Samuel Robertson Technical teacher-librarian Adria Schafer recommends Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo for National Poetry Month.
In honour of April being Poetry Month, I picked a novel written in the style of a poem by Elizabeth Acevedo. Her novel in verse powerfully explores grief, complicated family relationships and forgiveness, as two teens navigate family secrets and tragedy.
Clap When You Land pays tribute to the American Airlines flight 587 tragedy and reflects the pain, anguish, and heartbreak that was felt throughout the Dominican community after the crash.
Camino lives in the Dominican Republic and Yahaira lives in New York. Both have no idea that the other exists, or that their shared father was living two lives, until their father is lost in a plane crash. Told in alternating perspectives, we learn the secrets, lies, and pain that binds these two young women together as they navigate mourning their father, meeting each other for the first time, and the struggles they face in their lives.
This is a fantastic read that is beautifully written as it explores sometimes difficult topics. Samuel Robertson Technical students enjoy the unique experience of reading a novel in verse, and soon learn to follow the rhythm and flow of the book. Our students have also enjoyed other books by Elizabeth Acevedo, including The Poet X (also written in verse) and With the Fire on High.
Clap When You Land is available in SD42 libraries and on Sora.
- Read more novels by Elizabeth Acevedo in SD42 libraries, including The Poet X and With the Fire on High.
