4.5 stars rounded up to 5, because this is an absolutely incredible work that everyone needs to read. Whether it's to feel represented, or understand what it means to be a 15 year old girl bursting at the seams to be yourself but also being hemmed in by every aspect of your life, or to understand what it means to be a girl in general, or to relate to being a poet who just wants to write and know what it means to be heard -- this book is for everyone.

The audiobook is narrated by Elizabeth Acevedo herself, and she performs her poetry as spoken word. It's beautiful and powerful and I can't imagine having read it any other way.

I took a half star off only because I wasn't a fan of the ending. After the reality and incredible emotion of Xiomara's story, it felt like it all got wrapped up much too neatly.

Anyone who loves reading should give this a try -- doubly so if you have a teenager in your family and can share it with them. This could provide some really fantastic insight and discussion.