GABI: A GIRL IN PIECES

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi, a girl in pieces. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press.

  

In this coming of age story, we meet Gabriela- Gabi- Hernandez. She is a Mexican-American girl who lives with her brother and mother and occasionally her meth-head father. Quintero presents Gabi's stories in a series of journal entries. These entries chronicle her senior year and her family dysfunctional family dynamic.

At the start of the book Gabi's best friend, Cindy informs her that she is pregnant and Sebastian, her other best friend, informs his family that he is gay and they respond by kicking him out his house.

Gabi and her friends handle these obstacles and the others they face in a realistic and authentic way. There is no deus ex machina for these teens. Instead, the characters-especially Gabi, who battles obesity- must learn from their mistakes and whatever wrench is thrown their way.

One way Gabi, deals is via her poetry. She expresses herself and her frustrations via this media. In fact, she is recognized for her outstanding work and it becomes a vehicle for her to overcome the overwhelming odds that she faces as a young Latina and young woman.

This book is best suited for upper high school students because of the heavy themes and some vulgar language.