the dirty girls social club by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez
Some novels bring us to tears, others prompt bubbling laughter, and others still might leave a smile carved onto our faces. the dirty girls social club by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez is capable of provoking all of these emotions within one well-constructed plot. Following the lives of six young women who are facing off against challenges in their personal lives while also making strides in their professional lives, this novel by Valdes-Rodriguez is sure to be relatable for readers and might even have them envying its main characters. The spirit of friendship radiates from the narratives found in the dirty girls social club and made me reflect on how thankful I am for longtime friends, near and far. More than encouraging gratitude, the novel reminds us of how wonderful it is, and how lucky we are, to be able to share pride in our friends’ accomplishments and to share in their moments of happiness. Beyond moments of joy and laughter, this novel also confronts stereotypes concerning Latinas, and addresses issues that may be sensitive to some readers including domestic violence, and discrimination based on sexual identity. Although this novel does not have direct applications within a classroom setting, it may offer educators an opportunity to gain insight regarding the diverse communities their students call home, in addition to universal social issues that impact student learning.
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