Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Bibliography

Acevedo, E. (2020). Clap when you land. HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0062882767

Plot Summary

Camino lives in the Dominican Republic with her aunt. She sees her father a few months out of the year. Yahaira lives in New York City with her mother and her father. Her father spends three months in the Dominican Republic, where he is from, each year. When a plane from New York crashes on its journey to the Dominican Republic, both girls’ worlds are shattered. Not only have they lost their father, but they discover that he has two families, they have a sister in each other, and life will never be the same. This novel in verse by Elizabeth Acevedo, inspired by the real plane crash in 2001, is sure to stay with readers long after the last pages. 

Critical Analysis

Clap When You Land includes the perspective of both Camino, a Dominican teenager who, with the financial support of her father, is able to pursue opportunities that many in her community can not. She attends school, is kept safe from a man in the neighborhood who has questionable dealings, and dreams of one day moving to New York to become a doctor. Her aunt, whom she lives with, practices as a healer in her community, and Camino assists her. At one point, they help deliver Camino’s friend’s baby when she gives birth in the middle of the night, or “dando a luz”, as it is called. Camino’s aunt is often seen burning incense, praying to the saints. She prepares dishes such as stewed goat. Camino describes their home as a place where “the street doesn’t have sidewalks”, “water rises to the tile floors of your home”, and a place where people learn “the language of survival”. 

Yahaira, a first generation Dominican American, lives a very different life with her mother. She lives in a New York apartment and is an excellent chess player. Her girlfriend, Dre, lives next door and grows plants on her balcony. She attends school like everyone else in her community, and does not live in want. She is learning what her identity is as a Dominican-American who was “raised so damn Dominican. Spanish my first language, bachata a reminder of the power of my body, plátano & salami for years…” Yet she asks herself “Can you be from a place you have never been?”

Throughout the story, family is treasured including those who are related by blood, and those of the community that become family. The lessons learned by the characters show how important those ties are. It highlights the strength and struggles of womanhood too from which readers of many different backgrounds can relate. The writing is beautiful and full of metaphors that bring life to the characters and situations both good and bad. For instance, the character Camino states, “He must have realized his laugh was like one of those paper shredders making sad confetti of my hopes”. Or Yahira who states, “A queen offers her hand to be kissed, & can form it into a fist while smiling the whole damn time.” There are Spanish phrases woven beautifully throughout as well. Most readers will be able to determine the meaning of these through context, and it adds a rich authenticity to the stories of Camino and Yahira. This novel in verse is perfect for both YA and adult readers who love great stories. 

Review Excerpts and Awards

From Publisher’s Weekly: “Returning to verse, Acevedo subtly, skillfully uses language and rhythm to give voice to the sisters' grief, anger, and uncertainty; Camino's introspective openness; and Yahaira's tendency toward order and leadership. Raw and emotional, Acevedo's exploration of loss packs an effective double punch, unraveling the aftermath of losing a parent alongside the realities of familial inheritance.”

From Kirkus Reviews: “Every line is laced with betrayal and longing as the teens struggle with loving someone despite his imperfections. A standing ovation.“

Connections

Check out Elizabeth Acevedo’s other novels: 

• Acevedo, E. (2020). The poet x. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0062662805
  
• Acevedo, E. (2021). With the fire on high. Harpercollins Children's Books. ISBN 006266283X
  

Have students research the plane crash that inspired this story. They can find connections to the book or share stories they learned of when researching. 

Share readings from the author: https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=18893