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The Weight of Everything
It’s been six months since Sarah’s mom died. Three months since her dad fell apart. Sarah has left her fine arts boarding school to take care of her dad and her little brother, and now she’s trying to hold everything together at home while adjusting to the local public high school.
With her dad’s drinking and spending getting out of control, Sarah struggles to make sure that the bills are paid, that her brother is fed and safe, that her dad’s grief won’t crush them all. She has no time for art, unless she’s cranking out a piece to sell online for some grocery money. And she definitely doesn’t have the time or the emotional energy to find out if her sweet, handsome classmate, David Garza, could be more than a friend.
But then a school project prompts Sarah to delve into her mom’s Mexican and Guatemalan roots. As she learns more about this side of her heritage, Sarah starts to understand her mom better―and starts to face her own grief. When she stumbles upon a long-buried piece of history that mattered deeply to her mom, Sarah realizes she can’t carry her pain silently anymore. She has to speak up, and she can’t do it alone.
With her dad’s drinking and spending getting out of control, Sarah struggles to make sure that the bills are paid, that her brother is fed and safe, that her dad’s grief won’t crush them all. She has no time for art, unless she’s cranking out a piece to sell online for some grocery money. And she definitely doesn’t have the time or the emotional energy to find out if her sweet, handsome classmate, David Garza, could be more than a friend.
But then a school project prompts Sarah to delve into her mom’s Mexican and Guatemalan roots. As she learns more about this side of her heritage, Sarah starts to understand her mom better―and starts to face her own grief. When she stumbles upon a long-buried piece of history that mattered deeply to her mom, Sarah realizes she can’t carry her pain silently anymore. She has to speak up, and she can’t do it alone.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 2, 2023
11 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Argueta Mickelson
7 books64 followersMarcia Mickelson was born in Guatemala and moved to the U.S. as an infant. She began writing her first novel her senior year of high school and finished it more than ten years later.
Marcia graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors Degree in American Studies. She is the author of YA novels The Huaca and Where I Belong.
She has also written 3 inspirational women's novels: Star Shining Brightly, Reasonable Doubt, and Pickup Games.
Marcia currently resides in Texas with her husband and three sons.
Marcia graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors Degree in American Studies. She is the author of YA novels The Huaca and Where I Belong.
She has also written 3 inspirational women's novels: Star Shining Brightly, Reasonable Doubt, and Pickup Games.
Marcia currently resides in Texas with her husband and three sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 22, 2023
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Victoria Villarreal
Content: 4.5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
Sarah’s mom died in a car accident. Because her father can’t face the death of his wife, his drinking gets out of control. Therefore, Sarah has to leave fine arts boarding school and enroll in a local school because she has to take care of her father and younger brother.
The Weight of Everything is a beautiful young adult novel that introduces some heavier themes (loss of a parent, alcoholism, mental health, depression). I especially liked Guatemalan history and art that is woven into this story. Narration by Victoria Villarreal is great. She made Sarah and her story come to life.
Thanks to Tantor Audio for the ALC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Content: 4.5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
Sarah’s mom died in a car accident. Because her father can’t face the death of his wife, his drinking gets out of control. Therefore, Sarah has to leave fine arts boarding school and enroll in a local school because she has to take care of her father and younger brother.
The Weight of Everything is a beautiful young adult novel that introduces some heavier themes (loss of a parent, alcoholism, mental health, depression). I especially liked Guatemalan history and art that is woven into this story. Narration by Victoria Villarreal is great. She made Sarah and her story come to life.
Thanks to Tantor Audio for the ALC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
June 2, 2023
DNF. Almost immediately said something negative about the Braves baseball team. (About them losing a game) Sorry, in this household we’re fans & I had to stop listening to that negativity. 😂🤷🏻♀️
July 9, 2023
A beautiful, heart-rending novel.
Sarah feels that the weight of the world is on her shoulders. Since her mom died, she’s become the sole caretaker of not only her little brother, but also their father, who’s sunken into an alcohol-infused depression. What with her schoolwork, art classes, and having an Etsy account to try to bring in some money, Sarah doesn’t feel strong enough to handle anything else. Not even a relationship with the cutest, sweetest guy on the planet…
The author made each character into someone the reader could really care about. Even Sarah’s dad with his alcoholism could produce a twingle of sympathy; he could not handle his grief over the death of his wife, so he just shut down.
The information about the Guatemalan coup of 1954 was startling to read about. I am a history buff, but am ashamed that I had never known of it before. It was never taught in any history class I ever took. Like the Japanese internment camps of the ‘40s, this action was a blot upon the record of the American government that was largely covered up until recent facts were revealed.
Sarah feels that the weight of the world is on her shoulders. Since her mom died, she’s become the sole caretaker of not only her little brother, but also their father, who’s sunken into an alcohol-infused depression. What with her schoolwork, art classes, and having an Etsy account to try to bring in some money, Sarah doesn’t feel strong enough to handle anything else. Not even a relationship with the cutest, sweetest guy on the planet…
The author made each character into someone the reader could really care about. Even Sarah’s dad with his alcoholism could produce a twingle of sympathy; he could not handle his grief over the death of his wife, so he just shut down.
The information about the Guatemalan coup of 1954 was startling to read about. I am a history buff, but am ashamed that I had never known of it before. It was never taught in any history class I ever took. Like the Japanese internment camps of the ‘40s, this action was a blot upon the record of the American government that was largely covered up until recent facts were revealed.
January 23, 2023
“Maybe someday I’ll see it differently, see it as a mistake, but for now, I have to be here in this house making sure that the two out there eating pizza stay alive and safe.”
I was gifted The Weight of Everything by Marcia Argueta Mickelson for Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2023. This young-adult novel is published by Lerner Publishing Group.
17-year-old Sarah’s mother dies unexpectedly, so Sarah assumes running the household. She parents her younger brother Steven while their father succumbs to his grief. Sarah juggles paying the bills, attending a new school, and dealing with her own grief. She begins to learn more about her Guatemalan heritage and connecting with her mother’s passions in a new way.
This is both a heartbreaking and an uplifting novel that blends the reality of a struggling teenager who has lost a parent, as well as themes of advocacy. The histories shared about Guatemala and the US (plus the involvement of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera) are framed in an easy to understand way for readers of YA who vary in their familiarity with injustice, especially as it relates to US involvement in foreign countries. Highly recommend! To be published: Spring 2023!
I was gifted The Weight of Everything by Marcia Argueta Mickelson for Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2023. This young-adult novel is published by Lerner Publishing Group.
17-year-old Sarah’s mother dies unexpectedly, so Sarah assumes running the household. She parents her younger brother Steven while their father succumbs to his grief. Sarah juggles paying the bills, attending a new school, and dealing with her own grief. She begins to learn more about her Guatemalan heritage and connecting with her mother’s passions in a new way.
This is both a heartbreaking and an uplifting novel that blends the reality of a struggling teenager who has lost a parent, as well as themes of advocacy. The histories shared about Guatemala and the US (plus the involvement of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera) are framed in an easy to understand way for readers of YA who vary in their familiarity with injustice, especially as it relates to US involvement in foreign countries. Highly recommend! To be published: Spring 2023!
April 23, 2023
I enjoyed this! This is a heavy book that delves into grief, addiction, parentification of children, and U.S. imperialism. This is an emotional book that will have you feeling Sarah’s stress as she tries to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. It also delves into history between the US and the Guatemalan Civil War, teaching the readers about it as Sarah connects with her mother through her research.
Full review here
Full review here
May 1, 2023
AUDIOBOOK⠀
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"There is nothing to do about the rain but to enjoy it. To let the eager drops soak every inch of my body. There are too many things in the world that bother me, worry me, make me afraid. Rain is not going to be one of them."⠀
⠀
Marcia Argueta Mickelson, The Weight of Everything ⠀
⠀
⠀
The Weight of Everything by Marcia Argueta Mickelson is such a haunting yet beautiful story! Following the tragic death of her vibrant mother, Sarah leaves her art school behind to help her grieving dad and autistic brother find their way forward. This story explores grief, addiction, and shame in such an honest way that I felt like I was there beside Sarah in her mind. She is trying so hard to move forward and make the happy kind of memories that her mom was known for, but she keeps feeling pulled back by the past and it's pain. As she begins to explore the horrors of the Guatemalan coup that directly affected her family, she finds a strength and belonging with her culture and her own desire for the wrongs of the world to be righted. This book is a riveting and emotional story that displays the power of family, friends, forgiveness, art, and history.⠀
⠀
"There is nothing to do about the rain but to enjoy it. To let the eager drops soak every inch of my body. There are too many things in the world that bother me, worry me, make me afraid. Rain is not going to be one of them."⠀
⠀
Marcia Argueta Mickelson, The Weight of Everything ⠀
⠀
⠀
The Weight of Everything by Marcia Argueta Mickelson is such a haunting yet beautiful story! Following the tragic death of her vibrant mother, Sarah leaves her art school behind to help her grieving dad and autistic brother find their way forward. This story explores grief, addiction, and shame in such an honest way that I felt like I was there beside Sarah in her mind. She is trying so hard to move forward and make the happy kind of memories that her mom was known for, but she keeps feeling pulled back by the past and it's pain. As she begins to explore the horrors of the Guatemalan coup that directly affected her family, she finds a strength and belonging with her culture and her own desire for the wrongs of the world to be righted. This book is a riveting and emotional story that displays the power of family, friends, forgiveness, art, and history.⠀
April 21, 2023
Thank you Net Galley for an audio ARC of The Weight Of Everything by Marcia Arguela Mickelson. This is a gem of a novel. Love, love, love! Sarah's Mom died, and her world disintegrates with only herself to rely on.
May 29, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the audio version of this book. I am in no way affiliated with or associated with the publisher. I am not compensated for my review in any way. Everything I write is my own personal opinion, thoughts, and feelings.
I loved listening to this book the narrator did an amazing job.
The book touches on some sensitive topics but doesn't go to deep into the topic. They include-- death of a parent. alcoholism, high schooler helping/stepping up to care for a younger sibling, I may be missing a few but those are the bigger ones.
The author writes beautifully and the story is well written. It picks up six months after the mothers death. it explains how life has changed sor Sarah to the point where she feels she has to be the mother/adult in the home because the dad has taken to drinking to cover his pain. Sarah has to stop going to a private school and she now attends public school. At school she meets a boy and she is smitten with him. as she gets to know him she tells him to stay away that she cant handle a relationship. He tells her not to worry about it he wants to help her.
while this is happening she has a school project due. she decides to do a project her mother had started.
that is all I want to say, trust me when I say you WANT to read/listen to this book. I binged it in 4 hours that's how amazing the story is.
I loved listening to this book the narrator did an amazing job.
The book touches on some sensitive topics but doesn't go to deep into the topic. They include-- death of a parent. alcoholism, high schooler helping/stepping up to care for a younger sibling, I may be missing a few but those are the bigger ones.
The author writes beautifully and the story is well written. It picks up six months after the mothers death. it explains how life has changed sor Sarah to the point where she feels she has to be the mother/adult in the home because the dad has taken to drinking to cover his pain. Sarah has to stop going to a private school and she now attends public school. At school she meets a boy and she is smitten with him. as she gets to know him she tells him to stay away that she cant handle a relationship. He tells her not to worry about it he wants to help her.
while this is happening she has a school project due. she decides to do a project her mother had started.
that is all I want to say, trust me when I say you WANT to read/listen to this book. I binged it in 4 hours that's how amazing the story is.
May 29, 2023
8th grade Barbie would have enjoyed this book. Interesting history of Guatemala shared. Lots of heartache with the family with the high school narrator having to assume adult roles after her mother dies.
March 14, 2023
In The Weight of Everything by Marcia Argueta Mickelson we meet our protagonist, Sarah, and her little brother, Steven, six months after their mother passes away in a car accident. Their father is so deep in his grief that he cannot care for himself and most certainly cannot care for his children. Sarah steps up into a parental role she shouldn't have to navigate. She's trying to figure out how to hold on to her dreams of being an artist while also ensuring her brother's safety and well-being.
There's a romance that develops between her and her friend David and she worries that if she lets herself fall for him she'll regret it. Sarah's Dad spends most of his time either sleeping or drinking and avoiding his children so as not to think about how much emotional pain he's in. He has a best friend whose role is crucial to his eventually starting to heal.
Art is Sarah's passion and when her art teacher assigns an end of semester project she decides to make some sketches based on old photos of her great grandfather who left Guatemala in 1954 during the CIA coup against the Guatemalan president. She uses her art project to honor her mother's memory in a special way. David is by her side through it all which is the most romantic part of the story.
