked up. One thing I noticed is that in my head, as I was reading, instead of "hearing" my own voice, I heard the characters' voices and how I imagined their accents sounded. I absolutely loved that. It really brought the story to life for me.

There is an element of romance in this, but it's barely there until nearly the end of the novel. Nina is focused on her life and navigating a new confusing world; therefore, love is on the back burner, especially when Darrio and Luis seem to be at odds.

Again, this is one of the most well-written and enjoyable books I've read recently. Upon reading the description of the story, I went into it not knowing what to expect and was so pleasantly surprised with it, that it has easily become a favorite of mine and I would recommend it to everyone. It is truly spectacular.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat's Review



This is a beautiful book, from the cover to the story of a girl ripped from her home and forced to try and lay down new roots in a place that is foreign in both language and lifestyle. Nina, the 15 year old protagonist, is sent from her small village in the Dominican Republic by her mother to live in New York with her older brother Darrio, who she hasn't seen in ten years. In her village, Nina grows a garden of flowers, caring for them the way Darrio taught her before he left, and selling the flowers to make some extra money for the family. She doesn't share her mother's dream of a bigger house or to marry a rich baseball player, she only wants to be left to care for her garden and enjoy the life her small village has to offer.



I will admit, when I started reading I found the language a bit simple and naïve, but to be honest, a young girl from a small village with little access to mainstream media, and no experience with life in a big city, would have a simpler view of the world. Not inferior, or less intelligent, but different. Her experiences were limited and her interactions with strangers were sheltered by her very protective mother. It becomes apparent throughout the book that Nina's outlook on things are sheltered, just as it becomes obvious that her mother's impressions of what lie is like in New York are coloured by the stories she hears when people return to the village on vacation. In many ways Nina's character reads younger than a typical North American 15 year old. She wasn't allowed to wear make-up, or date, or even spend time with boys back home. She wasn't watching music videos or talking on cellphones or using the internet. It takes some getting used to as a reader, but I think it was authentic in many ways.

The author is able to really make the reader feel Nina's confusion and dismay when she first ventures out in New York City with her brother. The noise, the people, the buildings, everything is an assault on the senses. Just as confusing is the tiny apartment her brother inhabits, mostly devoid of furniture. Nina realizes that life in New York isn't the idealistic picture painted by those who return to the Dominican on vacation, but rather a more complicated and cut-throat way of life, one that her brother was thrown into alone at the age of eighteen. The way Nina adjusts to this new way of life, her brother's secrets, and being a teenager at an American high school form much of the story.

Rating: A Good Read

Although rated YA, it would appeal to younger teens or even some middle grade readers maybe more than to older teens looking for a more sophisticated protagonist or a more typical teen romance. I think it has great crossover appeal and would be a good book to use in a classroom setting when discussing immigration, culture shock, traditions, or any number of issues. A really beautiful read.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a 16 year old girl named Nina who lived in the Dominican Republic. She enjoyed her life very much and loved where she lived. Although she had to move away to New York because her mom insisted. All her mom wanted was for Nina to marry a rich man. She didn't take her daughters feelings into consideration. Nina's life changed completely, she thought she would never adapt to her new life. Nina kept asking her mom to move back but she no longer could. From a beautiful island in the tropics to NYC full of people walking around in crowds. The thought of it made Nina very upset. Her relationship with her mom didn't go so well afterwards, however she eventually worked things out and faced reality. Nina decided to try and fit in to a whole new culture, new customs and a different school. She is my favorite character. I admire her for the things she went through and how hard she tried to get to where she is now. I like this book because it teaches readers that there are things people don't like in life and things they don't want to conform to, but it's important to move on and accept the challenges that life gives you to overcome.

[Elli Isaacson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three words was all it took for me to start reading this book faster than I have ever read it before!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read about family, secrets, redemption and personal growth.

