When Fabiola arrives in Detroit, not only is she without her beloved mother who was detained by U.S. Immigration upon their arrival from Haiti, but Detroit is also NOT what she'd imagined. She has her cousins, yes, but facing the foreignness of the west side takes all her courage. Trying to find a place for herself, trying to learn the ways of life within this family that she knows but doesn't, trying to somehow get her mama back by her side - these things keep Fabiola's mind occupied all the time. With her Haitian Voudou lwas watching over and guiding her, Fabiolas has to get her feet under her, and quickly, before the streets of Detroit swallow her whole.
Fabiola is such a strong character - deeply loyal to her mother and her rituals, hard working and patient, your heart just aches as she navigates a world that just feels like one dead-end, one heartache, after another. I loved the narrative style that gives us all of Fabiola's story but snippets of those around her too. It's actually a really painful book to read as Fabiola's life just never can settle into a peaceful happiness - like it's not even a thing that can be reached for. It hurt me to think about all the kids like her who just want to fall in love, learn at school, be with their friends, feel safe. And it's just not even a thing. The language in this book is off the charts for young adults - and the themes are heavy. But the writing is absolutely superb and the ideas in American Street are heavy in a different way, in a way that slides in your bones and makes you think about what you take for granted and what you would do when faced with an actually impossible choice and how far you would go to protect your own. I want to hand Fabiola a happy ending. I want America to be a place where people really are welcomed to come and enjoy a good life - not perfect or free from hard work - but still good. My fingers are crossed for Fabiola and the real girls like her out there who are fighting this fight every day.
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