Iveliz Explains It All

(Newbery Honor Award Winner)

Paperback

Grades 5–9
Ages 10–14

How do you speak up when it feels like no one is listening? In this moving novel in verse, one girl takes on seventh grade while facing mental health challenges, and must find her voice to advocate for the help and understanding she deserves.

"Powerful." —Lisa Fipps, Printz Honor-winning author of Starfish


Listen up:
The end of elementary school?
Worst time of my life.
And the start of middle school?
I just wasn’t quite right.
But this year?
YO VOY A MI.

Seventh grade is going to be Iveliz’s year. She’s going to make a new friend, help her abuela Mimi get settled after moving from Puerto Rico, and she is not going to get into any more trouble at school. . . .

Except is that what happens? Of course not. Because no matter how hard Iveliz tries, sometimes people say things that just make her so mad. And worse, Mimi keeps saying Iveliz’s medicine is unnecessary—even though it helps Iveliz feel less sad. But how do you explain your feelings to others when you’re not even sure what’s going on yourself?

Powerful and compassionate, Andrea Beatriz Arango’s debut navigates mental health, finding your voice, and discovering that those who really love you will stay by your side.

SCBWI Golden Kite Honor Award Winner
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
Children’s Book Council Best of Book of the Year
Association for Library Service Notable Children’s Book


"A lyrical, vital, and spunky debut about mental health, grief, and the healing power of self-love. A must read.” —Mariama J. Lockington, Stonewall Honor-winning author of For Black Girls Like Me

★ "Superbly woven; a bold, deep portrayal of a young voice who needs to be heard.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "A compassionate, stirring story that readers will not forget." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "A candid narrative told in quick-moving, rapport-like verse, made accessible by Iveliz’s sarcastically funny, authentically tween voice." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A great reminder that no one is truly alone." —Booklist

"Relatable and powerful. . . . Iveliz’s first-person account amplifies the need for finding one’s voice and asking for help at any age." —The Horn Book

"Deeply moving and honest." —CCBC Choices

ISBN 9780593564004 (Paperback)
Published on Sep 12, 2023
Published by Yearling
Pages 288
Dimensions 5-3/16 x 7-5/8
Age Range 10-14 years
Grade Grades 5-9
Reading Level Lexile: 940L | Fountas/Pinnell: Z

ISBN 9780593563977 (Hardcover)
Published on Sep 13, 2022
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages 272
Dimensions 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Age Range 10-14 years
Grade Grades 5-9
Reading Level Lexile: 940L | Fountas/Pinnell: Z

ISBN 9780593563984 (Hardcover Library Binding)
Published on Sep 13, 2022
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages 272
Dimensions 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Age Range 10-14 years
Grade Grades 5-9
Reading Level Lexile: 940L | Fountas/Pinnell: Z

ISBN 9780593563991 (Ebook)
Published on Sep 13, 2022
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages 272
Age Range 10-14 years
Grade Grades 5-9
Reading Level Lexile: 940L | Fountas/Pinnell: Z

ISBN 9780593611913 (Audiobook Download)
Published on Sep 13, 2022
Published by Listening Library
Age Range 10-14 years
Grade Grades 5-9
Reading Level Lexile: 940L | Fountas/Pinnell: Z

Andrea Beatriz Arango

Andrea Beatriz Arango is the author of Newbery Honor Book Iveliz Explains It All, the Pura Belpré Honor Book Something Like Home, and It’s All or Nothing, Vale. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she first became a teacher. She then spent a decade in the United States working in public schools and nonprofits. When she’s not busy writing about middle schoolers and their families, you can find her hoping to spot manatees at the beach. Andrea lives in Puerto Rico with her family.

Close this overlay
Look Inside

Iveliz Explains It All

Copyrighted Material

Back to Explore Books

Back to Series

Board & Picture Books

Back to Explore Books

Back to Series

Chapter Books

Back to Explore Books

Back to Series

Graphic Novels

Back to Explore Books

Back to Series

Middle Grade

Back to Explore Books

Back to Seasons & Holidays

Spring

Back to Explore Books

Back to Seasons & Holidays

Summer

Back to Explore Books

Back to Seasons & Holidays

Fall

Back to Explore Books

Back to Seasons & Holidays

Winter

Random House Children's Books