It takes another accident that places Steven at risk to get Dad to finally accept the help he needs. The ending of the story is also a beautiful new beginning for everyone.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!
There's a romance that develops between her and her friend David and she worries that if she lets herself fall for him she'll regret it. Sarah's Dad spends most of his time either sleeping or drinking and avoiding his children so as not to think about how much emotional pain he's in. He has a best friend whose role is crucial to his eventually starting to heal.
Art is Sarah's passion and when her art teacher assigns an end of semester project she decides to make some sketches based on old photos of her great grandfather who left Guatemala in 1954 during the CIA coup against the Guatemalan president. She uses her art project to honor her mother's memory in a special way. David is by her side through it all which is the most romantic part of the story.
It takes another accident that places Steven at risk to get Dad to finally accept the help he needs. The ending of the story is also a beautiful new beginning for everyone.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!
May 21, 2023
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall, The Weight of Everything is a powerful and uplifting novel that tackles heavy topics with sensitivity and grace. The author captures the stress and depression that can accompany grief, but also shows how finding a connection to one's heritage can help with healing. The ending is a beautiful new beginning for everyone involved, and readers will find themselves rooting for Sarah and her family throughout the novel.
4.9/5
Full review here: https://whatimreading6.wordpress.com/...
Overall, The Weight of Everything is a powerful and uplifting novel that tackles heavy topics with sensitivity and grace. The author captures the stress and depression that can accompany grief, but also shows how finding a connection to one's heritage can help with healing. The ending is a beautiful new beginning for everyone involved, and readers will find themselves rooting for Sarah and her family throughout the novel.
4.9/5
Full review here: https://whatimreading6.wordpress.com/...
May 4, 2024
DNF at 30% Too much telling, not enough showing. The author tries too hard to make dialogue sound natural, but instead it feels ham-fisted and tedious. I had strong hopes for this book, but it just didn’t do it for me.
May 7, 2023
3.5/5 🌟🇬🇹💖
The Weight of Everything is a short YA novel about healing, friendship, and finding empowerment in your heritage. I recieved a free E-ARC from Net Gallery in exchange for my full, honest review, and wow, I am so grateful.
Sarah is such an honest main character. She is honest with herself and knows when it is safe to be honest with others. I loved reading about her journey in her own grief from her mother’s death to becoming a responsible role model in her home. Steven was so funny and enjoyable in each scene he was represented!
I love a good romance subplot and when this one was VERY rushed, it was well done for the overall plot of the story to come about. I can see how David and Sarah were good friends before they even had initiated any romanctic feelings between themselves. I appreciated that!
I think it’s quite obvious (even in regard to what happens in the story) that the typical American has never heard about the events that took place between the US Administration and Guatemala, but now that I was well-informed, if only briefly, I am interested to look more into this!
Pinterest Board for ✨inspiration✨
https://pin.it/4RMmfFG
The Weight of Everything is a short YA novel about healing, friendship, and finding empowerment in your heritage. I recieved a free E-ARC from Net Gallery in exchange for my full, honest review, and wow, I am so grateful.
Sarah is such an honest main character. She is honest with herself and knows when it is safe to be honest with others. I loved reading about her journey in her own grief from her mother’s death to becoming a responsible role model in her home. Steven was so funny and enjoyable in each scene he was represented!
I love a good romance subplot and when this one was VERY rushed, it was well done for the overall plot of the story to come about. I can see how David and Sarah were good friends before they even had initiated any romanctic feelings between themselves. I appreciated that!
I think it’s quite obvious (even in regard to what happens in the story) that the typical American has never heard about the events that took place between the US Administration and Guatemala, but now that I was well-informed, if only briefly, I am interested to look more into this!
Pinterest Board for ✨inspiration✨
https://pin.it/4RMmfFG
May 2, 2023
This was a heartbreakingly beautiful YA story that tackled some heavy topics! Sarah is forced to return home from boarding school suddenly when her father falls apart in his grief following her mother's death. With her father struggling with depression and alcoholism, it's left to Sarah to care for her younger brother and pay the household bills.
Just when Sarah starts to think she might be able to entertain a new romance with a sweet boy things get worse at home causing her to choose family over love. Her one solace is researching her mother's Guatemalan and Mexican history and finding a cause to fight for.
Great on audio but definitely a book that could be triggering for readers dealing with similar issues. I really enjoyed this one and appreciated the ALC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review!
