THIS was the book my preteen self needed. Oh how wonderful it feels to see myself and my family represented. brb as i go preorder this for my copious family members lol

I don't usually read novels in verse, but as a Puerto Rican woman who struggles with her mental health I knew I needed this in my life and I wasn't wrong. I seriously finished this in one sitting because I couldn't bring myself to stop reading.

I loved this book so much that I just want to hug it, go back in time, give it to my teenage self and then hug her because it's what she needed. I loved the Spanglish, the mentions of our traditional food and the acknowledgement that Hurricane Maria was 100% traumatic for all of us.. Never did the story feel forced or uncomfortable or boring. It was raw and genuine. Even though I'm much older than Iveliz, I could still relate to her struggles and her pain.

This book is simply a must read!

WOW. Be prepared and get ready for an emotional rollercoaster of a book. I cried, I smiled, and I cried some more... sometimes with Iveliz and sometimes for her. This one, ya'll, is heavy - even for me at almost 30. I do think this will be heavy for middle grade age kids, but the experiences of Iveliz are real, honest, authentic... and one many kids go through whether we, as adults and caregivers, are aware or not. This book told from Iveliz's perspective in diary entries written in free verse will move you beyond words, hitting on the thoughts and feelings of a seventh grade girl experiencing typical middle school stuff sprinkled in with racism, loss, and mental health challenges. My favorite part is how Andrea Betriz Arango highlights the benefits of therapy and vulnerable communication as a means of growing, reflecting and ultimately... surviving.

TW: bullying, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, panic attacks.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me an eARC in exchange of my honest review.

Iveliz suffers from PTSD, takes meds, and sees a therapist begrudgingly. Ive writes in her journals to vent her feelings especially when she gets in trouble at school a lot. She wants to feel normal and have new friends. Her therapist tells her “we are here for you , you are not alone,” but Ive doesn’t believe him. After going to the hospital because her mom thinks she might hurt herself, Ive finally opens up to her therapist and tells him everything. Can she finally accept the fact that it’s okay to ask for help?

This packed some powerful emotional punches and I really loved how Arango wove Spanish into the story. I just also found it to be a pretty tough read because of everything the characters were struggling with.

Iveliz Explains It All or as I like to call it the first book in years to have me sobbing into my pillow at 3 am. Also known as the book preteen Wilmarie needed to understand that they were not alone.
TW: mention of mental illness--
I've written and rewritten this review more times than I can tell because I can't find the words to describe just how much this book means to me, just how much I needed this book to heal. You see, I have struggled with anxiety and depression since before I even knew what those things were. Before I even knew the word "bipolar". I remember confusing anxiety with being nervous or excited because I didn't have someone sit me down and explain to me what anxiety was. I felt so much and was taught to just shove it deep inside. That's why Wilmarie became an expert at acting as if nothing happened. Fast forward to when I was 20 all the shoving inside became so much and Wilmarie exploded. That being said, at 25 I still relate to Iveliz. I relate to the feeling of no one truly understanding you, to being expected to act as the perfect child, or in my case, adult when you feel like you're drowning in your thoughts and feelings. My inner child needed this book to realize she's not alone, to realize that it was okay to feel that way. My current adult self needed the reminder that it is okay to feel your feelings and to open up and ask for help. I wish I could put this book in the hand of every person I know and tell them this me, this is how I feel. I am so thankful to Andrea for writing this story because even if I didn't relate to every single aspect of Ive's story, the way I saw myself in it, I just know many kids (and adults) will be able to see themselves in it. Her beautiful and gripping writing made me live this story as if it was me who was going through it all, and THAT takes real talent. I am definitely looking forward to seeing her future works because I just know that a brilliant future as a writer awaits her. Now go pre-order it and/or request it at your library and join Iveliz in her journey.
Iveliz Explains It All comes out on September 13, 2022, 💙💙💙
A BIG thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and Andrea for the chance to read this earc.

I am currently reading this book so my official review will come in soon, but I wanted to say thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for this earc! Some of the poems I've read already are wonderful, and I can't wait to see where Iveliz's journey takes us. Meanwhile, back to reading. Aaaahh!!!!! <333

Wowowowow, this verse novel is SO amazing! It deserves all the stars in the world because 5 out of 5 is not enough. There are many important topics discussed in this book, but I want to highlight the mental health rep. As a school psychology grad student, I could tell the author took in consideration a therapist’s feedback when it came to the parts including therapy sessions and everything about the medication. This topic was handled very carefully and I really appreciated that. Also, the Puerto Rican rep made my day! The food, the popular sayings, all the references, EVERYTHING. 🇵🇷 And that part when [redacted—because I don’t want to give any spoilers] broke my heart… 🥺 (This can be applied to a lot of things in this book 😅). So yeah, add this book to your TBR if you are interested in:

📖 MG verse novels
💊 Mental health, therapy & meds
👨‍👩‍👧 Family relationships
💕 Friendships
🇵🇷 Puerto Rican rep

This book comes out on September 13, 2022. I’ll be posting a more detailed review on my blog near the publication date, because (1) I’ll be definitely rereading this beautiful piece of art, and (2) this book deserve the all the hype, love, and attention. ♥️

‘Iveliz Explains It All’ is a beautiful novel following verse poetry highlighting coming of age, mental health, vulnerability and communication.

As an adult and mother, I connected deeply to the story Iveliz told. I remember being in the age group and fighting therapy. This novel is an eye-opening telling of how connection with others in our vulnerable spaces can help heal and guide us along our trauma.

On the surface Iveliz just seems to have anger issues, just ask Jessica and Justin G. Yes, it’s hard to keep the anger from bubbling up when they say her name wrong on purpose, or suggest that her relatives are “illegal”, but no one knows what she’s really going through. She’s keeping a journal to pour out her heart, to vent about Mimi’s dementia and yearn for her dad, yet as each day passes, her grip on her goals and her mental health begin to falter.
Iveliz Explains It All is a swift read. Iveliz struggles with PSTD, anxiety, and grief. While these topics may be difficult to discuss, Arango tackles them head on with Iveliz making some very consequential choices. Solid addition to a middle school library collection.

WOW. What a phenomenal debut. I laughed and I cried and I felt such a range of feelings while reading this book. The way Iveliz's grief is portrayed is so raw, so relatable, and I loved to see her grow throughout this book. I am absolutely here for a book normalizing therapy and taking meds to improve your mental health. Amir is the best friend I long for and the best friend I long to be.