Nilda

The writer’s ability to use word pictures to tell the story of a time, culture and a people that some might not otherwise have the privilege of meeting provided a wonderful experience.I look forward to reading more of her work.

This is a lovely tale recounting the trials and tribulations of a young Puerto Rican girl growing up in New York, circa the 1940s. Nilda, a young woman of courage, ultimately finds true expression in her art. The characters are finely sketched, but there is a disconnect between the narrative, the dialogue, and the art. Some portions of the narrative are either too sophisticated or too rote and mundane to pair up with the musings of a child. Despite its flaws, the spirit of the story shines through.

I enjoyed reading this book about a girl growing up -We witness her struggles, triumphs and mostly the interaction of the family.The years between ten and fourteen were very important in Nilda's development. She shows strength and determinationI would recommend this book to girls between ages 12 and 14 and adults..

mohr is an excellent writer. Her characters are well developed and the dialogue is authentic. Nikda's story is lovingly told yet, Mohr does not sugar coat the reality of Nilda's life. I highly recommend this book

It’s a good read

Writing not insightful or inspiring. Ordinary descriptions on childhood and adolescent themes

Great writing; vivid descriptions of everyone.

Finally, I get to read a young adult coming-of-age book that doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't! It isn't a grandiose book of romance and drugs and wonder, with the teenager becoming a hero or tragic hero. It's just a simple story of a poor New York born Puerto Rican girl hitting her adolescence during WWII, a story of love, pain, fear, discrimination, poverty, abuse, narrow-minded immigrants, relationship problems, puberty, desire for upward mobility - but none of it told in the sensational or overly dramatic way of so many young adult books. It's simple, to the point, discreet. It reminds me of that statement some famous movie director said about another director: "He showed us more with a closed door than most directors do with an open zipper." It was a book I could enjoy. It didn't have a strong plot, but it had powerful flesh-and-blood character with hearts and desires. I would say that the main character struck me as depressed, and actually, you might say most or all of the people in the book - or perhaps the culture at the time - walked around in a cloud of low-level depression.Although I gave the book five stars, it wasn't the kind of book that sets stars blazing in the sky. It was just a no-nonsense and no-frills portrayal of a time, a place, and a culture... I would whole-heartedly recommend it.