[Marisa Buller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like books that use Spanish words and phrases, but if you’re going to publish such a book, please, for the love of God, get a copy editor who’s Spanish-proficient. Most of the time when I read English books peppered with Spanish words and phrases, the Spanish has some mistakes. This book, however, was the worst example I’ve seen so far: dozens of missing accent marks, missing punctuation, typos, and an entire sentence that was syntactically incorrect. It was distracting, and the lack of linguistic authenticity made the story seem even more unrealistic and unbelievable. Works written in 2 languages should be edited and proofed thoroughly in both languages. Get somebody who can do both. Also, @HarperCollins...I’m Spanish-proficient.

[Kym McNabney]

I purchased this book used at the resale shop for silly reasons. I was not expecting much. After reading a few reviews my expectations were lowered. I can't say that I was impressed with the writing. The author was telling rather then showing which makes all the difference between a good read and a not so good read. There was no connection to the characters. It was more like, here is the facts, missing the opportunity to be taken away into the world of the characters. The author had a good storyline, just didn't execute it properly. Such a waste of a good story idea. Do I regret reading it? No. It was educational for my writing experience. And there were a few good lines and I enjoyed the little I learned about a famous painter.

[Lylli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because it is unlike everything I've ever read. I was really intrigued by the synopsis and I wanted to know more about Nina's life.
I think that parts of this book were very confusing because of the many plot holes. At first you think she's sixteen, then she's fourteen, then fifteen. Then she moves in with her brother and everything is all shady. You think one topic is dropped, but then it's suddenly brought up again.
I really enjoyed the diverse read, but I think it could've been a lot better.

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

No es en sí una mala historia, pero tiene detalles como que la lengua materna de los protagonistas es español, pero dicen cosas como "Neuva" en vez de "Nueva York", o "princessa". Y al principio dije, ok, quizá en República Dominicana así es y "Darrio" en verdad es un nombre allá, lo que sea. Pero cuando la protagonista responde a "Mucho gusto" con "Te gusta es mío" C'MON! ¿De verdad nadie, NADIE en la editorial hablaba español o se le ocurrió consultar con alguien cómo se decían las cosas en español? O quizá así se dice en algún lugar y yo simplemente no sé.

[Linda Cousens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both the cover and the title attracted me to this book. Nina Perez lives with her mother in a beautiful area of the Dominican Republic with trees and flowers all around them. At the age of 15, her mother sends her to New York to live with her brother hoping she will have a better life there. New York is such a shock to Nina, she immediately wants to go home. She has never seen tall buildings, escalators, highways or anything typical of a large city. She is a wonderful character and this book is really worth reading.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that Lynn Joseph deserves far more attention than she receives for her books. I first got to know her writing when I read An Island Christmas. I felt it was so sweet and natural. The illustrations were lovely. I read it for years in the classes that I taught.

I loved this book, the writing and the story, until the end. Yikes! What happened? Such a terrific story but it had a vague and unsatisfying ending. I guess to make the best of it the reader could make up their own alternative ending. I was disappointed. Sigh.

[C. J. Borntrager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful and mysterious

I was so surprised by the direction this book took. Nina was a wonderfully enjoyable character and the mysterious Luis kept me guessing and guessing until his secrets were laid bare. A definite must read for all

[Grace Morton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly not the greatest book. While the plot is fairly good, I did noy enjoy any of the characters besides Nina. Pretty sure I even found a few grammatical errors! Do I regret reading this book? No, I just wish it was written a bit better.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The romance felt slightly rushed to me. It is a great book, though.

[Musabbihah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!

[joy evangelista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minsan parang unrealistic ang kuwento pero habang nililipat mo ang pahina ng libro ay mapapaisip ka. Mapapaisip ka kung paano kaya kung ikaw ang naroon sa sitwasyon ni Nina? Kakayanin mo rin kaya?

