Rosa by Any Other Name

by Hailey Alcaraz

In this Romeo and Juliet-inspired retelling set during the civil rights era, a Mexican American girl is driven to join a movement for justice after her white classmate and best friend from the barrio are tragically murdered.

Rosa Capistrano has been attending posh North Phoenix High School to boost her chances of a college education and a career in journalism, thanks to the groundbreaking Brown v. Board of Education verdict for desegregation. But though she’s legally allowed to be there, it’s still unsafe for Mexican Americans. That’s why she’s secretly passing as Rosie, a white girl. All she has to do to secure her future is make sure her Mexican home life and her white school experience never intersect.

However, Rosa’s two worlds collide when her best friend Ramon and classmate Julianne meet and find themselves entangled in a star-crossed romance. Rosa is terrified about what their relationship could mean for her and them . . . and her worst fears are soon realized in an unspeakable tragedy. Rosa is thrown into the center of a town-wide scandal and her true identity is put in the spotlight. With the help of Marco, Ramon’s brooding and volatile brother whose passion ignites hers, Rosa must choose what is more important to her—protecting her fragile future, or risking everything to help her friends find justice.

Rosa by Any Other Name is a harrowingly beautiful coming-of-age tale that shines a light on an important and often overlooked facet of US history.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Historical, Retellings, Audiobook, Hispanic

416 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5, 2025

About the author

Hailey began her writing career in the sixth grade as a kid reporter for Time for Kids magazine, and has been addicted to storytelling ever since. Born in California and raised in Arizona, she's a Southwest girl through and through who loves stories about fellow multicultural girls finding their way in the world.

She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband, two daughters and precocious German Shepherd. Connect with her online at haileyalcaraz.comand @alcarazbooks on both TikTok and Instagram.

Reviews

[Marieke (mariekes_mesmerizing_books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5 stars.

Rosa By Any Other Name is inspired by Romeo and Juliet. But this isn’t a tragedy. It’s a murder. I clenched my fists while reading.

The story digs into the supposed integration of Mexican Americans in the 1950s. Supposed, because even though Mexican kids have been allowed into white schools for two years, it’s still dangerous. So Rosa becomes Rosie. A white girl, at least on paper.

This story grabbed me by the throat. Not just because the Romeo and Juliet thread is gut-wrenching. Or because Rosa watches, caught in the middle, unsure what to do. Until she finds her voice and starts pushing back. It hit me just as hard because of what’s happening in the US right now. The feeling that a story like this could be real again. Unthinkable not long ago. Now, it feels frighteningly close.

So yes, this story is raw, infuriating, and heartbreaking. But there’s a sliver of hope in it too. Not everything is solved by the end, far from it. And that feels right for a story like this.

If you’re expecting a romance, this isn’t it. Marco is the love interest, and there’s a hint of enemies-to-lovers, but that part shifts quickly. Above all, Rosa By Any Other Name is a contemporary story that left a brick in my stomach.

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[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s in a name? For Mexican American teen Rosa Capistrano, it’s everything— college, opportunity, her future. In ROSA BY ANY OTHER NAME by Hailey Alcaraz, it’s staying at her school as Rosie, where she has a chance of achieving the life she wants, one that will make her and her family’s sacrifice worth it. But when one of her classmates falls in love with her best friend, Rosa’s delicate balance of separating school from her barrio is upended. Against the backdrop of civil rights demonstrations and school desegregation, Alcaraz deftly explores identity and the pressure to assimilate in this Romeo and Juliet-inspired retelling. The characters are full-bodied and familiar. The prose is captivating and honest as it confronts racism, discrimination and the real fears that can be met when revealing your true self. Brave and determined, Rosa is a chameleon, cautiously blending into the background—until she can’t. ROSA BY ANY OTHER NAME is a smart, engaging call-to-action complete with star-crossed lovers, tragedy, and hope where “separate is not equal” and one voice in the crowd can make a difference.

Thank you, Viking, for an advance copy!