TW: death of a parent, alcoholism, grief, depression
Just when Sarah starts to think she might be able to entertain a new romance with a sweet boy things get worse at home causing her to choose family over love. Her one solace is researching her mother's Guatemalan and Mexican history and finding a cause to fight for.
Great on audio but definitely a book that could be triggering for readers dealing with similar issues. I really enjoyed this one and appreciated the ALC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review!
TW: death of a parent, alcoholism, grief, depression
May 10, 2023
In The Weight of Everything by Marcia Argueta Mickelson, I read about Sarah, a teenage girl who is trying to cope with her mom's death while taking care of her little brother and her father who is struggling with his own grief. Sarah left her fine arts boarding school to attend the local public high school and be there for her family.
I felt for Sarah as she tried to juggle her responsibilities and hold everything together while still dealing with her own grief. Her dad's drinking and spending put them in financial trouble, making it harder for her to make ends meet. She barely had time for her passion of art, and she definitely didn't have time to explore her feelings for her classmate David Garza.
As she worked on a school project exploring her mom's Mexican and Guatemalan roots, Sarah discovered a side of her heritage that helped her better understand her mom and face her own grief. When she uncovered a piece of history that was deeply meaningful to her mom, Sarah realized that she couldn't keep her pain bottled up anymore.
The story is heartwarming, and I loved how Sarah discovered that even when her mom couldn't be there for her, there were still signs of her love and dedication to help her daughter's dreams come true. This book is a lovely read and beautifully depicts the dedication and commitment of a family.
I felt for Sarah as she tried to juggle her responsibilities and hold everything together while still dealing with her own grief. Her dad's drinking and spending put them in financial trouble, making it harder for her to make ends meet. She barely had time for her passion of art, and she definitely didn't have time to explore her feelings for her classmate David Garza.
As she worked on a school project exploring her mom's Mexican and Guatemalan roots, Sarah discovered a side of her heritage that helped her better understand her mom and face her own grief. When she uncovered a piece of history that was deeply meaningful to her mom, Sarah realized that she couldn't keep her pain bottled up anymore.
The story is heartwarming, and I loved how Sarah discovered that even when her mom couldn't be there for her, there were still signs of her love and dedication to help her daughter's dreams come true. This book is a lovely read and beautifully depicts the dedication and commitment of a family.
November 30, 2024
Books like this make you feel like you should be speechless but because of how much thought and emotion that is expressed through the story, you simply can’t. Sarah’s story speaks to that raw grief that can disrupt everything around you, all the while it shows you how reconnecting with what was taken away can inspire new hope and life. I loved this story so much. I was surprised with how simply the story wraps up despite all of the things weighing Sarah down. Ending with a calm, attentive and emotional resolution is the only way that this story could have landed in my heart, and I am so thankful that it did.
February 29, 2024
There is nothing better than becoming emotionally invested in a character's journey while learning about the history of my mother's homeland along the way. A poignant and important read!
February 8, 2024
It feel short in making me care about the characters, and there was a bit too much of an agenda.
May 11, 2023
This one really shows how heavy the weight of carrying grief can be.
Sarah is carrying the weight of her mother's death and having to carry the weight of the family too.
It's a hard time for the family. Their dad has checked out and everything falls on Sarah.
It's hard for her to try to do everything and becomes harder as she falls in love for the first time.
I thought this was a good book showcasing family and friendships and grief.
A good YA read.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Sarah is carrying the weight of her mother's death and having to carry the weight of the family too.
It's a hard time for the family. Their dad has checked out and everything falls on Sarah.
It's hard for her to try to do everything and becomes harder as she falls in love for the first time.
I thought this was a good book showcasing family and friendships and grief.
A good YA read.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
April 16, 2023
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.
This book was absolutely amazing. It is an emotional book that will have you crying ugly tears. I was so deeply invested in the characters Sarah and Steven. Poor Sarah had the weight of the world in her shoulders trying to manage everything behind her father succumbed to his grief. I wanted to strangle that father. His is supposed to be the adult. All he did was drink, sleep and wallow in his grief and left his children to take care of themselves
I felt no compassion for him. What would poor Steven have done without big sister Sarah. Am so pleased with the ending, but I still dislike that father!
Recommend.
This book was absolutely amazing. It is an emotional book that will have you crying ugly tears. I was so deeply invested in the characters Sarah and Steven. Poor Sarah had the weight of the world in her shoulders trying to manage everything behind her father succumbed to his grief. I wanted to strangle that father. His is supposed to be the adult. All he did was drink, sleep and wallow in his grief and left his children to take care of themselves
I felt no compassion for him. What would poor Steven have done without big sister Sarah. Am so pleased with the ending, but I still dislike that father!
Recommend.
May 24, 2023
When Sarah's mother died, her father fell into such a deep well of grief that he lost his job, took to drink, and has basically checked out of the lives of his 16 year old daughter and his 8 year old son. So Sarah had to leave her boarding school for the arts and return home to take care of Stephen and her father. It's a heavy lift, not only emotionally, but practically and financially--she started an Etsy shop, drawing portraits, to get money for gas and groceries. Her father has been dipping into his retirement accounts to buy booze, and Sarah has to dip into her college fund to pay the household bills. It's not great circumstances under which to start a new school, to say the least, but at least things at school are not all bad. Sarah encounters David, an athlete planning to be a PE teacher, who actually puts up with Stephen's obsession with stats at football games, and seems to want a closer relationship with Sarah. He's immensely kind, but Sarah has so much on her plate she can't afford to be a regular teen--every time she lets her guard down, a catastrophe occurs. Plus, she still desperately misses her mother, and she's only just starting to understand her mother's family background, which is connected to Guatemala. With the weight of everything she's carrying, there's no time for romance, right?
This has lots of layers, and you immediately feel for Sarah as she holds the family up, making sure her little brother is taken care of, and trying to cope with the man who used to be her father. The mother's family backstory looms larger in the second half of the book, as Sarah learns more about her and about the sordid history of the US in Guatemala. David is almost too perfect to be real, which I actually didn't hate--it was nice that there was one thing in Sarah's life that wasn't an utter disaster. She also has good friends who support her. I thought the ending was realistic; definitely not perfect, but the trajectory was there. Not that Sarah will ever be able to forget that his grief was more important to her father than his children were. I doubt she'll ever forget that. Lots of world-building with Sarah's art, which stood out as a strong part of the book. Overall, a really engaging read (even if I didn't like the voice the narrator used for Stephen). Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
This has lots of layers, and you immediately feel for Sarah as she holds the family up, making sure her little brother is taken care of, and trying to cope with the man who used to be her father. The mother's family backstory looms larger in the second half of the book, as Sarah learns more about her and about the sordid history of the US in Guatemala. David is almost too perfect to be real, which I actually didn't hate--it was nice that there was one thing in Sarah's life that wasn't an utter disaster. She also has good friends who support her. I thought the ending was realistic; definitely not perfect, but the trajectory was there. Not that Sarah will ever be able to forget that his grief was more important to her father than his children were. I doubt she'll ever forget that. Lots of world-building with Sarah's art, which stood out as a strong part of the book. Overall, a really engaging read (even if I didn't like the voice the narrator used for Stephen). Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2024
Not gonna lie, I struggled with THE WEIGHT OF EVERYTHING for multiple reasons. I think my biggest beef is that the book just didn't seem to know what it wanted to be. A romance? An issue novel? A family drama? It was all three, yes, but the romance seemed to be the story's main focal point, which is unfortunate because the love story is so lackluster. Easy insta-love doesn't engage me. Plus, I felt no sparks between Sarah and David (in fact, his sudden declarations of love felt kind of weird and stalkery instead of sweet). I also got irritated with her for running so hot and cold all the time. There didn't seem to be any real reason for that since David proved over and over that he would be there for her no matter what. The family crisis (grief, parentification, depression, alcoholism, etc.) is the story's main conflict, but there's no real plot there. Sarah's discovery of her mother's passion for fighting for justice for Guatemala is, to me anyway, the most unique and intriguing part of the tale. It only comes up in the last 100 pages of the book, though, when, in my opinion, it probably should have been one of the main threads all along. That would have made the book more impactful for me as well as helping it to feel more focused and even. As is, the tale just feels really here, there, and everywhere with no real plot or point. Frankly, I got really bored with it really quickly. Even though the book is only 227 pages long, it felt much longer to me. Add in choppy, generic writing and yeah, THE WEIGHT OF EVERYTHING just did not work very well for me, I'm sorry to say.
