Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Ana Maria dreams of going to a top-notch private school, but with her family's income, only a full scholarship will make her dream come true.Ana Maria Reyes Castillo—her father's last name means Kings, and her mother's last name means Castle—does not live in a castle even though her mother reminds her that "we are the Reyes! Wherever we live is our castle." In fact, she lives with her parents and three sisters in a two-bedroom apartment in Washington Heights, a heavily Dominican neighborhood of New York City, and a new sibling is on its way, to boot. Through 11-year-old Ana Maria's voice as she oscillates between self-absorption and empathy, readers discover a close-knit community of family and neighbors. As Ana Maria prepares for a piano recital that she hopes will help her win the coveted scholarship, other events ensue that help her see the importance of the choices she makes: a family trip to the Dominican Republic; a car accident; the birth of the new baby. Burgos' characters have depth, and the community she portrays is complex, warm, and very real. Themes of socio-economic disparities, bilingualism, and straddling of two cultures are brought effortlessly and realistically into the story.Readers will find places in their hearts for this strong and multifaceted character. (Fiction. 8-12)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Gr 4-8 Ana María Reyes doesn't live in a castle, she lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her three sisters and both parents in Washington Heights, New York City. Ana María is caring, outspoken, and impulsive, driven by her emotions but also very goal-oriented. She yearns to attend a private academy, the Eleanor School, but her family doesn't have the money for tuition. To earn a scholarship, she must pass a test and impress the judges playing the piano in a showcase recital at Lincoln Center. She is determined to study and practice every day, but finds it hard to do as part of a large and growing family. Her mother is expecting a new baby and her aunt is getting married. The family travels to the Dominican Republic for the wedding, where the protagonist gets know her family better and makes a new friend. While there, Ana María struggles to grasp the socioeconomic disparities she sees within her own family and community. Somehow, she finds time to practice, helps her family and friends through tough situations, and learns to deal with and accept the consequences of her actions. This middle grade novel is an engaging, character-driven story about an 11-year-old Dominican American girl who is learning about herself and to appreciate her family and friends. It is an authentic representation of a successful immigrant, middle class Latinx family who values education, community, and family and stays true to their roots. VERDICT An excellent book for tweens in upper elementary grades and for middle school library collections. Cynthia Molinar, Medio Creek Elementary SWISD, San Antonio

ALA Booklist (Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2007)

Ana María lives in a small New York City apartment with her three sisters and her parents. It's already a bit cramped, but now her mom is pregnant w will they fit another person into their already confined space? Well, Ana María's parents have some bunk-bed ideas, but that doesn't help Ana María, who struggles with feeling underappreciated and invisible, at times. When she hears about a scholarship to an exclusive private academy, she knows that's what she wants, and she'll need time to practice her piano if she's going to get in. When it comes to her goals, Ana María is driven and single-minded, and if the people around her think that makes her snobbish and selfish, so what? But when her family heads to the Dominican Republic to visit Ana María's Tía Nona, a successful doctor, Ana María starts to realize how the image she projects matters. A warmhearted exploration of self-discovery and family bonds.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Ana Marma Reyes is determined to earn a scholarship spot at the top private school in New York City. But it's not easy to prepare for her piano audition while living in a small Bronx apartment with a large (and still-growing!) family. A trip to her parents' native Dominican Republic puts things in perspective. A warm family story full of heart and humor.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Ana Maria dreams of going to a top-notch private school, but with her family's income, only a full scholarship will make her dream come true.Ana Maria Reyes Castillo—her father's last name means Kings, and her mother's last name means Castle—does not live in a castle even though her mother reminds her that "we are the Reyes! Wherever we live is our castle." In fact, she lives with her parents and three sisters in a two-bedroom apartment in Washington Heights, a heavily Dominican neighborhood of New York City, and a new sibling is on its way, to boot. Through 11-year-old Ana Maria's voice as she oscillates between self-absorption and empathy, readers discover a close-knit community of family and neighbors. As Ana Maria prepares for a piano recital that she hopes will help her win the coveted scholarship, other events ensue that help her see the importance of the choices she makes: a family trip to the Dominican Republic; a car accident; the birth of the new baby. Burgos' characters have depth, and the community she portrays is complex, warm, and very real. Themes of socio-economic disparities, bilingualism, and straddling of two cultures are brought effortlessly and realistically into the story.Readers will find places in their hearts for this strong and multifaceted character. (Fiction. 8-12)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

When Ana María first saw her family-s New York City apartment at age three, -it seemed as big as a castle.- Now, the 11-year-old shares a tiny bedroom with two of her three sisters, and a new baby is on the way. A gifted student and pianist, the girl worries that a fifth sibling will financially jeopardize her chances of getting a good education and further distract her mother, whom she believes doesn-t love her as much as she loves her sisters. Writing in Ana María-s often angst-riddled voice, debut author Burgos builds the drama as her determined protagonist applies for a scholarship to a private school, performs in a piano recital at Lincoln Center, and discovers during a trip to her parents- native Dominican Republic that the aunt she idolizes is a snob who abuses her adolescent maid. Despite encroachment on melodramatic turf, the novel offers a poignant portrait of a warm extended family, and its heroine-s transition from self-centered to empathetic is credible and gratifying. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)