Contemporary YA: Shut Up This is Seriously Good (A Quick Review)

I’m in the process of brushing up on my awareness of Contemporary YA books (it’s good to know what else is in the market right now that other readers are loving – so I can say readers who liked X, Y, and Z will also like my book, but also just – BOOKS ARE FUN), and I am LOVING this book, Shut Up,This Is Serious. (What a title too.)

It’s such an incredible read. First and foremost, real Latina characters drive this story, ladies who are struggling with the challenges of high school and trying to find motivation when life is throwing big problems at them.

The main character, Belén, exudes sass, but her family doesn’t talk about its trauma: Her dad left the family, and she’s devastated. She can’t understand his decision, and wondering why, she cannot focus on her life.

Leti (the other main character, Belén’s best  friend) cares so much about school and getting into Berkeley (they live in Oakland, California), but alas, she just found out she’s pregnant. And while the fact that her parents are racist may not seem like that big of a deal, Leti’s boyfriend also happens to be black.

One of my favorite components of the book is the voice. This is the elusive component of writing, when it actually sounds like a person talking, like a person you might know already and like a lot. I love the voice in this book.

It’s also great in audiobook version for readers who struggle with getting into a book. Think of audiobooks as a movie without pictures. Listen to it in the car. It is definitely worth a listen or three.

I’m loving this and I’m grateful to Carolina Ixta for crafting and perfecting this West coast story that would work just as well in Texas or with my current college kids in Florida.

Read it NOW.

And let’s all start paying more attention to Carolina Ixta – She can tell a heartbreaking and funny story.