A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating the complex grief of losing a grandparent or family elder, especially within a large, vibrant family. 'High Spirits' is a beautiful collection of interconnected stories about the Belen family, who are gathering as their powerful, magical matriarch is dying. It gently explores how different family members, particularly the teen cousins, process their anticipatory grief, family secrets, and cultural heritage. For ages 13 and up, this book uses magical realism to provide a comforting and nuanced look at death, legacy, and the enduring strength of family bonds. It's a wonderful choice for opening conversations about how love and memory connect us even after loss.
The book deals consistently with themes of grief, family illness, and loss.
Substance ReferencesMild
Adult characters casually consume alcohol (wine, rum) in social or family settings.
Sensitive Topics
The book's central topic is the death of a loved one from old age and illness. The approach is direct and emotionally honest, but the tone is softened by the magical realism framework. Grief is portrayed as a communal and multifaceted experience. The resolution is realistic (the matriarch passes away) but ultimately hopeful, focusing on legacy, healing, and the continuation of family traditions. The spiritual elements are rooted in Afro-Caribbean traditions and folklore, not a formal religion.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful teen, 14-18, who is processing the illness or death of a grandparent. It's particularly suited for a reader who appreciates character-driven stories, family sagas, and magical realism. It would deeply resonate with a teen exploring their own cultural heritage, especially if they are part of the Latin American diaspora.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, as its themes are universal. However, a parent might want to be prepared to discuss their own family's history and traditions around loss. The concept of magical realism, where the fantastical is treated as normal, might be a useful concept to introduce for readers new to the genre. No specific scenes require a preview for sensitive content beyond the main theme of dying. The parent has observed their teen becoming quiet or withdrawn after learning a grandparent is seriously ill. The teen might be asking difficult questions about death or expressing a feeling of being disconnected from extended family traditions surrounding mourning and remembrance.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely connect with the relatable cousin dynamics, the romantic subplots, and the more overt magical elements. An older teen (15-18) will be better equipped to appreciate the nuanced exploration of generational trauma, the complex family secrets, and the powerful theme of legacy. They will also recognize the literary craft of the interconnected story format.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA grief novels that focus on a single protagonist, 'High Spirits' presents a chorus of voices. This structure uniquely validates the idea that everyone in a family grieves differently. Its specific grounding in Dominican-American culture and brujería offers a rich, non-Western spiritual framework for understanding death and ancestry, which is a rare and valuable perspective in the YA space.
Read plot summary
This book is a collection of interconnected short stories centered on the multigenerational Belen family. The cousins and their parents gather at the family home in Hidalpa, New York, as the family matriarch, Mamá Belen, is on her deathbed. Each chapter follows a different family member, primarily the teen cousins, as they grapple with the impending loss, their unique magical gifts (a form of brujería), long-held family secrets, and their Dominican-American identity.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Each of the Belen cousins has a different magical ability and a different way of coping with Mamá Belen’s illness. Which cousin did you relate to the most, and why?
2
The family's magic often seems like both a gift and a burden. Can you find an example of each in the stories? How does their relationship with magic change by the end?
3
Family secrets play a big role in the book. Why do you think Tía Tica kept the truth about her past from her daughter, Matilde? Do you think she made the right choice?
4
The title is 'High Spirits'. After finishing the book, what do you think this title means in the context of the Belen family's grief and legacy?
