Clap When You Land is the story of two girls- Camino living in the Dominican Republic waits all year for the summer when her father comes to visit and Yahaira, who lives in New York City, but whose father goes home every summer and never brings her with him. When Camino is waiting at the airport for her father, she gets the terrible news that his plane went down over the ocean. On the same day, Yahaira is called to the principal's office to hear the news that her father's plane went down and they are assuming there are no survivors. Both girls struggle to deal with the aftermath of their favourite persons death, they also learn that their father had a secret he kept from both of them, but when they learn this secret, the loss of their father brings new family and new relationships into play.
This story was phenomenal. I love stories told in verse, and the way this story alternates perspectives gave insight into how the girls were dealing with such a big loss. I loved learning about life in the Dominican Republic, outside of the very narrow view vistors to local resorts get there. Camino had so many talents and dreams and the fear that she might not achieve her goals is very hard to imagine. Yahaira also has an interesting life in New York City and reading about how she navigates her life there was also fascinating. Yahaira's mother also was quite an interesting character, she clearly knew of her husbands secret, and held a great deal of anger towards him and where does that anger go when the person dies is a question that was addressed through this story. I know that these two girls are going to live with me for a while after finishing this story.
Clap When You Land does deal with mature sexual content, but it wouldn't stop me from giving it to grade 8 students.
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