Audiobook Review: Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Book: 65/150

Review: 3.5/5

Summary: Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people…

In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.

Separated by distance—and Papi’s secrets—the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.

And then, when it seems like they’ve lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.

Thoughts: I am glad that I listened to this one on audio (through Libro.fm). The narration is passionate and animated, which always makes for an engaging listen. The story is told in almost a poetic way, which when reading, felt like I was listening to slam poetry. I think I would have struggled to read the book in it's non-traditional format but I was able to adjust to it quickly when listening.

This was a different book because from the get go, you know the general plot and you know the big secret the two main characters don't know. But the author writes their stories in such an authentic and engaging way that it really doesn't matter that you know what's going to happen. You want to see how Camino and Yahaira adjust to their new realities and overcome their hardships. I loved all the strong female relationships in this book and really want to read more of Acevedo's work.