The Latte Rebellion Review

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Title: The Latte Rebellion
Author: Sarah Jamila Stevenson
Publisher: Flux
Published: January 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 327
Source: Publisher
When high school senior Asha Jamison gets called a "towel head" at a pool party, the racist insult gives Asha and her best friend Carey a great money-making idea for a post-graduation trip. They'll sell T-shirts promoting the Latte Rebellion, a club that raises awareness of mixed-race students.

Seemingly overnight, their "cause" goes viral and the T-shirts become a nationwide fad. As new chapters spring up from coast to coast, Asha realizes that her simple marketing plan has taken on a life of its own-and it's starting to ruin hers. Asha's once-stellar grades begin to slip, threatening her Ivy League dreams, and her friendship with Carey is hanging by a thread.

And when the peaceful underground movement turns militant, Asha's school launches a disciplinary hearing.Facing expulsion, Asha must decide how much she's willing to risk for something she truly believes in.
The Latte Rebellion follows Asha Jamison, your ordinary teenage girl with extraordinary dreams that finds herself at the bad end of a racial slur during a pool party. When one of her fellow classmates calls her a “towel-head,” Asha and her friend Carey dream up something they call “The Latte Rebellion.” A group formed for all those who don’t quite fit into a single ethnic background, Asha decides to capitalize on the idea to make a little money on the side…but she had no idea that The Latte Rebellion would be so popular. Seemingly overnight, the rebellion takes on a life of its own, and students start becoming more forceful. In fact, the helpful and supportive organization Asha created might just be the end of her Ivy League dreams.

I remember hearing the premise of The Latte Rebellion a while back, and I was instantly hooked by the premise. Plus, who can deny a cover with a steaming mug of coffee, eh? While contemporary fiction isn’t usually my thing, I was attracted to The Latte Rebellion because of the undercurrent of morals that seemed to seep into every pore of the story, giving it a real, tangible approach to a serious issue in this day and age. While a lot of contemps seem to be surface-level only, Sarah Jamila Stevenson has seamlessly blended a coming-of-age story with a strong theme of tolerance, community, and friendship.

What I loved most about The Latte Rebellion was the accessibility of the characters. Asha is extremely approachable. She’s a teen with all her angst and rebellion, but she has a goal and a viewpoint. Carey is well-rounded, too, and a bit of a joker – adding just a hint of comic relief through the otherwise tense situations. While I enjoyed the overall pacing of The Latte Rebellion, it’s important to note that the story jumps between flashbacks of what happened to the current predicament that Asha has found herself in. I felt that, at times, it was a little abrupt, and I had to remind myself we’d changed from past to present.

Overall though, The Latte Rebellion was a poignant, powerful, and inspiring read. In an age where too many people turn a blind eye, or shut up when they should speak, this book encourages the reader to stand up for their beliefs and values. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to fans of YA, as well as adult audiences, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

31 comments:

  1. I love contemporary fiction especially ones from which you can learn something from. The Latte Rebellion is now on my TBR. Thanks for the review!

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  2. I have never heard of this book before. It also like a great read. I will put on my tbr list. Thanks for the review :)

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  3. Oh, I've been waiting to see what you thought of this. I love the sound of this book, and it looks like I'll have to go out on the hunt for it!

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  4. This book sounds interesting. Thanks for your review. I feel like I have a much clearer understanding of this book now.

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  5. I'm still warming up to books in this genre. (contemporary fiction) I love reading paranormal stories, and this is so not paranormal. I do think this is a great books for young adults and even adults with a great message in it. I may give it a try. Great review! :)

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  6. Fabulous review Melissa, I don't read much contemporary fiction either, but this one might be an exception:) I love accessible characters and despite the flashbacks, it sounds like this is a great read. Plus, the cover makes me crave coffee:)

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  7. I like the sound of this. I'm not a huge contemporary reader, but I like books about empowerment and standing up for yourself. It's interesting how the Latte Rebellion came to be. I might pick this one up now.

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  8. It definitely sounds a nice book with good ideas - thanks for your review! I really can't crave more coffee so perhaps I shouldn't look at the cover too often. ;)

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  9. I like the sound of this one, strong, and good. A contemporary book I could enjoy for sure

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  10. Melissa, I hadn't heard of this book before your review, but your right, who wouldn't want to pick it up based on the cover.

    I don't know if it is a standard plot device for Contemp Fic, but I have also noticed that they switch from past to present quite abruptly, and it always annoys the heck out of me. I'm all for giving CF a chance, but hopefully the back and forth thing won't be something we have to get used to as we read more in that genre.

    Thanks for the great review, Melissa.

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  11. I have been reading more and more contemporary novels lately, and have been looking for more novels that deal with deeper issues than having sex, getting the hot guy, or fighting with the mean crowd, The Latte Wars sounds like it might have those bases covered. Thanks for a terrific review.

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  12. Awesome review! This is one of the DAC I want to read next month! :) Which YA sub-genre do you like to read most?

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  13. I was instantly drawn to the premise when I first heard about it, as well, even though contemporary isn't really my thing. But I love your review so I'm going to add this to my TBR.

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  14. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one! It sounds like it has a really great message.

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  15. Great review Melissa! I love books about colored people (not that I am of color...well, I am 1/4 japanese and 1/8 indian)so I am looking forward to this. I really think that this subject needs to be talked about more. Some people can be so racist:P
    -Danna

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  16. This one sounds good! I've been wanting to read more contemporary fiction - I usually find it hard to drag myself away from those angels and vampires! - but I might check this one out. Also, I like the cover. Cute!

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  17. Thanks for your review! I definitely want to read it now !! =) I love this cover

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  18. I might have passed on this one due to the title and cover, but I love your review! I love a book that encourages people to speak up. Yep, need this one. Thanks!

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  19. Thanks for the review! I'll have to look for this one. I love to find contemporary fiction that's not just surface level.

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  20. I love books about standing up about your beliefs and values!

    Yes, I think you'll love Daughter of Fire and Ice. I hope that you get round to reading it :)

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  21. I love contemporary fiction and this one sounds like a good novel. Great review, Melissa.

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  22. Great review! This sounds like a really interesting read, and I love the fact that it's contemporary.

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  23. Great review. I like that this books deals with tolerance, community, friendship and mostly importantly to speak up for yourself. Sounds like a great read :)

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  24. I just finished this book and I agree with a lot of your points. I struggled with Asha at times because she could be frustrating with her different viewpoints, but overall I thought it was a good book. Great review!!

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  25. I can see why you were drawn to the premise. I wouldn't mind giving this one a read either; plus, now I'm curious about how Asha handles the situation she finds herself in. Thanks for the recommendation - this definitely sounds like something I would like. :)

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  26. I like the sound of this one! Great review Melissa! I find it difficult to move from past to present tense as well. It always feels jumpy to me.

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  27. Thanks so much for the thoughtful review, Melissa! (And I love the cover, too! :) )

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  28. Great review, as always Melissa. I had not heard about this one, and though I don't read much YA, your observation that it would appeal to people who read adult contemporary fiction has piqued my interest. I am off to check this one out.
    Hope you had a fun, safe, New Year's!

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  29. The premise for this book is really interesting to me. Lately, so much more than normal, it seems that racism is coming in force and I guess I find it odd. Aren't we supposed to be progressing? I don't know, guess I'm looking at things odd. Still, I think it's an excellent topic for a book. To help make others aware of what is going on around them. Great review as always Melissa. I will be adding this to my TBR.

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

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  30. I have to say that I also don't really read contemporary ya fiction (something which definitely needs to change), but reading your glowing review is definitely making me want to read this one. And yes, that cover is awesome :)

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