If I could, I would give this book 2 1/2 stars. Since I can't, I'm rounding up.
If I could, I would give this book 2 1/2 stars. Since I can't, I'm rounding up.
June 12, 2023
The Weight of Everything is everything a YA novel should be: authentic, affecting, and thought-provoking. Sarah Mosley is shouldering far more than any 17-year-old should be: grieving her devoted mom’s sudden death, frenetically compensating for her dad’s rapid descent into depression-fueled alcoholism, keeping up with her college-prep schoolwork, and keeping her very gifted but very vulnerable third-grade brother Steven out of harm’s way. Something’s gotta give, and the first to go is doing something about her strong mutual attraction to David Garza, an exceptionally empathetic fellow student who, like Sarah, aspires to teach someday. Shut out again and again from mitigating the increasingly life-threatening events in Sarah’s household despite his best efforts to help out, David nonetheless is patient and loyal in his love for Sarah, and captivated, too, by her zeal for a new school art project she is putting together to honor the memory of her mom’s embattled Guatemalan heritage while carrying on the woman’s activism to repair a wrong in American foreign relations history. I make special note of the blessed fact that Ms. Mickelson’s underlying love story of Sarah and David is PG-rated throughout, both sexually and language-wise, proving that intense teenage feelings need not include physical consummation to ring true and affect mightily. Brava to Ms. Mickelson for introducing us to such a brave, enterprising, imperfect, well-rounded, and committed young hero and heroine!
February 25, 2025
In The Weight of Everything by Marcia Argueta Mickelson, I read about Sarah, a teenage girl who is trying to cope with her mom's death while taking care of her little brother and her father who is struggling with his own grief. Sarah left her fine arts boarding school to attend the local public high school and be there for her family.
I felt for Sarah as she tried to juggle her responsibilities and hold everything together while still dealing with her own grief. Her dad's drinking and spending put them in financial trouble, making it harder for her to make ends meet. She barely had time for her passion of art, and she definitely didn't have time to explore her feelings for her classmate David Garza.
As she worked on a school project exploring her mom's Mexican and Guatemalan roots, Sarah discovered a side of her heritage that helped her better understand her mom and face her own grief. When she uncovered a piece of history that was deeply meaningful to her mom, Sarah realized that she couldn't keep her pain bottled up anymore.
The story is heartwarming, and I loved how Sarah discovered that even when her mom couldn't be there for her, there were still signs of her love and dedication to help her daughter's dreams come true. This book is a lovely read and beautifully depicts the dedication and commitment of a family.
I felt for Sarah as she tried to juggle her responsibilities and hold everything together while still dealing with her own grief. Her dad's drinking and spending put them in financial trouble, making it harder for her to make ends meet. She barely had time for her passion of art, and she definitely didn't have time to explore her feelings for her classmate David Garza.
As she worked on a school project exploring her mom's Mexican and Guatemalan roots, Sarah discovered a side of her heritage that helped her better understand her mom and face her own grief. When she uncovered a piece of history that was deeply meaningful to her mom, Sarah realized that she couldn't keep her pain bottled up anymore.
The story is heartwarming, and I loved how Sarah discovered that even when her mom couldn't be there for her, there were still signs of her love and dedication to help her daughter's dreams come true. This book is a lovely read and beautifully depicts the dedication and commitment of a family.
May 14, 2023
After Sarah’s mom died, her dad fell apart, and Sarah had to move back home from her boarding school to take care of her little brother. Sarah is trying to balance going to the local public school, caring for 8-year-old-Steven, keeping the house running, making art to sell for grocery money, and keeping an eye on her dad’s drinking and grief. The last thing she has time for is a potential relationship with her cute and sweet new classmate, David Garza. When a school project leads Sarah to learn about her mom’s Guatemalan and Mexican roots, she begins to understand her mom better and the need to use her art to speak up about important things. She can’t do it alone, so Sarah will need the strength to let people in.
The Weight of Everything deals with some heavy topics and handles them well. The characters are all three-dimensional and realistic, and Mickelson did a beautiful job bringing the story to life, as did Victoria Villarreal with the audiobook. I liked that we got to learn about the Guatemalen Civil War and the U.S.’s part in it through this book, as well as some art history. I recommend this YA book to readers of all ages.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.