[Iliana Noory · Rating 1 out of 5]

My family is of Dominican decent. I was born and raised in the US and I do not think that the representation of the Dominican people in this book was accurate and in fact was a bit offensive atlas to me. I think that some authors run into this issue when writing about a culture they are not part of. The book painted dominicans mainly as money hungry, possibly drug dealers, and people of illegal money earnings. Not cool.

[Sabeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabeen Khan
Ms. Dipasquale
07/28/2016
Goodreads Book Report

I highly recommend the novel Flowers in The Sky, written by Lynn Joseph, to people of all ages and gender. I recommend this novel because its more diverse than most books. It tells you about lives of people who do not live in the U.S.
My book, Flowers in The Sky, is about a fifteen-year-old girl, Nina Perez who moved from her lush home in the Dominican Republic to Washington Heights, New York for a better life. Her mother believes that she will get a better education, and a better chance at life if she moves in with her brother, Darrio. Nina however does not want to leave her beautiful garden in Samana, or her friends, and most importantly leave her mother all alone. Sadly, she has no choice and her mother’s decision is final. Skipping forward a little, when Nina is walking with her brother to his apartment she sees someone from the corner of her eye. Who could it be? As she turns around she sees this cute boy with “sparkling green eyes” and her attitude changes just a bit. Her brother played a big role in helping Nina adjust to her new home. He bought her flowers, orchids, and put them on her fire escape. There she said “It’s like flowers in the sky.” The story piece by piece unfolds the shocking events of everyone in her new town.
The novel starts with grabbing the reader’s attention. Nina and her mother are arguing about why moving to New York is a great decision. Unlike Nina most people in the Dominican Republic want to go to “Nueva York” because its their dream for a better life. Most of the readers already live in the U.S and it makes them want to continue reading about what the hype is all about. Also, the reader can connect to the narrator because once in their lives they have argued with their parent about something.
People should read this book so it can show them the struggle of being an immigrant and to show them that they are lucky to get an education. Also, since this book is about a girl from the Dominican Republic you get to see life from her point of view. Now I know what some people might think. Someone might say that they are not able to connect with the narrator in any way, but they are incorrect. Nina is just like most of us. She goes to school, hangs out with her friends, and spends time with her family just like most of us.
Although, this book is different people should definitely read it. Nina’s character is a great way to show people that you can always adjust to change. Even though it took her some time it was worth it in the end.

[Once]

Flowers in the Sky was a touching coming of age novel filled with family secrets and a since of belonging for 16 year old Nina. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Nina is forced by her mother to move to New York City in hopes for a better life. A life where finding the perfect husband is a top priority. Nina takes the long trek to the states, where she is greeted by her loving brother Darrio. Little does she know that Darrio has other plans of his own. Nina will continue to attend high school in preparation for college. Being away from home often brings a sense of homesickness, which it did for Nina. She missed her world. Her friends. Her ability to do the things that she loved, for example gardening. Living in the big city doesn't lend well to gardening, but her brother Darrio, encourages Nina to begin growing orchids from her window fire escape. The orchids that Nina grows are a true sign of symbolism that represent hope, strength and love. New friendships are developed, some stronger than others. Nina is forced to decide between the mysterious Luis, with endless money and an mysterious background or Carlos, a student anxiously preparing his future for the medical field.

Flowers in the Sky has a very smooth transition from event to event through the life of Nina. It was a very simple read, with slightly predictable moments, however for an upper middle level to high school reader this book would be right on point. I did find that the size of the book was a bit of an issue for me. The book was not of normal size. Its pettiness reminded me of the the delicate orchids that Nina grew, however because of the size of the novel, the font size was small as well. I found myself straining at times to read the text, as reading this type of font was a first for me.

Overall, would this be a book that I would normally pick up off the shelf, probably not. I'm still looking for some details that truly made me stay connected with Nina and her life and family. Still searching for elements of the story that truly pull the reader in and make you hold on until the very last page. Nina's story has ended for now. I'm ok with that fact, as there really wasn't an emotional connection to the novel.

http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2013...

