Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen romance inspires empathy for immigrants.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In SOMETHING IN BETWEEN, all the years of hard work are about to pay off for high school senior Jasmine de los Santos. Her top grades should get her major scholarships to the country's top universities, and as captain of the cheerleading team she's determined to win the national championship this year. What's more, it turns out that cute guy who asked for her phone number is the son of a prominent congressman. But Jasmine's world crumbles when she learns that her parents never got green cards for the family after their work visas expired and that they've been in the United States illegally for years. Goodbye, scholarships. Goodbye, future. Goodbye, boyfriend. Except Jasmine's never been one to just give up, and she's determined to find a way to make her dreams come true after all.
Is It Any Good?
Veteran author Melissa de la Cruz gives us an engaging twist on the standard teen romance formula of young lovers from vastly different backgrounds fighting for a future together. Romance fans will be more than happy with the swoon-worthy Royce and hardworking, high-achieving Jasmine. But they'll also learn a lot about what it's like to be an undocumented immigrant and about the real effects America's laws and policies have on people's lives.
Something in Between blasts a number of stereotypes and provides refreshing insight into Filipino culture. Romance fans are unlikely to notice or mind some of the hokey dialogue and predictable plot twists, and they'll get a lot of food for thought, too.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Something in Between portrays undocumented immigrants. Did anything surprise you about Jasmine and her family? Does their situation seem realistic?
Did you read the notes at the end? What do you think of the Dream Act and the DACA policy? If you knew about them before, did the book change your mind about anything?
Have you read any other books by Melissa de la Cruz? How does this one compare? How does it compare to your favorite romances?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harlequin Teen
- Publication date : October 4, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 448
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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