Burn, Baby, Burn by Meg Medina

Burn, Baby, Burn by Meg Medina is a coming of age young adult novel which provides a compelling look into growing up Latina in late 1970’s New York City. The main character, Nora, is about to graduate high school and she is struggling to balance school and work and family obligations, while hoping for independence.  Her future plans are in limbo as the city itself reels from a historic blackout, a frightening string of serial killings and menacing arson attacks.

Nora’s brother, Hector, is basically evil, with seemingly no conscience. One is left to wonder if that is a result of his nature (“boys will be boys” as some of his apologists claim), or the result of nurturing (poor parenting from a single Mom), or somehow related to a culture and environment (urban poverty, drug dealing) which condones or produces violence. Questioning those factors makes Burn, Baby, Burn highly relevant for teens today. There are also quite a few references to first and last names and skin color in this book (Nora’s full name is Leonora Lopez and her sometimes boyfriend Paulie was christened Pablo Ruiz) and the prejudices they face should also resonate with many participating in the current discussions across our country. 

Booklist, Kirkus, and School Library Journal all gave Burn, Baby, Burn starred reviews. I originally picked up this book because I had read and recommended Medina’s Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, winner of the 2014 Pura Belpre Author Award. Definitely look for that title, too.  It’s a realistic, if painful, portrait of high school bullying with another strong Latina character.