[Deitre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flowers in the Sky was a touching coming of age novel filled with family secrets and a since of belonging for 16 year old Nina. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Nina is forced by her mother to move to New York City in hopes for a better life. A life where finding the perfect husband is a top priority. Nina takes the long trek to the states, where she is greeted by her loving brother Darrio. Little does she know that Darrio has other plans of his own. Nina will continue to attend high school in preparation for college. Being away from home often brings a sense of homesickness, which it did for Nina. She missed her world. Her friends. Her ability to do the things that she loved, for example gardening. Living in the big city doesn't lend well to gardening, but her brother Darrio, encourages Nina to begin growing orchids from her window fire escape. The orchids that Nina grows are a true sign of symbolism that represent hope, strength and love. New friendships are developed, some stronger than others. Nina is forced to decide between the mysterious Luis, with endless money and an mysterious background or Carlos, a student anxiously preparing his future for the medical field.

Flowers in the Sky has a very smooth transition from event to event through the life of Nina. It was a very simple read, with slightly predictable moments, however for an upper middle level to high school reader this book would be right on point. I did find that the size of the book was a bit of an issue for me. The book was not of normal size. Its petiteness reminded me of the the delicate orchids that Nina grew, however because of the size of the novel, the font size was small as well. I found myself straining at times to read the text, as reading this type of font was a first for me.

Overall, would this be a book that I would normally pick up off the shelf, probably not. I'm still looking for some details that truly made me stay connected with Nina and her life and family. Still searching for elements of the story that truly pull the reader in and make you hold on until the very last page. Nina's story has ended for now. I'm ok with that fact, as there really wasn't an emotional connection to the novel.

[Ariel.renée · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this book three stars because I couldn't give it five, so I was going to give it four, but then I thought about it more, and I can't like it that much. The beginning was pretty slow, then I started to really like it because it was so real. It was almost too realistic because it made me think of my life. But it kept at the same pace so it wasn't so special, it's just that there were a lot of good truths in it that in small sentences gave a whole lot of life meaning, but then I got to the end. And the last sentence can be interpreted many, multiple ways, all of which I thought of were mostly negative besides one. But, in any case, I like the truths in this book, I like the reality, the reason why it's not so complete for me is because it ends (and is meant to end) before the time of Nina's life that I imagine when reading it. So, I guess I'd say it's about a 3.48 star worthy book for me. I did enjoy reading it. I guess it also didn't do full justice for me because going into it it wasn't really my kinda book, but that is only so for the beginning and the end, which are sometimes the most important parts, but I still like the middles. I have respect for the author, Lynn Joseph, and I think it would be cool to meet her to discuss the philosophies I see in this work because just those little parts strike me as a part of her poured out plainly to see. Maybe it's just me, but maybe not. And for anyone reading this whole scatter-brained review, I apologize for not being able to voice myself the way most people do in a formal comment of a literary subject. As I re-read the beginning of my reveiw, I get even more mixed about this book, but that happens after most books I read, it's hard to come to a solid conclusion about something cause I'm pretty equal towards everything, so if you're thinking about it at all, you probably should just read this book because it's fast and if you're tinking about it, then it's probably a pretty good choice for you because a lot of people could relate to the humanism in it.
This is the longest review I've ever written, so if you powered through and got to the end, thank you, it really means something because people don't normally take the time to listen
:D

[Rich in Color is now on StoryGraph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to be honest — I borrowed this book because of its gorgeous cover. I mean, look at it! Those orchids, that blurred background, the italicized title — it’s like one of those artsy pictures on tumblr with the inspirational quote in the middle (“the road to love takes many paths”). Props to jacket designer Erin Fitzsimmons.

From the very beginning, you are awash with a sense of the bittersweet. The protagonist Nina Perez does not want to leave her “seaside home in Samana on the north coast where the humpback whales come every winter and fill Samana Bay with miracles and tourists” (1). She has every reason to love her home in the Dominican Republic, a place brimming with sunlight and blooming life. Nina is the flower girl and she belongs there. The chapters set in Samana are truly beautiful.

