Ixta, Carolina. Shut Up, This Is Serious. HarperCollins/Quill Tree, 01/2024. 368pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-328786-0. GRADES 9–12. OUTSTANDING.
Belén and Leti are best friends who are finishing up high school in East Oakland. Leti is pregnant and her family are super strict and Catholic, unaccepting of her Black boyfriend or his gracious parents, and find a way to blame Belén for Leti’s lack of morality. Belén seems to be rudderless and unable to find a purpose in her life. Belén feels trapped and tries to escape by dating an older guy, leading to self-destructive behavior. Complicated family dynamics threaten to tear down both Belén and Leti, but the two eventually find solace and support with each other. Main characters are Latine, and the girls live in the Fruitvale neighborhood. This debut novel won the Pura Belpre Award for young adult fiction. Includes California-specific content.
Pauline Harris—San Francisco Public Library