THIRTY TALKS WEIRD LOVE
A 13-year-old girl growing up in Mexico is visited by her 30-year-old future self in this powerful YA novel in verse about handling depression.
Out of nowhere, a lady comes up to Anamaria and says she’s her, from the future. But Anamaria’s thirteen, she knows better than to talk to a stranger. Girls need to be careful, especially in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico–it’s the 90’s and fear is overtaking her beloved city as cases of kidnapped girls and women become alarmingly common. This thirty-year-old “future” lady doesn’t seem to be dangerous but she won’t stop bothering her,
A 13-year-old girl growing up in Mexico is visited by her 30-year-old future self in this powerful YA novel in verse about handling depression.
Out of nowhere, a lady comes up to Anamaria and says she’s her, from the future. But Anamaria’s thirteen, she knows better than to talk to a stranger. Girls need to be careful, especially in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico–it’s the 90’s and fear is overtaking her beloved city as cases of kidnapped girls and women become alarmingly common. This thirty-year-old “future” lady doesn’t seem to be dangerous but she won’t stop bothering her, switching between cheesy Hallmark advice about being kind to yourself, and some mysterious talk about saving a girl.
Anamaria definitely doesn’t need any saving, she’s doing just fine. She works hard at her strict, grade-obsessed middle school–so hard that she hardly gets any sleep; so hard that the stress makes her snap not just at mean girls but even her own (few) friends; so hard that when she does sleep she dreams about dying–but she just wants to do the best she can so she can grow up to be successful. Maybe Thirty’s right, maybe she’s not supposed to be so exhausted with her life, but how can she ask for help when her city is mourning the much bigger tragedy of its stolen girls?
This thought-provoking, moving novel in verse will lead adult and young adult readers alike to vital discussions on important topics–like dealing with depression and how to recognize this in yourself and others–through the accessible voice of a thirteen-year-old girl.
- Lee & Low Books
- Hardcover
- November 2021
- 208 Pages
- 9781947627482
Buy the Book
$18.95
About Alessandra Narváez Varela
Alessandra Narváez Varela was born and raised in Ciudad Juárez, México. She earned a B.S. in Biology and a Bilingual M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso, where she now teaches. Thirty Talks Weird Love is her debut novel. She lives in El Paso, Texas. Visit her website at alessandranarvaezvarela.com.
Praise
“Poignant. . . Anamaria experiments with poetry structures and formats as she explores young womanhood and self-love, composing sentimental letters to her current and older selves and salvaging friendships gone sour. As readers meet her parents, friends, and other allies, she opens up about serious mental-health concerns and personal trauma, all conveyed through her relatable persona. Fans of The House on Mango Street or The House of the Spirits will be riveted.” —Booklist, starred review
“This is a moving story of a girl on the cusp of womanhood who learns to empathize with others’ sadness and finally to care for herself. A must for every library given its timely themes, international setting, and authentic protagonist voice.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“In bold and gorgeous verse, Varela crafts a deeply moving and evocative story that grapples unflinchingly with issues of mental health. This is a book our young people need. Alessandra Narvaez Varela is a fresh new voice, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.” —Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor-award winning author of Other Words For Home and My Heart and Other Black Holes
“A lyrical, deeply-felt portrayal of a young woman’s love for a broken city and a broken self, and the hard-won emergence of hope.” —Francisco X. Stork, author of The Memory of Light
“Devastatingly profound, at once exuberant and heartbreaking, Thirty Talks Weird Love, is filled with linguistic pyrotechnics and an expansive heart. Cd. Juárez/El Paso del Norte is elevated, and celebrated by Alessandra Narváez Varela, with a deep ferocity of understanding, mercy, and love. She holds the pulse of Border life powerfully in her hands. Healer she has become through her words.” —Denise Chavez, bookseller, activist, and author of Loving Pedro Infante
Discussion Questions
1. In Alessandra Narváez Varela’s dedication she writes, “poetry doesn’t give back life, poetry is not justice, but she remembers and doesn’t let us forget.” How is poetry an act of remembering? Why is memory important in this story?
2. Why do you think Alessandra Narváez Varela’s decided to write this novel in verse? Why not use prose? Do you agree with her decision? Why or why not?
3. How does Anamaria deal with the pressures of school?
4. How does being bilingual impact Anamaria’s poetry?
5. What is femicide? How does it play a role in the story?
6. What does being a girl in Ciudad Juárez mean for Anamaria?
7. Why is the honor roll so important in this story? What does it signify for the different characters? What does it mean to Anamaria?
8. Why does poetry become so lifechanging for Anamaria?
9. Why does Anamaria find it hard to sleep? What kind of reoccurring dreams does she have?
10. What are some of the shared characteristics of the girls who go missing?
11. How does Anamaria come to love herself?
12. How do Anamaria’s experiences throughout the story change her?
13. What evidence in the book demonstrates Anamaria is struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide?
14. Why is Anamaria scared to ask for help?
15. What is the role of family and friendship in helping Anamaria become who she is by the end of the book?
16. The story is told from Anamaria’s perspective. How would the story have been different if it were told from Margarita’s perspective? Thirty’s perspective? Pipina’s perspective? How does the perspective of the narration affect how you experience the story?
17. How did you feel about the way Thirty Talks Weird Love ended? Were you satisfied with the ending? Why or why not?
18. How does the Author’s Note impact your reading of the story? What did you learn from the Author’s Note?
19. What is the significance of the title ‘Thirty Talks Weird Love’ after reading?