Review of Community Garden by Kyla Stan

 

 

Nilsa “Nichi” Rivera struggles every day with her fibromyalgia pain after her papi passed away the previous summer. Her disability causes extreme muscle discomfort, exhaustion, and she tries to force herself through a normal teenage life. Plus, living in a strict Puerto Rican household is not easy when Mami picks on Nichi’s weight, lifestyle, and inability to fight through her physical disability. But when the topic for this year’s senior project is Improving the Community, Nichi scrambles for an idea, until she comes across an empty lot and immediately envisions a garden for her barrio, or neighborhood. Plus, a new girl at school steals Nichi’s heart with her punk rock style and flirtatious ways.

Nichi must face financial burdens, family conflict, and understanding her sexuality. But can she break the barriers of a traditional Latin household while dealing with insurmountable grief?

In this celebratory novel about love, family, and the power of gardening, Nichi learns to find meaning in her life and how she can remember her papi.

 

Amazon 

 

My Review: 5 STARS

Having read books by Stan before, when this one popped up on my feed, I had to read it. Not just because of the sound of the story, but also the chronic illness rep, and the way the blurb called to me. I adored Nichi and Jayden, the way they both came together, even with Nichi trying to honour her father with the garden. The story was a quick read but packed with hard hitting scenes and rep. The way Stan portrayed Fibromyalgia really drew me into the story. Very much recommended and one I enjoyed!

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