Clap When You Land

When two sisters, one in the US and one in the Dominican Republic, learn of each other’s existence right after their father dies in a plane crash, they must navigate their grief while also discovering the secrets their father kept from each of them. A novel written in verse, “Clap When You Land,” uses strong figurative language to convey the emotional impact of the girls’ experiences, also allowing for readers to understand the conflict within each character as well as each girl’s unique situation and perspective. Suitable for senior secondary students, this book could be used as a choice for independent reading and in a literature circle related to immigration or social justice. Additionally, the themes of identity and immigration may invite class discussions, particularly in comparing the contrasting lives of the two girls based on where they live.