Gabi: A Girl in Pieces

 








Gabi, A Girl in Pieces is a young adult novel written by Isabel Quintero.   The novel takes form in the shape of Gabi´s journal entries over a year.  The diary entries begin during the final few weeks of summer and end on her graduation day.  In her diaries, Gabi reflects on the drama that she endures through high school.  Gabi grows up in Southern California and dreams to attend college at Berkeley.  She is a good student, but struggles with Algebra II. She even has to retake it her senior year.  In the final few weeks of summer, Gabi´s friend Cindy becomes pregnant and becomes the center of gossip.  Gabi´s mom fears that Cindy will be a bad influence on her daughter.  Gabi begins a relationship with a boy named Eric who she develops a trusting and mature relationship with.  Gabi´s father is a drug addict and is in and out of her life.  When he claims he is sober, Gabi believes him, however he relapses.  At the same time her brother begins to act out and her mother finds out that she is pregnant.  Gabi begins to feel the overwhelming pressure of life´s challenges.  However, she continues to apply at Berkely and to develop her love for writing.  Gabi´s father dies of an overdose and her mother goes into early labor with her new baby brother.  Cindy also has her baby, and to make matters worse, Gabi discovers Cindy´s pregnancy was a result of rape.  Filled with anger, Gabi attacks Cindy´s rapist and is suspended from school.  She is forced to miss her graduation ceremony.  However, the principal does not include the suspension on Gabi´s personal record, so she is able to be accepted to Berkely.  Even though she is upset about missing her graduation, Gabi feels confident and proud of her acceptance to Berkeley.

Gabi, A Girl in Pieces deals with serious life issues such at teen pregancy, rape, drug addiction, body image, coming out, and death.  These issues are all experiences that touch Gabi´s life and helps mold her into the person she comes to be.  Readers may be able to relate to Gabi dealing these issues and see how Gabi overcomes her challenges and becomes a strong and confident person.  

Quintero, I.  (2014).  Gabi: A girl in pieces.  TX:  Cinco Puntos

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