All sixteen-year-old Izzy Crawford wants is to feel like she really belongs somewhere. Her father, a marine, died in Iraq six years ago, and Izzy’s moved to a new town nearly every year since, far from the help of her extended family in North Carolina and Puerto Rico. ( )

I really enjoyed Wrecked, the author's previous book, so when I saw this on the shelf at the library, I had to have it.

This was a very different story, but I enjoyed it. The characters are very real and the issues and problems they face felt authentic and fresh. I particularly liked the way the main character, Izzy, curates her life at school and with her boyfriend so they don't see the truth about her poverty.

At the same time, I also appreciated the way Izzy's wild friend from the trailer across the way is wholly unapologetic about who she is and where she comes from. The contrast between the two makes for an interesting and volatile friendship dynamic.

Izzy's family also feels very real with the struggles to survive and thrive at the forefront of the story. The contrast between her mother and brother at home and her dead father's extended family in the south makes for another interesting contrast.

The relationship between Izzy and her new boyfriend grows organically and the way she pulls together the various groups of people she cares about into a supportive community is something we can all learn from. The backdrop of Habitat for Humanity and what goes into building these houses for those that need them most is particularly relevant. Especially given the housing crisis where I live right now.

I did feel like the boyfriend was perhaps a little too good to be true, but Izzy points this out herself. No one can possibly be that perfect. But maybe she just hasn't known him long enough to see his flaws. Or isn't looking for them..

But overall, I enjoyed this. I read the whole thing in a single afternoon which is generally a good sign that I like something. ( )

4.5 stars.

How to Build a Heart by Maria Padian is a poignant, humorous young adult novel of self discovery.

Sixteen year old Isabella "Izzy" Crawford, her Mami and younger brother Jack have moved from place to place ever since her beloved, larger than life father died in Iraq six years earlier. The family now lives in a mobile home park and she and Jack attend a private Catholic school. While she is best friends with neighbor Roz Jenkins, Izzy does not allow her two very disparate worlds to collide. Partly because Roz is extremely vocal about her opinions of her wealthy classmates. And partly because she does not want her wealthier school friends to know where she lives. But Izzy's unexpected friendship with fellow a capella singer Aubrey Shackelton puts her in an uncomfortable position as she keeps the truth about herself carefully hidden. Her life is further complicated when her family is selected for a new home by Habitat for Humanity. Putting in sweat equity is no problem, but putting her face and family story out into the world for all her friends to see? Not. A. Chance.

Izzy is a smart young woman who wants to please her mom but she is grappling with her sense of self. She is compassionate and caring, yet she runs from her problems instead of facing them head on. This tendency leads to a huge problem between her and Roz when Izzy hides something very important from her friend. When she can no longer keep the truth about herself from being revealed, Izzy runs to her father's family. Will she find the answers she is searching for within her estranged extended family?

Roz is a little wild and a lot resentful of her wealthier classmates. Her home life is incredibly dysfunctional and the Crawfords are a safe haven when things spiral out of control. Izzy is quick to defend Roz to Mami, who thinks she is not a good influence on her daughter. Will their friendship survive the changes occurring in Izzy's life?

How to Build a Heart is a heartwarming novel with a wonderful cast of diverse characters. Izzy undergoes a great deal of growth as she works to reconcile her conflicted feelings about herself, her family and her place in the world. Mami is a strict but strong role model for her children. There is also a slight romantic element to the storyline when Izzy's relationship with a friend takes an unexpected turn. Maria Padian brings this charming novel to heartfelt and uplifting conclusion. I highly recommend this enchanting young adult novel teen and adult readers. ( )

Fear isn't rational, at least most of the time. However, that doesn't stop many teens from letting it rule parts of their life. Izzy lost her bright-as-the-sun father, a marine, when his jeep ran over an IED in Iraq. That was six years ago and she, Mami and her younger brother, Jack have moved six times since he died, as her mother tries to find a job that pays enough for them to have a better life.
They've landed in a mobile home park in Virginia and Mami promised Izzy no more moves until she graduates in two years. Her best friend Roz, lives across the street. Her living situation is precarious as her mom drinks excessively and has a very unstable and violent boyfriend. Roz is a risk taker, Izzy is not, but their friendship works. Roz is obsessed with the rich kids who live on the other side of town, particularly a star basketball player named Sam. When Sam notices Izzy at a convenience store after her little brother runs into him on the way to pay for snacks, he looks at her in a way nobody ever has. Too bad he has a rich and popular girlfriend. What follows begins when Sam's little sister Aubrey transfers to the private catholic school where Izzy goes and tries out for the a capella group Izzy's in. There are more sparks, more not sharing what's happening, reconnection with a family member, hope for a better place to live and heartache that all blends together as Izzy realizes that family and sense of place can be much more than she ever could have imagined. It's a great story and one that many teens will find a connection to. Definitely worth adding to a library. ( )