Boricua Perez, born blind because of retinopathy of prematurity, recounts how she's succeeded in becoming a professional musician, music educator, and activist in this inspiring I, Witness series memoir. Doctors doubted she'd lead a normal life, but her mother disagreed. Bullied in middle school, Perez found refuge by singing all types of music, from classical to Latin. When she was a senior in high school, her music production teacher recognized her talent and offered to help her make an album. Perez describes how she struggled to raise funding on Kickstarter and admits it's not as easy as it looks on television. When accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston, she initially resisted because it was too close to home. While there, she faced discrimination by some professors but learned to advocate for herself and her communities. Readers will be engaged by her honesty, tenaciousness, and belief that "my blindness isn't what solely drives me, but it is a big part of what motivates me."

Gr 4–8 —For young readers who are looking for hope in the face of adversity but are uninterested in sappy, sorrowful tales, hand them this autobiography of musician and recording artist Precious Perez. Born prematurely with a health issue that caused blindness, she developed an early affinity for music, singing along with her favorite artists on her beloved karaoke machine. A high school teacher recognized the extent of her talent and capability, helping her organize the funds to record an album at the school's recording studio. Now a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and a professional in her own right, Perez finds little need in romanticizing her hardships, instead focusing on the power of her accomplishments and the inroads she's made for other disabled musicians. While this title is fast-paced and easily digestible for a range of reading abilities, it may take some hand-selling by librarians to find its audience. The cover lacks visual appeal and the title blocks much of Perez's radiant smile, an unfortunate stylistic feature of the "I, Witness" biographical series. Back matter includes a glossary, discussion of how visual impairments impact students, and a time line of historical events important to the visually impaired. VERDICT A straightforward, no-nonsense biography that is nonetheless the triumphant story of a young person's success.—Alexandra Quay