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The Broken Branches
A school project begins a journey for Sarafina Garcia that will change her life forever. In an attempt to gain a scholarship to a prestigious school, she is thrown headfirst into a labyrinth of family history that will confuse and deepen her search. Don't dig up old bones was the response Sarafina received from her mother when she asked for help. What was it in the family history that was so horrible that she wouldn't discuss it? Only by delving into historical records will she solve the lingering mystery of her parentage and mend the broken branches of her childhood one last time.
85 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 1, 2018
Tragically eloquent, The Broken Branches exposes the truth behind one family's struggle to hide a shameful secret.
For as long as Sarafina can remember, it’s always been her and her mama. She never thought to question it until she gets an opportunity to get a scholarship to a prestigious school. She must complete a genealogy project dealing with her family. She’s nervous because every time she asks her mama about her papa, she refuses to discuss it.
“Don’t dig up old bones,” is her mama’s response.
Sarafina decides to research it herself. The more she discovers about her family, the darker the tale becomes. Will her mama refute what she knows is the truth? When she confronts her mama, her world is turned upside down. Shocking family secrets are revealed and at the heart of it is her mama’s love. Will she return her love or will Sarafina turn her back on her mama’s shameful secret?
A beautiful story about family, faith and unconditional love. While I am used to reading genealogy in Becky Villareal’s books, this time, researching relatives unravels a dark family secret. I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say this is a powerful story every young woman needs to read. Heart wrenching, emotional story with strong female characters. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
For as long as Sarafina can remember, it’s always been her and her mama. She never thought to question it until she gets an opportunity to get a scholarship to a prestigious school. She must complete a genealogy project dealing with her family. She’s nervous because every time she asks her mama about her papa, she refuses to discuss it.
“Don’t dig up old bones,” is her mama’s response.
Sarafina decides to research it herself. The more she discovers about her family, the darker the tale becomes. Will her mama refute what she knows is the truth? When she confronts her mama, her world is turned upside down. Shocking family secrets are revealed and at the heart of it is her mama’s love. Will she return her love or will Sarafina turn her back on her mama’s shameful secret?
A beautiful story about family, faith and unconditional love. While I am used to reading genealogy in Becky Villareal’s books, this time, researching relatives unravels a dark family secret. I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say this is a powerful story every young woman needs to read. Heart wrenching, emotional story with strong female characters. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
October 30, 2018
A heart-wrenching story that is both tragic and touching.
Ms. Villareal is a master storyteller who weaves multicultural traditions and language effortlessly throughout this middle school realistic fiction. Even though I don’t live in Texas, where this story is based, I can relate to the authenticity of the Mexican American culture as I’ve experienced it in Southern California. I cried more than once because of the genuine feelings this short novel exposed in me. This is all about the tough female spirit and the harsh realities females in particular have endured throughout time and, most certainly, in our very own ancestries.
After reading this novel, I prayed that this “story” was completely made up from Villareal’s imagination. Yet, in my heart, I knew that similar true “stories” are told every day now through digital media. The relationships of the women in this book, Sarafina with her Mama, with her deceased Abuelita, and with her rediscovered friend Nicole and her ancestry, are what kept me reading even though I don’t usually like to be so emotionally raw.
I have also read Villareal’s Gianna the Great series. That series and The Broken Branches both feature young girl protagonists who live in Texas who use genealogy tools to find out more about their personal histories and the fathers they never knew. The Gianna trilogy, with its 3rd through 6th grade chapter books, resolves each book cleanly in a mystery adventure style. The Broken Branches lends itself to the middle school crowd, and explores truths uncovered in a genealogy search that sear lasting consequences on all involved.
Ms. Villareal is a master storyteller who weaves multicultural traditions and language effortlessly throughout this middle school realistic fiction. Even though I don’t live in Texas, where this story is based, I can relate to the authenticity of the Mexican American culture as I’ve experienced it in Southern California. I cried more than once because of the genuine feelings this short novel exposed in me. This is all about the tough female spirit and the harsh realities females in particular have endured throughout time and, most certainly, in our very own ancestries.
After reading this novel, I prayed that this “story” was completely made up from Villareal’s imagination. Yet, in my heart, I knew that similar true “stories” are told every day now through digital media. The relationships of the women in this book, Sarafina with her Mama, with her deceased Abuelita, and with her rediscovered friend Nicole and her ancestry, are what kept me reading even though I don’t usually like to be so emotionally raw.
I have also read Villareal’s Gianna the Great series. That series and The Broken Branches both feature young girl protagonists who live in Texas who use genealogy tools to find out more about their personal histories and the fathers they never knew. The Gianna trilogy, with its 3rd through 6th grade chapter books, resolves each book cleanly in a mystery adventure style. The Broken Branches lends itself to the middle school crowd, and explores truths uncovered in a genealogy search that sear lasting consequences on all involved.
November 1, 2018
A wonderful story of how a young girl, searching for her ancestral roots, comes to understand the meaning of family, love, and friendship. For Sarafina Garcia, an important school project will open up old wounds that her mother has worked to keep safely contained. As Sarafina digs to find the answers to her family history, she forms a bond with an old classmate who has a family secret of her own. Together they embark on a journey that will uncover what each of their parents had wanted to remain in the past.
At the heart, this is a coming of age story. One of painful pasts, present realizations in coming to terms with that past, and pressing forward towards a bright future in spite of the past. It shows how the bond between parent and child can grow ever closer despite painful events that loom over the relationship.
Definitely a good read for the more mature end of the YA demographic who enjoys heartwarming stories of true friendship and family, served up with a side of mystery. Highly recommend!
At the heart, this is a coming of age story. One of painful pasts, present realizations in coming to terms with that past, and pressing forward towards a bright future in spite of the past. It shows how the bond between parent and child can grow ever closer despite painful events that loom over the relationship.
Definitely a good read for the more mature end of the YA demographic who enjoys heartwarming stories of true friendship and family, served up with a side of mystery. Highly recommend!
November 12, 2018
This is a story of sorrow, pain, and love. And finding strength to stand tall and be strong.
Sarafina’s teacher gave the class a genealogy assignment. The class was to do a report where they were to research their family background and learn something new. Sarafina was told that her report should be added to her portfolio for submission to Towngate Magnet School. Adding this report to the portfolio would be a great addition and could help her be selected for admission.
Sarafina wanted to major in journalism in college and attendance at Towngate Magnet School would help with this goal. What she worried about was that her family was just her mother and herself since her grandmother died a few months ago. She did know that the Garcia family came from Chihuahua, Mexico, her grandfather worked on Rancho Verde, and some about her ancestors. But she wants to know about her father. When she asked her mother for something about her father she was told, “Your father is dead.” When she pushed for more her mother told her, “Don’t dig up old bones”
The more resistance Sarafina receives the more she wants answers. With the help of several people she learns how to research her family’s genealogy. She knew some about her grandparents and found out more through research. She learned many details: their date of birth, where they were born, where they lived in Mexico, when they visited America, and more. She finally learned about her father.
She learned even more. She learned that she was wrong, that her grandmother loved her. Her mother learned that some mistakes are not ours but that we are victims. Sarafina had to learn how to be emotionally strong; how to bend like the icy branch that regains its shape with the thaw.
I received this book to read and give an honest review.
Sarafina’s teacher gave the class a genealogy assignment. The class was to do a report where they were to research their family background and learn something new. Sarafina was told that her report should be added to her portfolio for submission to Towngate Magnet School. Adding this report to the portfolio would be a great addition and could help her be selected for admission.
Sarafina wanted to major in journalism in college and attendance at Towngate Magnet School would help with this goal. What she worried about was that her family was just her mother and herself since her grandmother died a few months ago. She did know that the Garcia family came from Chihuahua, Mexico, her grandfather worked on Rancho Verde, and some about her ancestors. But she wants to know about her father. When she asked her mother for something about her father she was told, “Your father is dead.” When she pushed for more her mother told her, “Don’t dig up old bones”
The more resistance Sarafina receives the more she wants answers. With the help of several people she learns how to research her family’s genealogy. She knew some about her grandparents and found out more through research. She learned many details: their date of birth, where they were born, where they lived in Mexico, when they visited America, and more. She finally learned about her father.
She learned even more. She learned that she was wrong, that her grandmother loved her. Her mother learned that some mistakes are not ours but that we are victims. Sarafina had to learn how to be emotionally strong; how to bend like the icy branch that regains its shape with the thaw.
I received this book to read and give an honest review.
November 6, 2018
Prompted by a school project, Sarafina sets out on a mission to discover the truth about her father. Her mother has never spoken of him and dodges her questions every time she asks. With the help of her friend Nicole and library resources, she's able to piece together her family's history. There's a reason why her mother has been so quiet and her grandmother never treated her like she cared.
Becky Villareal takes a sensitive topic and confronts it with both care and compassion. Can tragedy turn into a blessing? The story of these three strong women will answer that question.
Becky Villareal takes a sensitive topic and confronts it with both care and compassion. Can tragedy turn into a blessing? The story of these three strong women will answer that question.
July 2, 2024
Beautiful
A beautiful story about a young girl trying to find out about her father. The story flowed perfectly and the characters came to life. Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking it really touched me.
A beautiful story about a young girl trying to find out about her father. The story flowed perfectly and the characters came to life. Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking it really touched me.
November 22, 2018
In a short amount of pages, Villareal weaves together so much family history and relationships. The story provides a good look into the value of genealogy. A sweet novella with a surprising, tragic conclusion.
March 26, 2019
I quite enjoyed this book, but I would have liked a little bit more of a conversational background as well as general everyday life of Sarafina Garcia and her family life. Would have definitely benefited if it had been a longer book. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2018
In the book, The Broken Branches, Sarafina Garcia and her classmates have been given an assignment: trace their genealogy and then share some family’s stories with the class. While most of her classmates seem to know each and every member of their large families and can tell tales aplenty, Sarafina has only ever known two family members, Abuelita and Mamá. ...more
September 24, 2024
I’m not usually into genealogy things, but this really caught my eye. The book kept me hooked with every chapter and I flew through it. It has a warm kind of vibe and really made me feel comfortable while reading it. Which isn’t something I’ve found in a lot of books I read. The twist at the end was insane too. 10/10 book. I really recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews