Shut Up, this is Serious
Shut Up, this is Serious by Carolina Ixta is a young adult fiction debut published by HarperCollins Publishers in 2024. This 349-page novel explores the lives of two Latina teens in East Oakland as they navigate the complexities of adolescence, family dynamics, and societal expectations. The story centers on Belén Dolores Itzel del Toro, who grapples with personal challenges, including her father’s absence and the pressures of impending graduation, while supporting her best friend Leti, who faces her own struggles.
Readers will find a poignant exploration of friendship and the impact of generational cycles in this narrative. The book delves into themes of diversity and multicultural experiences, highlighting the unique challenges faced by young women in contemporary society. As Belén confronts her own uncertainties about the future, the story captures the messy realities of growing up, making choices, and the importance of chosen family amidst adversity.
Official synopsis Publisher
WINNER OF THE PURA BELPRÉ YA AUTHOR AWARD
* A Morris Award Finalist * Parade Best Young Adult Books of All Time * Indie Next List Pick *
An unforgettable YA debut about two Latina teens growing up in East Oakland as they discover that the world is brimming with messy complexities, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Erika L. Sánchez.
Belén Dolores Itzel del Toro wants the normal stuff: to experience love or maybe have a boyfriend or at least just lose her virginity. But nothing is normal in East Oakland. Her father left her family. She’s at risk of not graduating. And Leti, her super-Catholic, nerdy-ass best friend, is pregnant–by the boyfriend she hasn’t told her parents about, because he’s Black, and her parents are racist.
Things are hella complicated.
Weighed by a depression she can’t seem to shake, Belén helps Leti, hangs out with an older guy, and cuts a lot of class. She soon realizes, though, that distractions are only temporary. Leti is becoming a mother. Classmates are getting ready for college. But what about Belén? What future is there for girls like her?
From debut author Carolina Ixta comes a fierce, intimate examination of friendship, chosen family, and the generational cycles we must break to become our truest selves.
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