Libertad

It’s not often that I’m left wanting so much to stay with the characters, but hitting the end of this book, I wished deeply that I could see what they would make of the last few years.
The story ends looking forward to the future with a mix of hope and grief. It strikes a good balance of letting Libertad grow into herself while allowing her uncertainty. No matter where or when the story left Libertad I think it would have had to end like this, bittersweet, raw, and human.

Libertad pulls apart the struggles of being tied to and loving a place that has hurt and repressed you, the choice of when to stay or when to go, when to compromise or to hold to convictions, when and how to protect yourself or to fight. And there were no simple show more answers and no choices that wouldn’t take as much as they could give.
I loved the characters and how they all opened up different perspectives on these themes while still feeling wholly human and fully realized. show less

Thank you Dial for the gifted book.

A young Honduran poet finds her voice by using an anonymous Instagram account to post her political poetry during the rigged Presidential election in the queer coming-of-age-story of LIBERTAD.

Libertad uses her poetry as an outlet to speak out about what’s happening in her country despite being unable to speak up for herself at home. Her family and school are homophobic and her Mami saw a text about her kissing a girl. Her older brother is participating in protests. Tension at home is high. Then tragedy strikes. Libertad must decide whether to stay or leave home.

LIBERTAD was a powerful and emotional read that encapsulated what it is to be an other in a country that doesn’t accept you on a normal show more day, let alone during political upheaval. A lot was tackled in this book, yet everything was given its due time to be explored. I walked away with new knowledge of Honduran politics. For all of the violence and heartbreak, there was also queer joy, hope, and love. This book will be sticking with me for a while. show less

Libertad is a beautiful story about the very real consequences of political strife on families. Libertad herself is a relatable young girl trying to find her place in a society that does not openly accept her as she is. Her brother, Maynor, bravely opposes the right-wing party that is trying to control Honduras' government against their constitution. Every member of their family and friend group has their own story of pain and love, and the book as a whole was moving. While definitely not fast-paced, Bessie Flores Zaldivar takes the time to develop the characters, relationships, and background.

Heartbreaking, inspirational, and definitely worth the read.

Writing: 5
Characters: 5
Plot: 5
Setting: 5
Enjoyment: 4

Powerful coming of age story

I am amazed that this is a debut novel. The characters all felt like real people with their own personalities and quirks. I fell in love with Libertad and her family.

The setting of Honduras is new to me and it was described with every sense that made it feel authentic. I now know more about the culture there as well as the delicious foods I need to try for myself.

This novel is set during a time of political unrest when the November elections are upcoming and Libertad is going to be eligible to vote for the first time. She and her family know how important it is to cast their votes to use their voices, but she also knows the current officials in power may not listen to the citizens and invalidate the election show more results. So much corruption exists in all levels of government; bribes, murders, and nepotism run rampant and readers are shown many results of these crimes, making this a tough read at times but also one that creates empathy for people living under these conditions. show less

This queer coming-of-age book follows Libertad, a lesbian teenager living in Honduras during 2017, a time when dictator Juan Orlando Hernández was in power. The story takes place through her senior year of high school, her eighteenth birthday and her first romantic encounters with girls. She is facing the choice to study at the local university or apply for scholarships to universities in the US. Her story is set against a backdrop of political instability and violence in a culture that is homophobic. The details of day-to-day life in Tegucigalpa make the book come alive: the food, the weather, the traffic, the school. I appreciated learning about the culture and history of Honduras.
Libertad is a beautiful and bittersweet book, and I show more loved Libertad's character but also those of her complex family and friends. The author is incredibly skilled at portraying the lives of young people in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. She writes so emotionally and accurately about tragedy, grief, helplessness and hope. One of the best YA books of 2024. Highly recommended. show less

Libertad lives in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, with her mother, brothers, and grandmother. She's on the verge of graduating high school and is applying to colleges outside Honduras. Libertad knows she is gay, in a society that frowns upon queerness. Meanwhile a presidential election is on the horizon, illegally called by the current right-wing president. Libertad, her older brother Maynor, and many other young adults protest the political corruption they see, wondering all the while how to keep living in a country that doesn't seem to care about them. A powerful novel that expresses the frustrations of young people wanting to make things better in the world but not seeing the change.