Title: Iveliz Explains It All
Episode: 45
Author: Andrea Beatriz Arango
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Tags: Mental health, friendship, Puerto Rico, loss of parent, poets, Hurricane Maria, Alzheimers, grieving, multi-generational story
Audience: Middle grade and beyond, of course
Additional Resources: 2023 Book Award Announcements
Hey there! Thank you for your support of Wonder World Book Cafe’s first birthday! Do you have any book suggestions for upcoming podcasts? I’d love to know.
Now, on with today’s story…
Quote:
“Once, after Dad died,
[Dr.} Turnip asked me if Mami and I,
If we ever talked about it
Face to face
If we ever talked about missing dad
Or being sad
Or looking for things to fill time
That before had been his
And not just hers and mine.
And I laughed at him
Full-on laughed.
‘Cause Mami and I aren’t talkers,
We’re keepers
holding all our thoughts
Way deep inside.
And usually?
I don’t mind it.
But sometimes?
Like today?
It gets lonely sitting here
In the dark” (157)
Summary
This is painfully written by twelve year old Iveliz (EE-VEH-LEASE) in her journal in this story called Iveliz Explains it All. This is a work of fiction written in verse by Andrea Beatriz Arango. It’s 263 pages with black and white drawings sprinkled throughout.
Iveliz is a 12 year old Latina girl living in her Baltimore apartment with her mom, Mami. Iveliz shares her story through poetic journal entries.
Iveliz is coping with trauma and PTSD and is living with a difficult past. Despite this, she’s entirely ready for 7th grade.
Iveliz wants: friends, fewer rules imposed by Mami, a successful 7th grade year, and control over her anger so she can stay out of In School Behavior Intervention.
Iveliz and Mami are eagerly preparing for Abuela Mimi’s arrival from Puerto Rico. (They haven’t seen her since Hurricane Maria in 2017.) Mami worries that Mimi’s worsening Alzheimers will be tough for Iveliz, especially given Iveliza’s mental health, but she is excited to have a sense of family in her home again and do all the things her mother can’t or won’t do with her like cook, garden, or just talk.
Her only friend, Amir, who is from Afghanistan, is there for her, but lately this relationship is strained, and on top of that two bullies make self-control impossible for Iveliz, and a revenge plan goes all wrong.
On top of bullies who want to make sure her Mimi is coming to the U.S. legally, Iveliz deals with a tremendous amount of guilt, panic attacks, and visions of her dad whom she misses terribly. She’s just sure she’s responsible for his death. Furthermore, she and Mami can’t seem to connect on simple matters. How in the world can they come together on the difficult ones like this intense grief they both feel over losing Iveliz’s dad, but won’t discuss?
Iveliz attends therapy and takes medication for her mental health. And, while these solutions may have helped in the past, they’re not helping now. To add to Iveliz’s problems, her therapy and medication cause a cultural and generational rift. Abuela's generation doesn’t believe in counseling or medication the therapist prescribes.
Unfortunately, Iveliz reaches a breaking point when Mimi puts her medication in the garbage can. Mami is frightened at Iveliz’s reaction and can’t even get her out of the locked bathroom: this is severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room.
While this event is significant and frightening, it’s a catalyst for moving forward: she and her mom have a long healing journey ahead of them.
I do hope you’ll pick up this story, Iveliz TellsIt All! Iveliz’s emotions are real and raw. Learn how she, Mimi and Mami find ways to move forward. There is heartbreak and hope here.
Age Recs
You may have noticed I’ve been vague about age recommendations in previous episodes. There are too many factors to consider. This is a middle grade book. Iveliz is twelve years old. Adult readers will gain a glimpse into how one girl lives and tries to work through trauma, depression, and grief.
To mention…
This is the point where I mention details that could be unsettling. Iveliz has thoughts of self-harm, and there is an indirect reference to suicide. This is an honest account of trauma, grief, and healing. On this note, in the back, find a list of resources (videos, websites, and phone numbers) where our youth can get help. Further, reading this book alongside our younger readers is a segue way into conversations and the mental health check-ins we need to have regularly.
Onto wondering who may be interested in Iveliz Explains It All?
Readers who enjoy books written in verse are of course a natural audience. There are plenty of Spanish phrases sprinkled throughout, a possible appeal to our Spanish speaking readers. Young people may have loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s like Iveliz and may find comfort here. Readers themselves dealing with mental health or trauma may appreciate and connect with Iveliz’s ongoing journey toward healing. I
Stories are often the catalyst to learn more about the people and places on the pages. Mimi too is dealing with trauma as a result from the deadly 2017 Hurricane Maria that devastated Puerto Rico. Additionally, learn more about the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico and the relationship between the two countries.
The author
At the time of this podcast, Andrea Beatriz Arango just received a 2023 Newbery Honor Award for Iveliz Explains it All! Congratulations! Born and raised in Puerto Rico and a former teacher, she says she writes the types of children’s books she wishes students had more access to. She mentions, “One in five kids Iveliz’s age has anxiety, depression, or PTSD, often without the support systems Iveliz is lucky to have.” She hopes this story will help facilitate necessary discussions about these real and tough topics.
On these pages, there’s much to love:
Stories written in verse always amaze me at just how much we can learn even though there are far fewer words. This story is no exception.
Even though Iveliz was conflicted about her Mimi at times, she found comfort and so much love in living with her.
Imir, Iveliz’s friend, shares part of his family’s story of leaving Afghanistan because of all the fighting - and his grandpa, who suffered from dementia: A connection between these two friends.
Until our next, I’d be grateful for your positive rating or review. I can’t wait to recommend this book to the readers I know and love.
Check out the episode notes for a transcript.
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