American Street

324 pages

English language

Published Jan. 9, 2017 by Balzer + Bray.

ISBN:
978-0-06-247304-2
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OCLC Number:
950745328

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4 stars (7 reviews)

When Fabiola's mother is detained upon their arrival to the United States, Fabiola must navigate her loud American cousins, the grittiness of Detroit's west side, a new school, and a surprising romance all on her own.

6 editions

Review of 'American Street' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Fabiola is travelling from Haiti to live with her aunt and cousins in Detroit when her mother is detained by immigration. Her new home is on the intersection of American and Joy but her new life is far from perfect. Her new family always seem to have money despite never working and they don't appear to be doing much to help free her mother.

I liked how elements of Vodou were interwoven into a contemporary tale. It's left up to the reader to decide whether or not the man on the corner is really Papa Legba or if Fabiola is just projecting her beliefs onto him. Still, she believes in him and she takes guidance from the songs he sings. She also sees her deities in other characters, those who represent the same things as them.

In Vodou, death is seen as a transition from one life to another, and …

Subjects

  • Interpersonal relations
  • Haitians
  • Mothers and daughters
  • Schools
  • Cousins
  • Immigrants
  • Fiction

Places

  • United States
  • Detroit (Mich.)