[Cece❄️☃︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
My opinion: I don’t often read historical fiction, so I wasn’t too engrossed in this book, but I would still recommend it if you enjoy books about racial justice. This book was pretty good along the lines of historical accuracy, I did catch a couple slips, but hopefully they’ll get fixed before the final publication. This book was not my cup of tea, but I didn’t not like it either. I don’t really have anything bad to say about it and I do think that this book has the potential to be really enjoyed by someone who likes this genre more than I do. The one thing that I particularly did not like was the similarity between the book characters’ names (Ramón Montoya and Julianne Callihan) and Romeo and Juliet’s names (Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet). I can appreciate a play on words, but this was a little much, just because a book is forbidden romance doesn’t immediately make it Romeo and Juliet. Yes, both couples have a similar love story that ended tragically, but Romeo and Juliet died as result of a misunderstanding, while Ramón and Julianne were murdered. So, in my mind, I don’t think there’s enough of a similarity between the two stories to make their names so similar sounding.

Genre: historical fiction (1950s)
POV: first person, past tense
Trope: forbidden romance

Age rating: 13+
Violence: murder (semi-descriptive), gunshots, blood, a fist fight between a couple of boys at school
Romance: some non-descriptive kissing, the whole book revolves around the forbidden romance of Rosa’s two best friends
Drinking/drugs/smoking: a character smokes frequently (not uncommon for the time), mentions of alcohol and an alcoholic father
Language: 1 f***ing, 1 sh!t, 2 g0dd@mn, 2 d@mn, 5 h3ll, multiple derogatory terms for Mexican-Americans that are mostly used by the same side character

Trigger warnings:
- racism
- gun violence
- death
- police brutality

Publish date: 5-August-2025
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[lydia mcqueen {67} ୨ৎ {matching with cassie} · Rating 3 out of 5]

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review
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thank you to netgalley and penguin group penguin young readers group for providing an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review


✨✨✨ ~ 3.5 rounded to 3


i honestly am not sure how i felt about this book. it had its ups and downs. i didn't like it so much at the beginning and honestly thought about dnf-ing, but since it was an arc, i wanted to power through and finish it. it did get better towards the end, but i think what i was looking for was the romance. i requested this arc almost a year ago and while i had requested a lot of other books that day, what stuck out to me about this one was that it was (supposedly) a romeo and juliet retelling. and yes, i'm not saying it wasn't, but it wasn't in the way i initially thought it would be. it was more a really really distant cousin of r&j, like there were parts of it that followed the original script, but the play on the names (ramon and julianne) was lwk giving try-hard and their love story was not following the same lines as shakespeare's.
now what i found weird was that i used to absolutely love historical fiction. i would read ruta sepetys' books all the time and for awhile i was obsessed with finding other books like hers. this was one i had found on netgalley and it sounded really good, but it wasn't my kind of book. the racial injustice rep was really interesting to read about, but idk something about this book wasn't it for me. i think someone who genuinely enjoys the historical fiction genre more than i do would have been more invested in the plot of it.

tws:
- racism
- gun violence
- death
- police brutality




❀° ┄───╮
pre-read
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gotta top these violent delights with a (hopefully) better romeo and juliet retelling!! 🤭

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

*An ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Sometimes you read a great book, an outstanding book, and wait almost a year to write the review. My bad, everyone. Grad school is a bear.

My mutuals know that I’m a hard sell on historical fiction. Nothing against the genre, or at least nothing I can confidently articulate, but it’s just not my favorite.

I almost missed this one because of that prejudice. This is my PSA to all historical fiction haters to get it together and read this.

A Romeo & Juliet retelling set to the beat of 1960s school segregation in Phoenix, Arizona, with a smattering of Nella Larsen’s Passing, this book has it all. I would kill for Rosa and her friends.

Perfect for fans of The Hate U Give or anyone brighter than me who understands that historical fiction can be fantastic. I’m still thinking about this one all these books later.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️
Absolutely, not, I could not do this book, anymore, I got at least over 60% and even then I was struggling hardcore. Honestly, there were so many things that literally irritated me to no end with this book. Some of the characters were great. I think most of them I did not care for at all. I'm sorry if you love this book. It's just not for me.

[Kimberly (Bookblurbist) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vibes:
➤ Romeo/Juliet Inspired
➤ 1950s Phoenix Setting
➤ Mexican American Civil Rights
➤ Political Activism

Thoughts:
Such a powerful and relevant story to today’s political climate. The setting was the greatest highlight of this novel. Newspaper clippings, radio broadcasting, relevant landmarks — there was so much attention to detail that went into making sure that the 1950s Phoenix, Arizona setting was brought to life. Not only that, but specifically the setting that Rosa may have experienced as a Mexican American attending an all white high school. Speaking of which, Rosa is the perfect character to lead this story, as she is often conflicted by her duty to self, family and community. Her naivety and lack of political involvement at the start of the story made sense for a young woman with high hopes and dreams for herself. Her coming of age is both heartbreaking and profound. I found her to be such an easy character to root for. Would highly recommend this book to anyone!

