Iveliz Explains It All

by Andrea Beatriz Arango (Author) Alyssa Bermudez (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

NEWBERY HONOR AWARD WINNER -

In this timely and moving novel in verse, a preteen girl navigates seventh grade while facing mental health challenges. A hopeful, poetic story about learning to advocate for the help and understanding you deserve.

"Powerful." --Lisa Fipps, Printz Honor-winning author of Starfish

How do you speak up when it feels like no one is listening?

The end of elementary school? Worst time of my life.

And the start of middle school?

I just wasn't quite right.

But this year?

YO VOY A MI.

Seventh grade is going to be Iveliz's year. She's going to make a new friend, help her abuela Mimi get settled after moving from Puerto Rico, and she is not going to get into any more trouble at school. . . . Except is that what happens? Of course not. Because no matter how hard Iveliz tries, sometimes people say things that just make her so mad. And worse, Mimi keeps saying Iveliz's medicine is unnecessary--even though it helps Iveliz feel less sad. But how do you explain your feelings to others when you're not even sure what's going on yourself?

Powerful and compassionate, Andrea Beatriz Arango's debut navigates mental health, finding your voice, and discovering that those who really love you will stay by your side no matter what.

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Kirkus

Starred Review
Superbly woven; a bold, deep portrayal of a young voice who needs to be heard.

Hornbook

Twelve-year-old Iveliz's first-person account amplifies the need for finding one's voice and asking for help at any age. 

ALA/Booklist

A great reminder that no one is truly alone.

School Library Journal

Starred Review
A compassionate, stirring story that readers will not forget.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review
A candid narrative told in quick-moving, rapport-like verse, made accessible by Iveliz's sarcastically funny, authentically tween voice.

Review quotes

A powerful novel in verse about a girl struggling after a devastating loss. In Iveliz Explains It All, Arango weaves together how the mind forgets, and yet cannot forget. —Lisa Fipps, Printz Honor-winning author of Starfish

A lyrical, vital, and spunky debut about mental health, grief, and the healing power of self-love. . . . A must read." —Mariama J. Lockington, author of For Black Girls Like Me

★ Full of heartbreak and compassion, Arango's debut crackles with refreshing frankness and wit. . . . Superbly woven; a bold, deep portrayal of a young voice who needs to be heard." Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Andrea Beatriz Arango
ANDREA BEATRIZ ARANGO is the Newbery Honor Award-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and is a former public school teacher with almost a decade of teaching experience. Andrea now writes the types of children's books she wishes students had more access to. She balances her life in Virginia with trips home to see her family and eat lots of tostones de pana. When she's not busy writing, you can find her enjoying nature in the nearest forest or body of water.

ALYSSA BERMUDEZ is a born and bred Nuyorican living down under in Tasmania, Australia. As an author, illustrator, and art teacher for students aged 5-75+, she strives to put the KA-POW into stories and learning, while representing children of diverse backgrounds. Her illustrations can be found on fabric and fashion, in magazines, many children's books and even on stage!
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593564004
Lexile Measure
940
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication date
September 12, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV057000 - Juvenile Fiction | Stories in Verse (see also Poetry)
JUV039240 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Depression & Mental Illness
JUV011030 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Hispanic & Latino
Library of Congress categories
Grandmothers
Diaries
Novels in verse
Racially mixed people
Alzheimer's disease
Puerto Ricans
Psychotherapy
Anxiety disorders
Novels
NEWBERY HONOR AWARD WINNER
SCBWI Golden Kite Honor Award Winner
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
Children's Book Council Best of Book of the Year
Association for Library Service Notable Children's Book

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