First off, I want to thank NetGalley and Levine Querido for sending me an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I don’t think I’ve read magical realism before, but I had a good time reading it! There are three alternating POVs: Rosie, Caro and Zeke. Each one had a very distinct voice, and I was invested in each one. I felt like I could relate so much to Rosie with how hard she worked in school, and I could understand her desire to attend the other school, thinking it would give her better opportunities. The book had great commentary on how these institutions treat students of color, as well as showing how there are other pathways that a student can take, as well as a different way of looking at future plans. Zeke had a different way of looking at his future than Rosie. His journey was more focused on his grief and feelings of love. The two are very different, but they complement each other. Right away, Zeke could sense that Rosie was going to be important in his life, and I’ve always believed that soulmates don’t have to be platonic, so they are soulmates to me. Caro was grappling with realizing who her father really is and that her mother’s past is very different from how she made it seem. While Rosie was also shocked by what they learned about their mother, it really affected Caro since she has more of a strained relationship with her mother. Each one had a talisman that helped them navigate the problems going on in their lives, but it also got them into interesting situations.

I was very invested in learning more about their mother’s past, and I felt like more could’ve been explained. I do feel like the book could’ve been longer so we could also see how everything went down with the school and the principal. I like the ending the characters each got, but I just wish we could’ve seen more of it.

I’m not from Jersey City, but I am from NJ, so it was also cool reading a book that takes place there! And while I’m a little past my teen years now, the way the characters were written felt very accurate!

Overall, I give the book 4 stars and am looking forward to more of Camille Gomera-Tavarez’s work!

This story took a few chapters to get into but once I did I flew through it. My favorite character was Zeke. He was very sweet and I loved how he found a new friend group with Caro and Rosie. The way his mind worked made me wish for an entire book with just him. I loved all the inner dynamics between family and friendships. I also loved the mystery they uncover and how they develop throughout the story. The jacket and the bat were the coolest as well. It kept me invested in the story and had me a little sad when the story ended. Definitely a book everyone should give a shot. 4.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the arc.

Imagine being gifted a powerful talesman that solves your specific problems. Do you need a jacket that makes people follow your every command. maybe an enchanted ring - a love charm if you are the destructive type how about a bat the destroys and then repairs what you left in ruins. Dominicana Rosie is brilliant and compliant to a fault, but is still judged by her circumstances by a broken and corrupt educational system. Her sister is a hothead who’s constantly battling her mother‘s ultra conservative values and Zeke is their new queer Jamaican pal who is desperately seeking a soulmate.

This coming of age tale has magical realism and multiple subplots. It is told in the first person and alternates between the 3 teens. Camille Gomera Tavarez’s first book was a Pura Belpre 2023 honor book .
look for the girl, the ring and the baseball bat February 6, 2024
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I received an ARC of their book from Netgalley and I’m posting this review voluntarily. I was excited to read this book after finishing the first novel by this author, ‘High Spirits’. The characters in this book remind me of the ones in ‘What happened to Ruthy Ramirez’. This story is about three teens in New Jersey, who find different magical talismans that help them navigate life and their current issues. Zeke was my favorite character, he brought joy to the book. The description of life in the Dominican Republic is very accurate, especially about the huge family’s and the unsavory relatives. The book did not do a good job explaining what actually happened to the sisters in the past, maybe I need to review again. I loved the magical aspect of the book.

#TheGirlTheRingandtheBaseballBat
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Thank you to netgalley and Levine Querido for allowing me read The Girl, The Ring, and the Baseball Bat
by Camille Gomera-Tavarez. This story was one that I hadn't seen told and I'm so glad that it will be out into the world.

This is probably the most unique story I have read this year! I really enjoyed this teenage magical realism story about Caro, Rosie and Zeke (who we receive rotating first-person POV). I felt equally invested in all of the characters' chapters, and I only wish the book was a bit longer!

This is my first read of Camille Gomera-Tavarez and it will not be my last!

This was a great read! It was quite different from most of the novels I have read this year which was refreshing. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone to read.

The story follows, and is told from the alternating points of view of, Rosie, Caro, and Zeke. The three characters are navigating their own issues and circumstances while also crossing paths and getting tangled up in their mutual story (along with some other notable important characters). The author blended realistic and down-to-earth situations with some fantastical magical elements and did so successfully in a way that really worked.

The reader is given enough information about the background setting and magical elements for it to feel real and believable, but not so much that we got stuck in the details. Part of me wishes that we received more of an explanation and that the story was longer so we could see where it went beyond the end of the book; at the same time however the way these elements were handled resulted in the novel's world feeling very rich and real, and like there was a lot going on beyond the limits of the story that we were told. I walked away from this book feeling satisfied despite my continued curiosity and a LOT of questions; I would happily read more novels set in this world as my interest has been piqued.

My one gripe would be the amount of Spanish that was used by characters in the book. I realize that this was authentic to the characters (and it DID make it seem more realistic and genuine) however as I only speak English it was a detriment to my enjoyment of the novel. At times I just tried my best to understand by context however there were scenes where I couldn't guess what was being said and was unable to follow the scene as a result. At other times I typed everything into a translator (which made me realize how much I likely missed in the scenes where I didn't) which was an annoying process (and I wouldn't always have access to while reading).

Thank you to NetGalley and Levine Querido for the ARC.
This is my first book by Camile Gomera-Tavarez and I need to read her other book(s).
This was great story telling with magical twist and the characters are unforgettable.
This is a must read.

"The Girl, The Ring, and the Baseball Bat" by Camille Gomera-Tavarez promises a delightful and magical coming-of-age story filled with humor, charm, and relatable characters.

The description introduces readers to Rosie, Caro, and Zeke, each with their unique personalities and talismans that add an intriguing element of magic to the narrative. Rosie's magical jacket, Caro's baseball bat, and Zeke's manifestation stone are captivating elements that immediately pique curiosity about how these objects will shape the characters' lives and interactions.

The diverse personalities of the characters, along with their astrological signs, suggest a story that delves into the complexities of family relationships, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness and love. The reference to a trip to the Dominican Republic and the exploration of family history adds depth and cultural richness to the plot.

The comparison to "Outsiders for the modern day" implies a story that tackles themes of belonging, identity, and the challenges of navigating the complexities of the modern world, all while infusing it with a touch of magic and humor.

Overall, "The Girl, The Ring, and the Baseball Bat" appears to be a promising read for those who enjoy contemporary fiction with a magical twist, relatable characters, and a healthy dose of humor. Camille Gomera-Tavarez's unique storytelling approach and the blend of magical elements with everyday life make this book one to look forward to.