It’s All or Nothing, Vale

Gr 5 Up–Arango’s third novel-in-verse gets aligned representation—author, protagonist, and narrator are all bilingual Puerto Ricans. As talented fencer Vale begins seventh grade, “She looks exactly like the/ tough/ champion/ athlete/ she’s always been.” But a recent motorbike accident means she requires a pink cane (despite her insistence it’s unnecessary) to navigate through excruciating pain: “I’m no quitter,” she insists. Vale’s struggles feel compounded when new girl Myrka steps into the spotlight. Not only is Myrka talented, but she’s also annoyingly nice and maybe even irresistible. Constantly being the angry young athlete proves exhausting; Vale will need to accept some caring and nurturing from unexpected others, including older brother Manu, ex-bff Stephanie, and even her worst competition, Myrka. Ortiz is a simmering cipher, embodying young Vale’s overwhelming frustration, transforming slowly into something resembling acceptance and hope.