“Dreams are like pieces of fluff that get caught in your hair;
they stand out for a moment, but eventually you wach them
away, or long fingers reach in and pluck them out.” – Clap When You Land

I am so moved by the beauty and art that is Clap When You Land.

history

Author Elizabeth Acevedo wanted a way to honor the lives lost on American Airlines flight 587 that killed 265 people back in 2001. In the wake of the September 11th attacks, the accident didn’t gain much media attention despite being the second deadliest aviation crash in US history. Or maybe it was because 90% of the victims were of Dominican descent. This story explores who decides who matters as well as contemplating the depth of a person’s character amid vast grief.

“The kindness of a stranger, simply because she sees in us
something worthy of this small gift.”

synopsis

In this story, two girls from completely different lives end up connected because of the crash. One father, but with two families. One in New York and one in the Dominican. And neither girl knew the other existed. The book is told in verse which lends to it’s lyrical style and the multi POV alternating between each girl demonstrates the vast differences between life in NYC and life in the Dominican. They share their grief, but also their love of their father but their lives and opportunities are completely different.

“You can’t run from what hurts you, or like a dog smelling fear, that grief will just keep chasing with ever sharp teeth.”

The girls wrestle with what life will look like to face this new truth, how to communicate with each other, and how to move forward without the person they love most. They are both strong willed, passionate and smart even though they were raised completely differently. The book questions what does family mean and who defines it?

Suitable for all ages of a YA audience, I’m giving this to my boys to read next. And do not be afraid of the lyrical, poetic style! It is easy to digest and reads more like journal entries. I found this to be a moving portrait of grief and family.

“I have my fingerprints all over you.
and I don’t need the world to see them
to know that they are there.”

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