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EVERYTHING WITHIN AND IN BETWEEN

Nikki Barthelmess

Sixteen-year-old Ri Fernandez is lonely. Biracial and raised by her strict immigrant grandma, who's always off working to build a perfect life, she can't afford her best friend Brittney's Prada-and-Mercedes lifestyle or speak Spanish with her neighbors. And there's always been a hole in her heart left by the mother who, after having Ri as a teen, vanished when she was five.

So when Ri finds a secret stash of letters from her mom to her Grandma over the years—begging for a visit, and never answered—Ri decides to reclaim what Grandma kept from her: a language, and a mother. She transfers from French to Spanish and memorizes her mom's address, just two towns over. But nothing goes as planned. Ri's white friends side-eye her choices, and if her Latinx friends find out how bad she is at Spanish, they'll never stop calling her weda. Grandma refuses to acknowledge that Ri's angry, or answer any of the questions eating her up. Everyone wants to put her in one little box, and no one wants the whole of her.

No one - except Mom. When Ri finds her, their secret meetings at the library soon become bright spots in her life. But even as Ri thrills at every hug and smile, it becomes clear her mom is hiding something... something that could drive them apart for good.
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Published 2021-10-01 by Harper Children's

Comments

[...] Barthelmess' story thoughtfully explores intergenerational cultural dynamics and racial microaggressions as it follows Ri on her journey of self-discovery. An honest and engaging narrative. – Kirkus

A stunning story about having faith in oneself, one's friends, and one's family. Ri and all the people she loves are so real and full of heart that it's impossible not to root for them" – Samantha Mabry, author of Tigers, Not Daughters

A relatable, compelling, and powerful story that offers a way forward, a way to reclaim and redefine one's self. -- Randy Ribay, author of the National Book Award finalist Patron Saints of Nothing

A hopeful coming-of-age story about new friendships, first love, and figuring out how to bridge two worlds. It's a tender novel that glimmers with all of the wonder of self-discovery. -- Monica Gomez-Hira, author of Once Upon a Quinceañera

A moving story about family, the challenges facing biracial teens, and the importance of forgiveness.” – Ismée Williams, author of This Train Is Being Held

An earnest and heartfelt look at biracial identity, complicated family dynamics, and the discovery of who we are and who we hope to become. -- Crystal Maldonado, author of Fat Chance, Charlie Vega