"Clap When You Land" by Elizabeth Acevedo

Clap When You Land is another outstanding book by Elizabeth Acevedo. Like her Poet X it is written entirely in verse. I do recommend listening to it on audio if you get a chance. This story is about two sisters: one living in New York and the other in the Dominican Republic. Their father had two families, married two different women, and the two girls were born two months apart. The sisters know nothing about each other or the double life their father leads. Then unexpectedly, a tragedy strikes. Their father dies in a plane crash while en route to his annual summer retreat in the DR. 

The book provides a wonderful insight into the hopes and dreams both girls have, how much they both love their father and how their lives change upon his death. This book is also about grief, how paralyzing and soul crushing it can feel not being able to find a reason for senseless and sudden death. As usual, Acevedo explores hard hitting subjects of poverty, sexual harassment, and immigration. At the same time, this book is full of love and hope. At this point, she is definitely one of my favorite authors. 5 out of 5 stars.