Clap when You Land

Elizabeth Acevedo's 'Clap When You Land' is a poignant young adult novel in verse that tells the story of two teenage girls, Yahaira and Camino, who live separate lives in New York City and the Dominican Republic, respectively. Their worlds collide when their shared father dies in a plane crash, revealing his secret second family. The book beautifully explores themes of grief, identity, family secrets, and the complexities of cultural heritage. It's a powerful read for teens navigating loss, questioning family dynamics, or seeking stories with strong, diverse voices.

Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people... In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash. Separated by distance -- and Papi's secrets -- the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered. And then, when it seems like they've lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.