Definitely Not a Love Story

A teen copes with the inevitability of change in this poignant blank verse novel by Seldeen (Everything I Know). Aspiring author Ana Morales fervently refuses to write romances like her mother does, craving to create “stories/ that change the world.” It doesn’t help that her parents’ constant bickering has left her embittered about love and makes her home life difficult. Ana’s excitement over a school short story contest is tempered by a forced partnership with former friend Alejandro Garcia, an excellent writer who favors “gooey and sweet” subjects. But not only does their collaborative effort begin with surprising synergy, Ana’s rekindled friendship with Alejandro sparks new, uncomfortable feelings. Simplistic parallel plots drive the story forward and radiate a cozy atmosphere, and Seldeen’s verse artfully expresses the emotional roller coaster of Ana’s travails at home and school, which feel familiar and are sometimes heartbreaking: “I look up/ at the way/ the tree branches/ scrape the wide sky./ The way the clouds/ stretch across/ the horizon./ And I feel/ unbelievably/ small.” Ana and Alejandro cue as Latinx. Ages 14–17. [em](Apr.) [/em]