Color Me In meets I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter in Everything Within and In Between, a deeply honest coming-of-age story about reclaiming a heritage buried under assimilation, the bonds within families, and defining who you are for yourself.
For Ri FernĂĄndezâs entire life, sheâs been told, âWe live in America and we speak English.â Raised by her strict Mexican grandma, Ri has never been allowed to learn Spanish.
Whatâs more, her grandma has pulled Ri away from the community where they once belonged. In its place, Ri has grown up trying to fit in among her best friendâs world of mansions and country clubs in an attempt try to live out her grandmotherâs version of the âAmerican Dream.â
In her heart, Ri has always believed that her mother, who disappeared when Ri was young, would accept her exactly how she is and not try to turn her into someone sheâs never wanted to be. So when Ri finds a long-hidden letter from her mom begging for a visit, she decides to reclaim what Grandma kept from her: her heritage and her mom.
But nothing goes as planned. Her mom isnât who Ri imagined she would be and finding her doesnât make Riâs struggle to navigate the interweaving threads of her mixed heritage any less complicated. Nobody has any idea of who Ri really isânot even Ri herself.
Everything Within and In Between is a powerful new young adult novel about one young womanâs journey to rediscover her roots and redefine herself from acclaimed author Nikki Barthelmess.