genre: young adult contemporary fiction/magical realism
One supremely poor decision at senior Alaine's fancy private school in Miami means that Alaine is sent to Haiti to be with her aunt and extended family. While Haiti has always been a huge presence in her life, this is her first time not only experiencing the beauty and wonder of this Caribbean country, but also her first time seeing her own space within the history of her mother and father's story. Since her trip is part of a chance to redeem herself, much of the narrative is told in letters, assignments, texts and emails. When Alaine starts to think the "family curse" she's vaguely heard about might have some truth to it, she has no idea where her curiosity is going to lead her - and the people she cares about.
Alaine is a crack up. She's wicked smart and witty has heck, so very comfortable in her own skin and aware of what she's capable of. I LOVED LEARNING ABOUT HAITI. I did so much googling while listening! I learned so much history and context just through Alaine's own learning and sharing. I liked how her relationship with her mom morphed as Alaine learned more about what her mother was dealing with.
It wasn't perfect, sometimes I had questions that weren't answered and the magical realism-ish of the curse didn't work comfortably for me but the rest of it I liked enough that I still think it's worth a solid 3.5 stars and I'm rounding up :)
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