Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
College student navigates identities in funny, moving tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
When JULIET TAKES A BREATH BEGINS, Juliet, a Puerto Rican college student from the Bronx, is gearing up to come out as a lesbian to her parents. She decides to make the announcement the night she's to fly out for the opportunity of a lifetime: going to Portland for a summer internship with an author who wrote a book called Raging Flower about female empowerment. Juliet's family members try to be accepting, though her mother suggests being gay might be just a phase. Portland turns out to be a culture shock, and Juliet feels as much an outsider among the predominantly white hippie scene in Portland as she did in her traditional Puerto Rican neighborhood in New York. Meanwhile, Juliet's girlfriend, who's on the East Coast interning for the Democratic party, is ignoring Juliet's texts and phone messages, and her cousin is inviting her to come visit her in Miami.
Is It Any Good?
A funny, emotionally true book with an exceptionally compelling narrator. The main character of Juliet Takes A Breath is like a fat, Latinx, lesbian version of Holden Caulfield, with a keen eye for observing all the cultural norms that don't fit her in her assimilation-minded Catholic family in the Bronx, the feminist community in Portland, and with her White girlfriend. As a cousin leads Julia through a minefield of terminology and concepts, readers can follow along and think for themselves about what "identity" really is, and how to show respect and support for other people.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of reading and writing in Juliet Takes a Breath. What book or author has most influenced you and why?
What are the differences between fitting in, being accepted, and being appreciated?
How does the author use settings -- the Bronx, Portland, and Miami -- to reveal Juliet's identity and character?
Book Details
- Author: Gabby Rivera
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Activism , Friendship , Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Dial Books
- Publication date: July 26, 2020
- Number of pages: 320
- Last updated: September 25, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
What to Read Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate