I don't normally read young adult fiction, but there's something about this piece that just drew me in. A novel about a love of food, of a young woman fighting against the odds to become something better- the rising from the ashes like a phoenix. And while this book has its moments of not-so-greatness and struggles on the structural narrative, it's still a decent novel. There's a clear voice that rings through this book and in each little chapter, you can hear how strong it resonates. Elizabeth Acevedo writes with great clarity of character. The struggles of a seventeen year old suddenly become universal. I really enjoyed this book- I just wish there'd been a little more food involved in it (ironically).