During the summer I’m always on the lookout for new books to add to my classroom library. This year, one of the ones I decided to purchase was Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. I hadn’t read much about the book, but someone recommended it on a Facebook teachers group I follow saying it was a great book with diverse protagonists. As I’m always looking to expand my students’ horizons and to create empathy for all types of people, I thought it would be worth buying.
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Is Clap When You Land Appropriate for a Middle School Classroom?
Background
First, a little about my school. I currently teach 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts (reading and writing) at a small rural school in Northeast Ohio. There’s not a lot of diversity in our classes or among our staff. The average reader entering my classroom tests below grade level on the STAR reading test, often one to two years below. Parents in my area are very conservative, and in the past, some have questioned book choices. I always feel that if I can just find the right books for them, my students will eventually get hooked on reading.
SPOILER ALERT
About the book
Clap When You Land is Elizabeth Acevedo’s newest book. It was released on May 5, 2020. The book switches back and forth between two different narrators. The narrators, Camino and Yahaira, are both of Dominican descent. Camino lives in the Dominican Republic with her aunt while Yahaira lives with both of her parents in New York City.
Sixteen-year-old Camino lives for summer when her Papi comes to visit each year to spend three months with her. On the day that he is schedule to fly in for his yearly visit, Camino goes to the airport and hears the terrible news that her Papi has been killed in a plane crash.
Yahaira has been angry at her father for nearly a year and has been barely speaking to him. Last summer while he was in the Dominican Republic, she found a marriage license showing that Papi had married another woman long ago. Her parents were married first and never divorced, invalidating the second marriage, but Yahaira doesn’t know what to do with this huge family secret.
Neither girl knows of the other’s existence. Family secrets, lies, and betrayal have keep them apart their entire lives. Papi’s will indicates that he wants to be buried in the Dominican Republic, and Yahaira is determined to attend the funeral. The two sisters learn of each other’s existence as they struggle with the loss of their father. They both try to reconcile the image of the loving man they each knew separately with a complex new version with his compartmentalized life. As the girls come to terms with Papi’s secrets, they will need to forgive to survive.
Reasons For and Against Adding Clap When You Land to Your Library
Pros:
*Written in verse (more accessible to those who don’t consider themselves strong readers)
*Accessible reading level
*Diverse narrators
*Non-traditional family
*Imagery
*Contrast between worlds
In-depth Discussion of some of the Pros
The novel is written in verse which makes it more accessible to those who don’t consider themselves strong readers. While there are 432 pages in the hardback version, reading speed will be fast because of the amount of words on each page.
The narrators are very diverse. They are both black females who speak Spanish as their first language. Both experience subtle racism–Camino from students at school, and Yahaira from her lighter-skinned cousins in New York City.
Yahaira
Yahaira seems more middle-class as both her parents work. Her mother manages a beauty shop, and Papi owns a small business. Yahaira is a former chess champion who played to please her father, but is only an average student at best. Yahaira is in a relationship with her neighbor, Dre, while Camino has no time for romance.
Camino
Camino is an excellent student who wants to attend Columbia University to become a doctor. Papi sends money for Camino’s schooling and other luxuries such as a generator for electricity, tile floors, and protection. Despite this, Camino still lives in a poor barrio; once Papi is gone, the bills start piling up. Papi can not bring Camino to the United States; his wife must sponsor her. This tells us that Papi has a green card while Zoila, Yahaira’s mother, is a citizen.
The sisters
The girls both suffer loss and trauma. These events could spark empathy in readers, but they could possibly trigger some students. Grieving students may see themselves in Camino and Yahaira, or the loss of a parent could hit too close to home.
Their Worlds
The contrast between the two world is startling at times. In Camino’s world, many girls become pregnant, quit school, and struggle to get by. Disillusioned pimps traffic young local girls to tourists at the nearby resort. People lack basic healthcare and live in unsanitary conditions, just doing their best to get by.
By contrast, Yahaira seems to have everything she needs. Her family goes on vacations and lives in a nice apartment with extended family nearby. Her mother receives the insurance money from the airline. Yahaira seems to lack a burning ambition because she has never known poverty.
Cons:
*Double narrators
*Many, many, many Spanish words and phrases
*Profanity
*Mature subjects
In-depth discussion of some of the cons
Because the book switches back and forth between the two narrators, I worry that students will become confused. Will they understand the name in bold and the direction the airplane is pointing indicate who is speaking?
I also worry about the amount of Spanish words and phrases. It’s rare that I have a student who speaks Spanish (I’ve never had more than one per year), and I worry that the sheer amount of Spanish will turn the readers off. I have an undergraduate degree in French and can read many Spanish words and phrases. However, I even consulted a Spanish to English translation site a few times while reading. I’m not sure that my students would be willing to do this nor am I sure their vocabulary skill are up to the task. They would really have to understand how to use context clues to get the gist of many of the phrases.
And, then there is the profanity. I was okay with the first few words, but the F-word really makes me shake my head. It’s not overused, but I’m just not sure about 12 and 13-year-olds reading books with that word.
Elizabeth Acevedo touches upon so many mature subjects in this book. Believe it or not, I may have parents complain. Some may be unhappy that one of the protagonists is lesbian. They may complain that both girls are sexually assaulted. They may also question the way religion is represented in the book because while officially Catholic, Tia believes in and practices Santeria, mix of a Roman Catholic rituals with African religious symbolism and gods.
List of Mature Subjects in Clap WHen YOU Land
*Sexuality
*Sexual Harassment and Assault
*Human Trafficking
*Teenage Pregnancy
*Bigamy/Infidelity
*Racism
*Socio-Economic Differences
*Religion
My Verdict on Adding Clap When You Land to My Classroom Library
While there are many reasons why I might determine not to add Clap When You Land to my classroom library, I thought it was an excellent book. It’s definitely a young adult book, so I may not let seventh graders sign it out without a young adult permission slip. As always, it’s important to know your students. There will be mature students in my classroom that I will be able to guide to this book. I do think that once students begin to read it, there will be a waiting list for others to get their hands on it. I look for this book to win several awards this year. Therefore, I do plan to add Clap When You Land to my classroom library this fall.
If you are the parent of a young teen, I urge you to read this book so that you can discuss it with your child. As I mentioned above, the author touches upon many mature subjects in the book. Listen to Elizabeth Acevedo read the beginning of Clap When You Land on YouTube before you say no to this book. I love how expressive she is as she reads Camino’s first entry. Once you start reading, Camino and Yahaira’s stories will hook you. I finished it the same day I started it. There’s a lot of emotion in this book. It’s a good one.
I’ll defintiely be checking out this book. Based on your review, it sounds like a really good reach that encompasses a few different themes. I also love how detail oriented this review was !
This book seems really interesting. Can’t wait to get my hands on it.
That sounds like a intresting book. I would love to know more about the story so I will check it out. Thanks
Based on your review, I think I would enjoy Clap When You Land. I’m open to all types of reads – I actually have a diverse selection from YA to smut (lmao). Seriously though, I like a book that doesn’t just stick with the common themes (love stories, adventure, etc), I would prefer to read ones that speaks about REAL LIFE issues and show how to navigate around it (or solve it).
I’m always looking for a good book, and this one does sound interesting! Like you said though, not so sure about all the Spanish in it, since I don’t speak any! Also, I have an 8th grader but I would have to read it first to decide if she’s mature enough for it. Great, thorough review though!
What a detailed review of the book! I’ll add it to my next reading list
There will always be challenges with some people and choices we make. Here, they may perceive the book as “too strong” for that age, even though it may bring a suitable amount of knowledge. Consider all aspects, get more feedback on it, and then make your last choice.
I’ve admired the story line ! This book will definitely be added to my reading list !
Thank you for sharing.
