Customer Reviews
Great book. Gets right to the story. It doesn’t rely on fillers such as; how the sky is so blue or dark, no reference to anyone outside of the story or poetic details.
Set during the Civil Rights era, Rosa By Nay Other Name is a heartfelt and engaging YA novel that explores a piece of US history that is often ignored.When people talk about Civil Rights era desegregation, they’re most likely talking about Black students, but there’s another group of students who were impacted by Brown v. Board of Education.Rosa — or Rosie as the white kids at her school call her — is one such student.Rosa’s skin is light enough that she can pass as white. That means getting a better education, an education that could earn her a place in college. But when her best friends from both worlds fall in love, it becomes a recipe for disaster. And when those friends end up dead, Rosa steps forward to change the narrative.Rosa By Any Other Name is one of those stories that’s sort of like a car crash — you know something bad is coming, but you can’t look away. And that’s the point. You shouldn’t look away.Rosa By Any Other Name is a beautiful, heartbreaking story with an element of hope that runs throughout. It’s a smart, thought-provoking read that mirrors what’s happening to the same contemporary communities.Author Hailey Alcaraz’s text is clear and strong. And additional notes touch on her inspiration and more recent calls for change help put the story into perspective.
From the first page, this story will pull you into the world of 17 year old Rosa and hold you captive. Alcaraz is an incredible storyteller who seamlessly weaves history and the Mexican American experience into a compelling narrative that is raw and honest and so filled with emotion that you’ll feel like you’re right there with Rosa and the entire cast of characters through each trial and tribulation. I cannot recommend this book enough. It was that good. Easily one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Have you ever read a book where the words flowed so smoothly that it felt easy to read but comprehending and embracing the words was so heart wrenchingly difficult due to the subject matter?That’s this book.Typically, I do not like historical fiction, but I enjoyed Alcaraz’s first book, Up in Flames, so I requested this one. There is something so compelling and inspiring about the way Hailey Alcaraz writes. Her words just flow so eloquently. From the very first pages, I was engaged with this story. I adored Rosa and I thought her character was particularly powerful. She is not a starry-eyed optimist. She is a realist with hope. She wants, needs to believe in something greater but also understands the difficulties that await her and her family and friends.I want you all to go into this story blind - so I can’t discuss the plot much. I will say that this book reminded me of The Outsiders; I’m not quite sure why, to be honest. 😂 It feels like a book that should be read in junior high or late elementary school - fifth graders could read this and comprehend everything and also have in-depth discussions about everything within. It could be a staple in curriculums. The way it’s written to be easily read but also suggests more? Insanely amazing.I’d recommend this to everyone: I think young YA readers could read this book without difficulty. I think parents could read it and discuss the topics with their children. I think everyone should give this one a shot, even readers who don’t normally like historical fiction like me. If I can enjoy it, I’m sure you will too!
A powerful and emotional take on Romeo and Juliet! Well-researched and moving
