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A review by ashylibrarian
Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
**Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Andrea Beatriz Arango for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**
Wow...just wow...
Those were the only words to come to mind when I finished reading Andrea Beatriz Arango's debut novel in verse. Iveliz Explains it All is a middle-grade novel in verse that deals with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and anger. The story is told through the perspective of Iveliz's journal entries as she grapples with trauma from her past and how it plays into her life today.
Iveliz is struggling with her mental health. She is trying to learn how to process her emotions and doesn't feel like the support system she has is always listening - genuinely listening. Iveliz tries therapy, tries medication, and tries being open about her feelings, but things are not lining up and it becomes increasingly more difficult for her to fit in at school and at home.
I was blown away by how deeply this story touched me while reading and how accurately (to my best knowledge) this story can explain how some children cope with mental health. This story, Iveliz's story, will be an extremely impactful read for many young readers, but especially those who can feel seen through her journal, through her thoughts.
I wanted to hug Iveliz. I wanted to cry with Iveliz. I wanted to lend a listening, compassionate, and empathetic ear to Iveliz. I wanted to tell Iveliz that things will get better and that the world is a better place with her in it. There will be so many young people who will need to hear and feel these things, and I hope this book gets up into their hands when they need it. This will 100% be a go-to recommendation for my reader's advisory in the future.
Thank you, Andrea Beatriz Arango, for writing Iveliz's story and for providing resources at the end of your book for those who might be hesitant to ask.
- Normalizing therapy and medication for mental health
- Iveliz's growth in understanding herself throughout the book
- Learning how to prioritize support systems
- Living with a family member with Alzheimer's disease
Wow...just wow...
Those were the only words to come to mind when I finished reading Andrea Beatriz Arango's debut novel in verse. Iveliz Explains it All is a middle-grade novel in verse that deals with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and anger. The story is told through the perspective of Iveliz's journal entries as she grapples with trauma from her past and how it plays into her life today.
Iveliz is struggling with her mental health. She is trying to learn how to process her emotions and doesn't feel like the support system she has is always listening - genuinely listening. Iveliz tries therapy, tries medication, and tries being open about her feelings, but things are not lining up and it becomes increasingly more difficult for her to fit in at school and at home.
I was blown away by how deeply this story touched me while reading and how accurately (to my best knowledge) this story can explain how some children cope with mental health. This story, Iveliz's story, will be an extremely impactful read for many young readers, but especially those who can feel seen through her journal, through her thoughts.
I wanted to hug Iveliz. I wanted to cry with Iveliz. I wanted to lend a listening, compassionate, and empathetic ear to Iveliz. I wanted to tell Iveliz that things will get better and that the world is a better place with her in it. There will be so many young people who will need to hear and feel these things, and I hope this book gets up into their hands when they need it. This will 100% be a go-to recommendation for my reader's advisory in the future.
Thank you, Andrea Beatriz Arango, for writing Iveliz's story and for providing resources at the end of your book for those who might be hesitant to ask.
- Normalizing therapy and medication for mental health
- Iveliz's growth in understanding herself throughout the book
- Learning how to prioritize support systems
- Living with a family member with Alzheimer's disease
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Dementia, Car accident, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts