Something in Between

Jasmine de los Santos is a high-achieving Filipino-American high school student in Los Angeles who learns her family is undocumented. The revelation comes just as she wins a prestigious scholarship and begins dating Royce Blakely, the son of a prominent Republican congressman. As Jasmine navigates her senior year, she must keep her immigration status hidden while fighting to find a path to stay in the only country she's ever known. Her relationship with Royce becomes complicated by his father's political stance on immigration, while her own family faces potential deportation. The pressures mount as Jasmine attempts to balance her academic goals, her growing activism, and her personal relationships. She discovers her voice as an advocate while wrestling with questions of belonging and identity. This contemporary young adult novel explores themes of immigration, social justice, and the meaning of home through the lens of a teenager caught between worlds. The story challenges assumptions about what it means to be American and examines the human impact of immigration policy.

Readers appreciate how the book brings attention to immigration issues through a personal lens, with many noting it helped them understand DACA and undocumented families' experiences. The romance subplot and family dynamics resonated with young adult readers. Readers highlighted: - Educational without being preachy - Strong Filipino-American cultural representation - Complex parent-child relationships - Realistic portrayal of teen romance Common criticisms: - Plot becomes predictable - Some dialogue feels unnatural - Too much focus on romance vs immigration story - Political issues oversimplified Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (180+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (30+ ratings) One reader noted: "It opened my eyes to struggles I never considered." Another criticized: "The main character's voice sometimes feels inauthentic for a teenager." The book scores highest among readers aged 13-18 and those interested in contemporary social issues.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon A romance between a Korean-American boy and Jamaican girl unfolds while her family faces deportation from the United States.

American Street by Ibi Zoboi A Haitian immigrant navigates life in Detroit while pursuing the American Dream after her mother is detained by immigration officials.

It's Not Like It's a Secret by Misa Sugiura A Japanese-American teenager moves across the country and falls for a Mexican-American girl while dealing with family expectations and cultural identity.

The Lines We Cross by Randa Abdel-Fattah The son of an anti-immigration activist develops feelings for a Muslim refugee girl, forcing both to confront their beliefs and family loyalties.

Dream Things True by Marie Marquardt The niece of a documented Mexican immigrant falls for a wealthy American boy while her family struggles with their undocumented status.

🌟 Author Melissa de la Cruz drew from her own experiences as a Filipino immigrant to the United States while writing this novel, though her path to citizenship was different from the main character's. 📚 The book was published in partnership with Seventeen Magazine as part of their fiction initiative to reach young adult readers with relevant, contemporary stories. 🎓 The main character's struggle with her undocumented status while applying to college reflects a real challenge faced by approximately 65,000 undocumented students who graduate from U.S. high schools each year. 🏆 The novel was selected as a Junior Library Guild Selection and named to the Chicago Public Library's "Best of the Best" Books list for 2016. 🗽 The book's publication in 2016 coincided with significant national debates about immigration policy and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), making it particularly timely and relevant.