Something in Between

Jasmine de Los Santos has always done everything that is expected of her. She’s pretty, popular, and smart- the whole packaged deal. When she receives a national scholarship and an invitation to meet the President, she is beyond excited. She believes her Filipino immigrant parents will be too, but when she delivers the news to them, she is presented with upsetting information – her whole family is undocumented. Her parents explain that they lost their green cards many years before, and that Jasmine cannot accept the scholarship. Jasmine is still able to go and meet the President, but she faces the overall problems of college and possible deportation. Now, she has to figure out how to keep her family in the country and how to save her personal future. With the support of her friends and family, Jasmine realizes that she is the only one who can decide where she belongs.Something in Between is about strength, courage, and love. Jasmine faces many situations where something goes wrong and she has to fight to make it right. She does extensive research on solutions to the problem and does not give up even when an immigration reform bill that could have saved her family was not passed. Along the way, she falls in love with a handsome young man named Royce. Royce’s father is a well-respected congressman who helps Jasmine’s family greatly in this situation. Even though he was against the immigration reform bill, he was the one who got Jasmine and her family out of their deportation, and Jasmine was the one who was brave enough to ask him for help. In the end, her hard work pays off and outshines her undocumented status.This book is very engaging and keeps the reader wondering what will happen next. Jasmine is a character that the reader would want to get to know more even after the book is done, because she is determined and motivated to make her dreams come true. Even though her background story is not one of the most relatable ones, her day to day life and her aspirations are very common and teenagers can relate to it.

Something in Between is a timely novel that is so relevant to the political environment in our country today and a must read. Jasmine's life is turned upside down when she realizes that she and her family are in America, illegally. Her whole life she thought that they had green cards. She worked hard, was top in her class and ran herself ragged to be the best and to do everything from class president to cheer captain. It all seemed to pay off when she received a scholarship that would allow her to attend any college in the US, until her parents informed her that she wouldn't be able to accept. Couldn't accept, because she was an illegal immigrant.Life turned upside down, Jasmine must figure out what to do and how to come to terms with her changed identity. Then Jas falls for the son of a politician who is spearheading the fights against undocumented workers. How will she reconcile her new self-identity in the world she lives in? Will she and her family be able to stay in America – will they be forced to move back to the Philippines, a country her brothers have never known. And, will all of her hard work be for naught because she cannot find a way to attend college? Find out in this young adult/teen contemporary fiction novel about family, friends and growing up.

This book is such a thought-provoking book. It really brings relevant issues on immigration and the people affected by the laws we have in place. Especially after the recent election in the US, this should be on everyone's list, as for many people it will likely provide a second glance into the world of immigration. I will certainly recommend it to my own friends and family.Melissa de la Cruz wrote a wonderful array of characters, providing depth to all of them. The main character Jasmine is easy to relate to, as someone who works hard for what she wants. Her parents are trying to do what any parents would and support their children. Her friends also struggle with the reality of her potential to be deported. The fact that de la Cruz herself was an immigrant helps her to really give you an insight into the mind of a young girl struggling with who she is and where she belongs.The book is well-written, easy to read, and light-hearted, even with the polarizing subject of immigration being the main subject. Most likely 7th grade and up would have no problem reading the book. The relevance of the subject and the talent of de la Cruz made this book a worthwhile read of me. I look forward to reading more of de la Cruz's work!

Well...this is my second review that I am writing during my road trip so once again, sorry if it's a big mess because let's face it- I'm heavily deprived of sleep.Something in between follows a teenaged girl named Jasmine who has always had everything going for her, perfect grades, Captain of the cheer team and already set on going to a ivy league school that she has always dreamed of after high school.But when she gets a full ride scholarship, she expects her parents to be excited, but to her suprise, they are worried sick and here's why..her family is illegal immigrants.This book was a lot better than I expected. From the pre-release reviews I heard mixed things and I was worried that I would be on the side of not liking it but man was I wrong.This had everything I could ever want as a contemporary lover- Great plot, swoonworthy romance, amazing writing and a very diverse set of characters.The thing that I really want to highlight is that this novel has a very strong emphasis on family which I love because we don't get to see a lot of that in YA novels.This is one of my favorite books of the year and dare I say it- my favorite book I've read for contemporary corner. So in case you haven't picked up on this yet, I really really recommend this.

thanks

With this book, the author brings us on the character's life. We don’t know how it’ll end before the end. It’s realistic and let’s us think about immigration.

Aww I love Royce. I have a massive soft spot for geeky hot boys. I really enjoyed Something In Between, it's such a important and relevant novel and you can really tell that Melissa used her own experiences to make Jasmine's story feel true. I need more of Royce & Jasmine.

Good for me

So I really wanted to read this book because I heard that the protagonist is Filipino and as a Filipino, I was intrigued. I really enjoyed reading this book and the issues that were addressed in the story, particularly about undocumented immigrants, are so relevant today and I highly recommend that people read it. I found that the character seemed too perfect most of the time. Also, I felt that everything was made convenient for the character to have the resolution that they wanted. I felt that the cultural reference could have been expanded or explained a little; I'm Filipino so I get it but others might not.