[Brett Schnebelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

My coworkers read this book for our work book club selection, in honor of Hispanic heritage month. One of our colleagues is sisters with the author, and it is very relevant in Arizona, specifically with Hispanic culture. It is also very relevant to what is going on in America today

[Sugarpop · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there was a good idea in this but it could have done more with it.
The setting was interesting and worth exploring.
Rosa's romance does not feel very fleshed out.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this YA novel and finished it quickly. The narrator is compelling, and the setting- 1950s Arizona, is not a common book for a coming of age novel. (Usually everything is set in NYC or another big city, but Phoenix was a new one for me!).

I was expecting more parallels to Romeo and Juliet, but I liked how subtle they were. A really enjoyable novel that teaches many lessons and creates lovable characters who are facing realistic challenges. I'm recommending it to all my teacher friends and will suggest to some students.

[Mella aka Maron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!!

Have you ever read a book where the words flowed so smoothly that it felt easy to read but comprehending and embracing the words was so heart wrenchingly difficult due to the subject matter?

That’s this book.

Typically, I do not like historical fiction, but I enjoyed Alcaraz’s first book, Up in Flames, so I requested this one. There is something so compelling and inspiring about the way Hailey Alcaraz writes. Her words just flow so eloquently. From the very first pages, I was engaged with this story. I adored Rosa and I thought her character was particularly powerful. She is not a starry-eyed optimist. She is a realist with hope. She wants, needs to believe in something greater but also understands the difficulties that await her and her family and friends.

I want you all to go into this story blind - so I can’t discuss the plot much. I will say that this book reminded me of The Outsiders; I’m not quite sure why, to be honest. 😂 It feels like a book that should be read in junior high or late elementary school - fifth graders could read this and comprehend everything and also have in-depth discussions about everything within. It could be a staple in curriculums. The way it’s written to be easily read but also suggests more? Insanely amazing.

I’d recommend this to everyone: I think young YA readers could read this book without difficulty. I think parents could read it and discuss the topics with their children. I think everyone should give this one a shot, even readers who don’t normally like historical fiction like me. If I can enjoy it, I’m sure you will too!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
I read this book because it was suggested by Goodreads for Hispanic Heritage Month. The cover is cute but not one that I would typically pick up to read as it looks like more of a rom com. But my interest was piqued with the Romeo and Juliet reference but I felt that could be hit or miss because it is one of my favorite plays/movies (90s remake one).
Anyways, I loved it more than I expected. The R&J nods were subtle but would pop out to me intermittently and gave some hints of mood that I could feel. While not as poetic as Shakespeare, his version was obviously an old dude talking about teens. This one felt like it was from the teen perspective, which did make it feel juvenile and naïve at times, but felt fitting. With that said, there was less of a plot overlap than I expected, this book had its own plot centered around civil rights for Latinx people which feels important at this point in history.

[Ylenia Damiani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4//



Comfy read and then absolutely tragic and then back to comfy.. repeat..repeat.

Imagine Romeo and Juliet meets Hispanic civil rights movement during the 50s.

There is historical information shared — I’d consider this historical fiction!

Rosie is the historical tour guide of this story. Marco her companion

Rosie passes as white, so does her friend— suddenly her friend falls in love with their friend who does not pass. This is the story of a community unsure what to do when worlds collide… a community never the same because of one simple act of love.

[Yolie V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly important. Rosa is known by her classmates at her non integrated school as Rosie wants to get into college. However, she's a Mexican American teen growing up in 1955 Arizona. The tension between people of color and whites is at a peak. In a time of civil unrest, Rosie has yet to understand how that applies to her. Then, her best friend Julianne, the blond beauty of her school, falls in love with her best friend Ramon. The perfect Romeo and Juilet. Until one fateful night when Julianne's father finds out and in a racist fit of rage, he guns them down. This event leads to chaos in Rosie's life and others. Ramon's mom loses a son, Marco lost a brother, and Roise lost two of her best friends. Rosie knows she must stand up for what's right. She's fearful and at times weary of it all, but she knows she can do it. She has Ramon's brother Marco at her side, Veron a local activist to count on as well as her parents and sister.
As a Mexican American growing up in a time that in many ways mirrors the 1950s, I felt seen. I recognize the power of my voice and how I can use it for good. I know that issues with racism and people of color have always been an issue. Now more than ever, we see how it plagues our society. We can not go back in time, but speaking up stands the test of time. Alcaraz has given readers a book of love and revolution, and I'm here for it.
*trigger warning this book contains topics of gun violence and racism/prejudices

[jordyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Although heartbreaking, Rosa's story gives hope that change is possible when we come together; it reminds us that we have to try and stand up for what we believe in. I also appreciated this book highlighting Mexican American history, especially with regards to segregation (I was expecting Mendez v. Westminster to be mentioned, that would have been cool) but I did learn a lot.

[Allison Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. A Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1955, in the midst of civil rights movements. The historical struggles of Mexican Americans were tough to read knowing my own family members likely struggled with the same battles. Highly recommend!

[Amber Wessies Owrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel set in the 1950s with Romeo and Juliet vibes. I appreciated that the novel showcased the hardships and racism Mexican-Americans faced after desegregation and trying to find their place in society (not really white but not black either).
It had some similar themes and concepts to Ashley Hope Perez's Out of Darkness, but I much perferred Rosa By Any Other Name.

[Katelyn Trout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Docking one star just for some slow parts and filler I think could have been removed, but overall really enjoyed this book. A story heard far too often, but beautifully documented.

[aubrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'm loving it so far but am SCARED for everyone. oh and i'm eating up the minuscule crumbs of romance were getting but tbh I'm so much more invested in the story and can't wait to see what happens next.

[Helen Freire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was incredibly excited when I got my hands on this ARC because the plot immediately caught my eye. Rosa by Any Other Name is a powerful and emotional historical fiction novel that left a lasting impression. Inspired by Romeo and Juliet and set against the backdrop of the civil rights era, it explores the deeply personal and political journey of Rosa Capistrano, a Mexican American teenager navigating the difficult choice to pass as white in order to pursue her dreams of a college education and a career in journalism.

What makes this novel so impactful is how it delves into the complexities of identity and the consequences of assimilation. Rosa’s internal conflict is palpable — the pressure to fit into a white world while knowing it means erasing a vital part of herself. Her journey from silence to finding her own voice is both heartbreaking and empowering. Hailey Alcaraz crafts Rosa’s character with such nuance and emotional depth that you can’t help but root for her as she steps into her truth, even when it comes at a cost.

The parallel love story of Julianne and Ramon adds another layer of tension and tragedy. Their relationship, born out of innocence and defiance, is doomed from the start, yet you can’t stop hoping they’ll find a way through. The unraveling of their love mirrors the conflicts at play — the deep-seated racism and prejudice that defined the era.

Alcaraz doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of racism and injustice, but instead confronts them head-on, showing both the heartbreak and resilience of those who dared to fight back.

The end was the only thing that left me with a bittersweet taste, I was hoping to find more of the repercussion of Callahan and how it marks in the fight of injustice.

Rosa by Any Other Name isn’t just a story about forbidden love or self-discovery — it’s a raw and necessary exploration of race, privilege, and the courage it takes to reclaim your identity. This book will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

[Kim Aguilar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!!

Wow I honestly did not expect this book to be the way it was. It definitely started off slow, but this book resonated with me so much especially with what is happening in the US this week. And towards Mexicans none the less, it was a very good hopeful story of how things changed from the 1960s to know, but it is also a good reflection of what hasn’t changed. I really enjoyed this book and it broke my heart reading it, but it was definitely a necessary read.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosa By Any Other Name is a powerful and important story, one that tackles meaningful themes with care and honesty. It’s the kind of book that makes you stop and think and I’m genuinely glad I picked it up.

That said, it didn’t have quite as strong of an emotional impact on me as I’d hoped. While I appreciated what the author set out to do and respected the message, something about the delivery kept me at a bit of a distance. Still, it’s a story that deserves to be read and discussed and I’m grateful I took the time to experience it.

[FER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hailey Alcaraz breathed power into the pages of ROSA BY ANY OTHER NAME. It's a girl's journey from observer to participant. It's a portrait of family and community held together by love, hope, and resilience. It's a shout of frustration. A cry for justice. A call to action.

ROSA is inspired by Romeo and Juliet, set in 1950s Arizona at the onset of the civil rights movement. Alcaraz's fair Verona is Phoenix. Her Montagues and Capulets -- Montoyas and Callihans. Romeo to Ramón. Juliet, Julianne. Will's houses "both alike in dignity." ROSA's? They are on opposite sides of the prejudiced "separate but equal" construct.

The tragedy is, sadly, inescapable in both. There is no fairytale ending. No retconning American history. Will's houses, "Go hence to have more talk of these sad things." amd exit the stage with nothing more than a slap on the wrist for driving their children to kill themselves for love. Alcaraz instead writes organization. Mobilization. Radicalization. Her story is the refusal to accept systemic racism and violence perpetrated against marginalized communities, specifically here Mexican-Americans. It's a challenge to stay under the stage lights, get uncomfortable, and face reality with open eyes.

The greatest departure from the play is ROSA's greatest strength - Rosa, herself. She is a brilliant main character with relatable doubts and inspiring courage. Rosa's journey from head down assimilation to community advocate is what kept me turning pages. Her growth is our encouragement. She questions authority. She speaks up. Marches. Chooses love. She becomes the oppressors greatest fear - educated. Oh the good trouble I imagine she gets up to long after that final page.

ROSA BY ANY OTHER NAME is the book I recommend you read right now. With your family. With your teenagers. With book club or reading buddy. Right now when injustice is rampant in our communities. Your voice matters.

On a personal note ...

My parents are childhood sweethearts. They met in kindergarten. Had crushes on each other as they grew up. Dated in high school. Married shortly after. My dad is a Ramón. My mom is a Julianne. They are four years younger than Ruby Bridges. Loving v.Virginia was law for only twelve year before they got married. I read ROSA BY ANY OTHER NAME with a brick in my hand and hope in my heart. For them.

Thank you Penguin | Viking Books for the advance digital copy to read and review.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: ROSA BY ANY OTHER NAME by Hailey Alcaraz, VRH/ Viking, August 2025, 416p., ISBN: 978-0-593-52557-9

“But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate, then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight”
– The Black-Eyed Peas (2003)

“On Wednesday, President Trump referred to undocumented immigrants as ‘animals’ during a White House meeting with California leaders who oppose sanctuary city policies. ‘We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in, we’re stopping a lot of them. And we’re taking people out of the country, you wouldn’t believe how bad these people are.’ Trump stated. ‘These aren’t people, these are animals.’”
– League of United Latin American Citizens (2018)

Tuesday, September 6, 1955
“Julianne made a soft humming sound, clearly curious but not bold enough to push for more information. At least not yet. ‘Well, all right, then. I suppose now I should tell you the next bit.’
My heart lurched. ‘There’s more?
She leaned toward me even though we were already sitting fairly close to one another. ‘You see, I agree with a lot of what you said about people not liking me and him together. So we’ve come up with a plan.’
‘A plan?’ I repeated, unable to keep the dread out of my voice. ‘What sort of plan?’
Her denim-blue eyes glinted, and she suddenly had the scheming demeanor of an aspiring bank robber. ‘We’re going to the Silver and Blue Ball together.’
‘What’ I nearly shouted. Why? Why would you want to bring him here for that?’ I struggled to keep my voice low, both to avoid being overheard and to conceal my terror at this notion. I couldn’t begin to fathom why they’d want to flaunt this romance like that, to throw themselves in the crux of scrutiny and scandal.
‘We want to use our love for one another as a force for good.’ she said, flushing instantly at the disbelieving look I gave her. ‘Like I said, I know it’s not without risks, which is why we want to take a stand. To speak out against the stigma of a relationship like ours. There shouldn’t be anything wrong with what we’re doing, and yet–
‘Julianne, is that what this is really about? Is this all some sort of protest or rebellion–’
‘No!’ she interrupted, eyes wide. ‘No, of course not, Rosie. We truly care about each other. Really, you have to believe me. I love him. Her voice caught a bit at this, like just talking about her feelings for Ramón was enough to make her tearful. ‘We both believe in a better world. A more equal one. And we both want to be a part of making it happen. It’s something we talk about all the time. We think this thing between us, it could be meaningful for others as well. Maybe if we show up together, somewhere that’s a big deal to folks, then we can make a statement. But we’ll need your help.’
I couldn’t stop myself from snorting. It was ridiculous and silly and idealistic and exactly the type of thing Ramón would be drawn to.
Maybe they had more in common than I’d thought.
Maybe there was something here.
My pulse raced as I considered this plan. I tried to see it all from another angle–from their angle–like El Foro had shown me. I tried to keep my fear from boxing me in.
But it wasn’t easy.”

It’s 1955 in Phoenix, Arizona, the year after the Supreme Court’s monumental and unanimous Brown v. Board of Education decision that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established during Reconstruction in Plessy v. Ferguson.

Rosa Capistrano is a very light-toned Mexican-American adolescent with a lot of smarts and loving, hard-working parents. Rosa’s beginning her senior year in high school with hopes of attending Arizona State. She dreams of a career in journalism. That’s why, despite having been born and raised in the barrio of South Phoenix, she has changed her name to “Rosie,” is passing for white, and is trying to keep her head down as she attends the fancy North Phoenix High School across town where curriculums are focused on college-bound students rather than the no-frills vocational high school in her own neighborhood.

Rosa’s best friend at school is Julianna, a popular student, a beautiful young white woman, and the daughter of the city’s elected sheriff. The two girls are both on the staff of the school paper.

Rosa’s best friend at home is Ramón. Their Mexican immigrant fathers served together in the Second World War and the kids have all known one another since birth. Ramón is a good guy who feels like a cousin to her.

It’s because of Rosa, but purely accidental, that one day Ramón and Julianna catch a look at one another. The crosstown pair quickly becomes inseparable.

ROSA BY ANY OTHER NAME is Romeo and Juliette all over again. Ramón and Julianna. = Romeo and Juliette. You know they’re gonna die. And they do.

Given the prejudice and related slurs of those days, this one is surely relevant today, given a President whose words for Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans too often recall the hatefulness of Adolf Hitler. It sure seems that many Hispanics are projecting an unspoken-but-palpable wariness and fear these days, when I pass them on the street and nod Hi.

What is most heartbreaking, of course, is that this stuff never ends. The idealism of the Sixties in which I grew up–the dreams of peace and equality–seem to have dried up. Innocent people of color are still regularly killed by police who profile and shoot first, and ask questions later. The Defense Secretary openly posts about taking the vote away from women, and has “paused” observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pride Month, Juneteenth, and Holocaust Days of Remembrance.

It was cute when George Banks sang in the Mary Poppins film about the Age of Men. But this stuff out of the White House about love for the Gilded Age (the era of robber barons, segregation, widespread corruption, and devastating poverty) is anathema to those of us with hopes of a country where all are respected, have access to health care, get enough to eat, and are free pursue their dreams.

Thus, ROSA BY ANY OTHER NAME, set seventy years ago, is a powerful young adult story for these days. It’s a page-turner and an eye-opener that imparts an important history lesson for my grandkids’ generation.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because Goodreads suggested it for Hispanic Heritage Month. Honestly, based on the cover, I thought it was a romantic story and not something I’d normally go for—but the good rating made me curious. I ended up being pleasantly surprised! I was completely absorbed from start to finish. There’s a Romeo-and-Juliet feel—not about love so much as the way division and circumstance shape the characters’ lives. The writing is vivid and immersive. I enjoyed it more than I expected.

[Aniyooooo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars, maybe 4.5

SUMMARY
Rosa Capistrano has been attending North Phoenix High School under the guise of Rosie Capistrano, a White American. However, when her two friends Ramon and Julianne are murdered by Julianne’s father, Rosa finds her two worlds colliding. In a bid to move forward, Rosa joins hands with Marco and they begin their fight for justice.

Genre: historical fiction, young adult, romance
Content warnings: racism, murder (gun violence) homophobia, police violence

REVIEW
Minor disclaimer - I went into this with the wrong plot in mind (I accidentally mixed up and mashed two plot summaries together in my head). Despite this, I still enjoyed this book.

“[...] What are you working so hard for if you don’t think we’ll ever be equal to them?”

Firstly, this is meant to be a take on Romeo and Juliet set during the Civil Rights era between a Mexican boy and a White girl. And whilst the parallels are subtle (arguably non-existent), they are still there, and I actually did enjoy making the connections between the two.

All along, we’d been linked together by otherness without ever having to say it out loud. It both warmed my heart and broke it at the same time.

“We are all in this together,” he’d said. “Inequality might look different across different groups, but the fact remains that inequality is inequality. [...] We must strive to eliminate racism in all its forms. For all of us.”

Secondly, the book itself was an interesting and powerful read. Even though we’re all aware of it, it’s easy to forget that numerous other groups were affected by segregation laws in America as well. So it was really interesting to explore the civil rights movement from a Mexican standpoint. Whilst it may not be entirely accurate, it was still informative and piqued a deeper interest in the subject for me.

And the thing is, I’m beginning to suspect no one would even care about any of this if Julianne hadn’t been killed too.

Reading this book, I felt the anger of the injustices faced by Rosa and her community. It’s not necessarily an easy/light read. But it’s not meant to be. Alcaraz does such a beautiful job telling the story of some of the struggles Mexicans faced in the 50s. If it didn’t evoke some kind of emotion in you, if you weren’t angry, sad, hopeful reading this, read it again. And read it slower. Take your time with it. Because there is so much to be taken from this. There’s so much to appreciate as well.

Sure, it was possible to confront the unknown on our own. We’d both done it before. But why should we when we had each other?

Another brief note, whilst I did adore Marco and his romance with Rosa, and I can see why people would have wanted more of it (hell, I wouldn't have ocmplained if there was more either), I think Alcaraz did perfectly well with it. I’m glad it wasn’t the focal point of the story. Instead, it acted as a driving force to open Rosa’s eyes and give her a foot into the fight for equality. Furthermore, at the end where she acknowledges that whilst she doesn’t need Marco and vice versa, but she could still want him by her side during the fight, I loved it, especially since it would have been so easy to get swept away in the romance of the moment.

OVERALL
I did enjoy this book more than I’d expected (given I had the wrong synopsis in my mind), and I would recommend it, especially if you want a brief insight into the civil rights movement from a different ethnic minority perspective. It really encouraged me to do more of my own research into the fights for civil rights in other communities, beyond what is taught in school.

[Erica Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great surprise. Like some other reviewers, I think I was expecting a lighter book than I got (mostly from the cover and a quick skim of the description.) However, it's not a light romance (I'd argue it's not really a romance at all!) and I really appreciated that it dives deeper into concerns of racism, colorism, assimilation, group identity, collective memory, grief, and police brutality. I liked Rosa and found her easy to root for, and appreciated that her narration does not shy away from the nitty-gritty of her experiences as a white-passing Mexican American in integration-era Phoenix, AZ.

This all said, I'm not sure ROSA BY ANY OTHER NAME needed to lean quite as far into the Shakespeare inspiration as it did, and that's bringing it down a bit for me. The names of the "star-crossed lover" characters (Julianne Callihan and Ramón Montoya) immediately call towards R&J, and Rosa(line) and even Marco (Mercutio?) and Tim (Tybalt?) are nods. These and even Verón (Mexican radio show host, nodding to Verona) were nice touches... but ultimately I don't feel that Julianne and Ramón's story had enough in common with Romeo & Juliet to justify such heavy-handed references. As far as I can tell, the resemblances between their stories are that they fall in love quickly, it leads to their untimely and tragic deaths, there is a scene set outside a 2nd floor window, and that the R&Js are from vastly different, and "warring," families/cultural groups. I think their story would have been stronger - or at least more grounded in the historical reality - outside of the constraints of the Shakespearean influence.

Other reviewers have mentioned not loving the writing style and I can see that, but it really worked for me. I even found the bite-size chapters to keep momentum going for me which doesn't usually happen to me with chapters of that length. I also thought the newspaper clippings, though of course edited, were really useful insights into what the rhetoric actually was at the time. All said, I'll highly recommend this one, but I probably won't present it as a Shakespeare retelling.

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Books for the eARC.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5
I received an ARC for my honest opinion

Wow, this book was so raw with emotions, powerful with its words and heart breaking, yet so beautiful. In this book you will meet Rosa, she is the protagonist and the narrator of her own story and the struggles that Mexican Americans have faced with segregation and racism in US history. In this book you will see how Alcaraz uses words that just flow and bring light to what it was living in 1955. You will find Rosa’s challenges she had to overcome, the insecurities (being lighter skin color than her family and friends), her fears, her dreams, and all the normal teenage girl feelings.