[warning: slight spoilers]
The first person narration allows you to view New York through Nina’s eyes as an immigrants unused to city life. While Nina’s perspective makes her plight easily understood, it does little to explain her sudden love interest. To me, it felt like the romance split the narrative into two parallel stories. There is the story of Nina, the flower girl who adapts to New York and grows strong enough to recognize the desperation of her brother. Her strength and independence manifests itself in the orchids blooming on her fire escape. And then there is the story of Nina, the helpless girl who needs her green-eyed love to rush in and carry her off on his trusty white steed. (Seriously, the guy has a white jeep.) The sibling dynamic between Nina and her brother is compelling enough to drive the story forward and I wish it had gotten the attention it deserved.

For the most part, Flowers in the Sky lives up to its title. The story and the floral theme work together to conjure up an image of orchids struggling to flourish in the sky — it’s a poem in the guise of a novel.

Recommendation: Borrow it sometime if you see it in the library. (If lover-to-the-rescue isn’t your thing, maybe skip it.) It’s a short, sweet read.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real rating: 3.5 stars

Originally posted on hello, chelly.

***

The good: Nina Perez' story is one that felt familiar to me in many, many ways. I was born here but my parents and the majority of my family emigrated from the Philippines to live in the US. But I've heard stories about our country. The heat, the islands, their lifestyle in which maids and drivers are completely normal to have but most of all, how they all wanted to come to the US for the opportunities. I don't think it quite lived up to the fantasy they had built up in their minds (my one cousin didn't want to come here at all but her parents insisted) but in the end, they're all happy here and grateful. It just took some adjusting. As I read about Nina Perez's own struggles to figure out her place, a lot of the same feelings expressed to me by my family mirrored Nina's. It made the book feel both real and authentic in its portrayal.

But the book doesn't just explore adjusting to a new country. The theme of family and the things (more like sacrifices) we make for our family is extremely important to Nina and her brother. Both of whom crumble under the pressure put on them by their mother and led them to make some really bad mistakes. Or in some cases, pressure can have the opposite effect and force you to stand up for yourself.

(Minor) reservations: I wish the book had been longer. The relationships in this book are so important - familial and romantic - but I felt like the family side of things didn't get enough resolution. I also liked the romance but it did happen rather quickly and I think more time should've been put into developing it.

Do I recommend?: It's a very simple, straightforward story but one that I found moving. (It also made me wish I was on a island somewhere!). If you're in the mood for a quick read, I'd recommend this.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book "Flowers in the Sky" by Lynn Joseph is about Nina, a teenage girl who lived in the Dominican Republic. She liked her life there but unfortunately her mother wanted to move away with her to New York. Her mom wanted her to marry a rich man but Nina didn't care about how much rich a guy is as long as he has a rich personality. When she moved to New York she wanted to leave right away, she wasn't used to living in a crowded place. She missed where she lived and thought her mom was making a wrong decision and worrying too much about money and less about her happiness. Nina started getting in arguments with her mom but when time passed by she realized that living in New York wasn't as bad as she thought it would be.

Nina loves to grow things in her garden. She wants to take care of it and make money by selling flowers from her garden. She likes living a simple life unlike her mother who wants to live a life full of luxury. She met a guy that she started to like, he was poor, but his car looked expensive. She was wondering what he did to pay for it. Was it something bad? Maybe, because her brother told Nina that she shouldn't be with him. Her brother changed throughout the years and had some secrets.

I recommend this book to people who like reading poetry and novels because this book is like a mix of those two genres. Furthermore, this book can make you feel connected to Nina and her life and how it changed because of her mom's decisions. I wouldn't say that this book is boring but I think it would make people want to read more of it because it's pretty short. Overall, it's good short and sweet story to read.