For teens exploring cultural identity, breaking free from generational expectations, and navigating the thrilling complexities of first love and future dreams.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen feels caught between their family's past and their own future, especially within a strong cultural heritage. This story centers on Rosa Santos, a Cuban-American teen living in a small Florida town haunted by a family curse: the sea has taken the men in her family. Torn between her grandmother’s fierce superstitions, her mother’s emotional distance, and her own dreams of leaving, Rosa must decide whether to play it safe or risk everything for love and self-discovery when she meets a charming boy with a boat. This novel beautifully explores themes of identity, generational trauma, and the courage it takes to forge your own path. It's a warm, hopeful read perfect for teens 13-18. It provides wonderful representation and opens up conversations about how family history shapes us, making it an excellent choice for a teen navigating the complexities of growing up in a multigenerational, multicultural family.
Sweet, gentle first love romance with some kissing.
Substance ReferencesMild
Adults drink alcohol socially (rum, etc.). No underage drinking.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with generational grief and the death of family members (in the past, not depicted on-page). The 'curse' is a metaphor for the real trauma of exile and loss within the Cuban diaspora. The approach is secular but deeply infused with cultural spirituality and superstition. The resolution is hopeful and empowering, focusing on choosing your own destiny rather than being defined by the past.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 14-17, who feels torn between family expectations and personal dreams. It's particularly perfect for a second or third generation immigrant reader exploring what their heritage means to them. Also for any teen who loves a sweet, character-driven romance blended with a touch of magical realism and mystery.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. No specific scenes require pre-reading. However, a parent might want to be ready for conversations about cultural identity, the immigrant experience (specifically Cuban exile), and the ways family trauma can be passed down through generations. A parent hears their teen express frustration with family rules they see as outdated or overprotective, saying things like, "They just don't understand what I want," or, "I feel like I'm not allowed to have my own life."
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely connect most with the sweet central romance and the mystery of the family curse. An older teen (15-18) will more deeply appreciate the nuanced exploration of cultural identity, the complex three-generational female relationships, and the challenge of defining oneself against a powerful family legacy.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA identity stories that focus on angst, this book is characterized by its warmth and strong sense of community. The use of magical realism as a metaphor for generational trauma is a unique and effective device. It offers a specific, lovingly rendered portrait of a Cuban-American enclave in Florida, making the setting a character in itself.
Read plot summary
Rosa Santos, a high school senior in the small, heavily Cuban-American town of Port Coral, Florida, lives under the shadow of a family curse that says the sea claims all the Santos men. This has left her with a fiercely protective abuela and an emotionally distant mother. Rosa dreams of a future away from her suffocating town, but she also feels a deep pull to the history and community there. When she meets Alex, a newcomer with a boat, she finds herself drawn to him and the sea she's been taught to fear. Together, they work on a project about the town's history, which forces Rosa to confront the truth about the curse, her exiled grandfather, and her own identity.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Abuela Mimi's belief in the curse is meant to protect her family, but it also holds Rosa back. In what ways do the stories our families tell both protect us and limit us?
2
Rosa feels caught between her abuela's past in Cuba, her mom's wandering life, and her own unknown future. How does the town of Port Coral, with its mix of old traditions and new people, reflect Rosa's internal conflict?
3
At the end of the book, do you think Rosa has actually broken the curse, or has she simply decided not to let it control her life anymore? What is the difference?
4
Rosa, her mother, and her abuela all show their love for each other in very different, sometimes conflicting, ways. How did their relationship change throughout the story?
