Avila, Lorraine. Making of Yolanda La Bruja, The. Levine Querido, 04/2023. 384pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-64614-243-9. GRADES 9–12. ADDITIONAL.
Yolanda, a Black girl with Dominican Republic heritage, feels at home at her high school in the Bronx, until a white boy transfers in and she begins getting bad feelings and visions about him. Her bruja (mystical) heritage gives her visions of the boy possibly becoming violent, and she struggles with what she can do about it. The plot builds slowly but becomes very emotional and engaging when an incident of gun violence devastates Yolanda and her community. For non-Spanish speakers it’s not always clear from the context what the Spanish words, phrases, and sentences mean. But readers from all backgrounds will find this vivid depiction of Dominican mysticism compelling, and Yolanda’s whirlwind of emotions will keep them engaged until the dramatic ending. Review based on an ARC.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library