Being a reader the book sounds good. I’ll check it out.
I’ve seen a couple reviews for this book recently and I’m definitely intrigued. I think it’s great to see authors navigating some of the more controversial topics as it gives us a great opportunity to start up those conversations with young adults. However, as you mentioned, we need to be sure that the child is old enough that the content is relevant. As someone who is practicing spiritual beliefs that differ greatly from how I grew up, I really appreciate books that introduce people to other religions or spiritual practices. If someone does truly believe what they are currently practicing, it’s merely informative and may even solidify their own beliefs. That being said, for those that aren’t sure what they believe, that kind of information may help lead them on their own spiritual journey, whatever that may be.
This does sound very interesting, I was just looking for the next thing to read and this book sounds perfect.
This is a book I would have read in middle school or as a young adult. Although there is some mature content it is a good way to start a discussion. As an adults, I enjoy reading books with differing perspectives from my own.
It‘s so great that you put so much thought into your students‘ reading materials. I often work with young adults as well, so I know how challenging it can be to motivate them. But it is so rewarding when you see them becoming interested in a subject or topic. This book sounds great, especially because of the non-traditional family.
Sounds like a very interesting book! Your review is very in depth! will add it to my book list
I can see how this book would worry some parents, especially conservative ones who tend to not discuss controversial matters. But I also think books like this are an excellent opportunity to really open dialogues about somewhat sensitive subjects, especially when it comes to different lifestyle choices. Your perspective is certainly different than mine when it comes to opinions on books. Reading it from a teacher perspective is quite interesting.
I think it’s because our community is so insular. I don’t really censor what the kids read, but I do like to know what’s in my library so that I’m prepared if a parent objects–especially if it’s a book I purchased myself.
Thank you for the book insight! I love reading your review as I got the picture about it, a good read for me.
Thank you for your honest and detailed review of the book. I will be sharing with ELA teachers on my campus.
This seems like an interesting book to read, I will have to add it to my “to read”
list.
A very in-depth review. Looks interesting. I agree this books should be read by parents of college children, so that they can discuss the themes with them.
Honestly sounds like a book I’d like to read – very intriguing premise! It’s awesome that your students have a teacher like you who can show them a whole new world through books <3
This looks like a great book for older kids, young adults or adults. Thanks for sharing. I’ve seen this book a lot lately. Must be getting popular.
I need to add this to my summer reading list for sure!
Juts recommended this to my high schooler!
My daughter is going to be a freshman this fall. This sounds like some good summer reading for her.
Adding this to list and give you a review on my point perspective. Thank you for this! 🙂
Lovely review. I will add this book to my wish list and add some diversity to my collection.
I love reading book reviews. It makes me want to read more and enjoy it. thanks so much!
I really love how you break down so many aspects of this book to help fellow teachers (and readers!). Many are SO busy and hard-working and often use their personal time to plan ahead for students because they care. It’s evident that you are one of them! 🙂
I truly believe that our young ones can benefit so much from learning abut diversity. Especially when being personally narrated from two very different sides.
Always looking to add anew read to the list, so I will deffo be checking this one out for sure xx
I had a teacher once who gave us books that depicted non-traditional families, real familial issues, and cultural and race. I just added this to my goodreads. It really does help you broaden your understanding of the world. I’m curious to know what your students will think about it!
I like that the reviews come from a teacher because objectively he can explain and represent the real message behind the book.
A very complicated subject covering so many topics.Children with traumatic childhood often have unforeseen challenges. The book sounds gripping
Great review! I love how in depth and detailed you were. Very helpful to know if it is a book that I would be interested in.
It is such a nice book and I quite love the story line. For the student it would give an insight into the lives of other young children in and around them in our society.And the drive the value of empathy in their life. Great choice for the library.
That looks like a great read, which will likely be a bit of a controversial challenge to the views of some of your students families.
I often think the greatest thing about reading is the way it allows people to experience and learn about things they could never actually experience in their actual lives.