This book was one of the most beautifully written books that I have had the chance to read this year. I cried, I laughed, I cried more, and I cheered. I cannot express how real Alcaraz makes Rosa feel to me, I didn’t see her as being a fictional character, but someone really tells their story. I found the pace of the book to have been fast and perfect for every moment of the book. It’s not just the events that take place in this book that kept me reading, but the main character and the choices/actions that she would take, her questioning everything and wanting to understand why and then finding a way that would bring them all together and setting up something better for the future. You will find Rosa to be a smart, relatable teenager, she has a lot of courage and strength to handle the journey that she made, and I loved that you got to see the community as a whole (all the ugly and the good). She had great growth in the book and even the side characters you will see their growth throughout the book. I loved that Rosa could have handled everything differently, but she chose to educate everyone instead. I can’t really say too much more about this book and its plot because I will spoil it.

I do have to say being a half Spaniard and half Hispanic woman that I have dealt with my own share of things like in this book. I want to thank Alcaraz for taking her time to write this very raw book, I love that the feeling from this book at the end was YOUR VOICE MATTERS.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to review this book.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I received a free audiobook of this book for review.

This new young adult novel was powerful, engaging, and thought provoking. It is set in 1950s Arizona and follows a Mexican American girl who has been passing as white while attending a high school that will help her follow her dreams for college. When tragedy strikes she must decide what is most important to her. It has been pitched as West Side Story meets The Hate U Give and that felt very accurate to me.

The audiobook narration was extremely well done. She captured the softness of the main character who has lived her life quietly going under the radar as well as the huge range of other characters. The change in her voice or accent really helped depict the feel of each character and kept me fully immersed.

I am a historical fiction lover and I really appreciated how this book captured a piece of history that we don’t often see depicted in stories. Stories about the Civil Rights Era don’t usually come from this perspective or are set in this part of the country. I grew up one state over in New Mexico and really appreciated this perspective. There is a great author’s note at the end with additional information on the historical context. And huge props for including that in the audiobook because it’s always a bummer when that’s only included in the physical copy!

This story brought up so many different questions and things to contemplate. It didn’t attempt to answer those questions in a neat little package, but opens the way for personal reflection and discussion. I think it would make a great classroom read or bookclub discussion. I found the main character very relatable as she was not the type of activist that found it easy to speak up and be bold. She is used to not making waves and doesn’t like being the center of attention, but when things take a tragic turn she has to decide if she will keep collecting others words or if she is ready to speak up with her own words.

Trigger/content notes: racism, grief. A small amount of strong language and some racial slurs. Spice level is kissing.

[Marlee Bonnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌹🎤: Just, wow. Hailey’s writing is crystal clear, impactful, and beautiful. I learned so much about the craft just by reading this. And as an Arizonan, I learned so much about my state’s history during the era of school integration. I appreciate all the depictions of historical Phoenix landmarks and schools; it’s easy to see that Hailey put a lot of research into her writing. This story raised many considerations regarding the rights and treatment of POC in AZ (and America, at large) during the 1950’s (“it’s not all black and white, or brown” is a line that echoes with me). Rosa finds herself as a witness to unspeakable racial violence at the hands of someone in a huge position of power. That scene haunts me—felt like a punch to the gut just reading it. Rosa’s journey to finding and trusting her voice to make change is full of danger; she navigates relationships, her own soul, and all the dirtiness of politics along the way.

My takeaway is that what we all MUST do to make change is TRY. One way is to use our gifts to amplify our voices, and to do so even when it’s scary. We have no excuse not to. Each voice has power, but we must use our words, day by day, to change rhetoric and speak truth. As far as the characters go, Rosa is a heroine to root for, and I believe we can all identify with a piece of her journey. It was important for me to live her life, in particular, while I was in the pages. Marco’s entire arc was so powerful as we watch him evolve into a true partner for Rosa. He jumped off the page with palpable anger. And Tim (oh, our sweet Tim!) simply stole my heart.

Hailey’s sophomore novel is something I’ll often go back to and reflect on. This book is important, sadly relevant, and hopeful. Hopeful, above all. But hope is in vain without our voices, and Rosa is one powerful example of just this.