THE MAKING OF YOLANDA LA BRUJA

Lorraine Avila's familiarity with the world she describes and facility with code-switching are strong pluses in her narration of this story. In school 16-year-old Yolanda Alvarez leads courageous discussions about race, deals with her hearing difficulties, falls in love for the first time, and worries about the violent visions she's recently had. Her frightening perceptions are related to Ben, the rich newly enrolled white son of a progressive politician. Outside school Mama Tete, her grandmother, teaches Yolanda Afro-Dominican ancestral practices and supports her developing bruja gifts. Though Avila's character differentiation is not particularly strong, she renders the strength of Yolanda's community and the support of her diverse school in a way that balances the anxiety she feels about the racism and threat Ben poses. S.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2023]