Reviews

• Sucks you in

  Absolutely hooked from the first page, a real story, real good writing, captivating, heart pulling, tear jerking, EYE OPENING, one of the best books I've ever read! One of those books where you miss the characters like family when its done! Wish it could have went on forever!

• a must read!

  a sometimes harrowing but fascinating glimpse into the world of Hispanic dwellers in the South Bronx of New York

• Empathy

  I think I gained some. Thanks, Adrian for teaching this old bird about poverty and love. It was one of the most difficult and rewarding books I’ve ever read.

• A Gem!

  I normally can finish a book pretty quickly -- even a rather lengthy one. That wasn't the case here. NOT because it wasn't engaging because it very much captured my attention and interest; but because it is a complex portrait of multiple lives, of family, friends and neighbors and their environment -- a "character" in itself! It and they can be confusing to keep track of at times but very much worth the time and effort to engage. With all of the people involved and their families, boyfriends, girlfriends, children, teachers, neighbors etc, since I can't name all, I will try to just include some of the issues covered in their lives, the challenges and my thoughts on it all. Poverty is a factor that can be found in most any country, city or town. So is single parenting -- by necessity and sometimes by choice. It seemed that poverty was all encompassing for these families and I actually shivered at certain parts when they described roach infestations and living in substandard conditions on so little, without enough food, being afraid to get up in the night because of stepping on roaches in the dark, eating inadequate diets at times when money was gone, depending on a boyfriend IF he happens to come by, so your newborn can have diapers. I hate to say this because I'm not generally a judgemental person but some of the things they went through were brought on by poor choices and the underlying need for hope, responsible and attentive parenting, clear expectations and consistency as well as love! You can't (or shouldn't) be popping out babies like a Pez candy dispenser and then expect your older children to help raise them or parent them in your absence. It's not fair to them. A big factor in the Bronx neighborhood where the families live is babies having babies. They've watched their mothers in many cases with one boyfriend after another, having sex with each guy and often getting pregnant by these guys, drug deals happening in their living rooms at times or below their apartment. Daddies and boyfriends hauled off to jail for dealing or worse, having to sleep on the floor or pile on a mattress on the floor. It's not surprising these children act out or withdraw, suffer from asthma or allergies, have a hard time falling asleep and/or waking up and then go and repeat the patterns by also having children! And some of the parents (Lourdes comes to mind especially), just seem to accept it. Which explains why some of the young ones see it as the norm. And why let a house full of friends, acquaintances etc stay when things are so chaotic and financially tight? I am sure they are trying to help but their responsibility is their children first! Hard to accept that however when you yourself are essentially still a child who deserves a parent to adequately parent you. I would be remiss not to mention Mercedes... I just wanted to wrap that little girl in a protective hug and let her cry while I held her. I wanted to explain things to her in age appropriate ways. I wanted to take away her sad outrageous experience of having genital warts as a child and the disrespect and disregard of having to listen to your own mother tell EVERYONE she encountered initially because she was so devastated. Great writing and excellent book!

• Five Stars

  Great. Exactly as advertised.

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