Shut Up, This Is Serious

In this award-winning YA debut by Carolina Ixta, two Latina teens navigate the complexities of life in East Oakland, where love, friendship, and identity intertwine amid personal and societal challenges. Belén Dolores Itzel del Toro yearns for normalcy, grappling with her father’s absence, a struggling academic future, and her best friend Leti's unexpected pregnancy. As they confront the realities of their circumstances, Belén begins to understand the deeper implications of friendship and the generational cycles that shape their lives. This poignant story resonates with themes of resilience and self-discovery, making it a must-listen for fans of contemporary young adult literature.