The Weight of Everything deals with some heavy topics and handles them well. The characters are all three-dimensional and realistic, and Mickelson did a beautiful job bringing the story to life, as did Victoria Villarreal with the audiobook. I liked that we got to learn about the Guatemalen Civil War and the U.S.’s part in it through this book, as well as some art history. I recommend this YA book to readers of all ages.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.
May 24, 2023
Both heartbreaking and uplifting, this is the story of a young girl who has lost her mother and has to carry the weight of this loss on her shoulders and soul, both literally and metaphorically. Her father is a mess; her brother, only 8, is living as if mom were still here, too young to truly understand the depths of depression that is affecting their father. She has become the parent to her father; the parent to her brother, while not truly being able to move through her grief of losing her mother.
There were some unanswered questions for me (I won't post because it would be "spoiling" the story, however, I truly enjoyed the book. Sarah pours her grief into continuing her mother's advocacy for her side of her heritage and the horrors her great-grandfather goes through during the 1954 coup in Guatemala. She expresses her fight through her art passion project, taking it so far as to risk being suspended for promoting a petition her mother had started before her death. The love story between Sarah and David was sweet, without overshadowing the struggles Sarah goes through. I really liked the historical aspect of the story, learning about a war that is never taught in schools and should be.
There were some unanswered questions for me (I won't post because it would be "spoiling" the story, however, I truly enjoyed the book. Sarah pours her grief into continuing her mother's advocacy for her side of her heritage and the horrors her great-grandfather goes through during the 1954 coup in Guatemala. She expresses her fight through her art passion project, taking it so far as to risk being suspended for promoting a petition her mother had started before her death. The love story between Sarah and David was sweet, without overshadowing the struggles Sarah goes through. I really liked the historical aspect of the story, learning about a war that is never taught in schools and should be.
June 5, 2023
Sarah’s mom died six months ago. Sarah has to leave the fine arts school she was attending three months ago. She needs to take care of her dad and little brother. Sarah will attend public school. When her dad’s spending gets out of control and his drinking, she must find a way to make money to make sure that her little brother is fed and safe. When a boy at school is interested in her, she thinks there is no way she can a relationship as she has no time. When a school project is assigned, Sarah’s decision is to base an art project on her family’s personal connection to her mother’s favorite Diego Rivera painting. I don’t want to tell more about the story as I don’t want to spoil it for you.
The author has written a thoughtful story about loss, cultural diversity and first love. The story shows the pivotal role the older children can take. It is an excellent book to read and discuss with children.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The author has written a thoughtful story about loss, cultural diversity and first love. The story shows the pivotal role the older children can take. It is an excellent book to read and discuss with children.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
April 21, 2023
The Weight of Everything is a Netgalley audio book with the tags Multicultural Interest | Romance | Teens & YA. Normally those tags would have made me swipe left, however, I have a goal to finish 100 Netgalley reviews by the end of April so I'm literally requesting all I see on the audio side.
Thank goodness that goals sometimes work out even better than anticipated. I loved this book. Marcia Argueta Mickelson is an unknown author to me, and I was pleasantly surprised by the journey in this book. The death of a mom..... the formerly active, employed father turns to alcohol..... the talented art student daughter still in high school rises to the challenge of caring for her family including a young brother with challenges...... To me classifying it as a YA novel might mean a bunch of adults ignore this book. It felt bigger than a young adult novel. The sadness of loss kept my attention. The intrigue of an art project tying in Mexican and Guatemalan roots was a nice addition.
This one releases May 2, 2023 and I encourage you to swipe right.
Thank goodness that goals sometimes work out even better than anticipated. I loved this book. Marcia Argueta Mickelson is an unknown author to me, and I was pleasantly surprised by the journey in this book. The death of a mom..... the formerly active, employed father turns to alcohol..... the talented art student daughter still in high school rises to the challenge of caring for her family including a young brother with challenges...... To me classifying it as a YA novel might mean a bunch of adults ignore this book. It felt bigger than a young adult novel. The sadness of loss kept my attention. The intrigue of an art project tying in Mexican and Guatemalan roots was a nice addition.
This one releases May 2, 2023 and I encourage you to swipe right.
April 28, 2023
The Weight of Everything
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher of this book for providing this eARC.
The main character in this story is a female teen, working through her grief and determining how to move on after losing her mom.
Due to the immaturity of her father, who is drowning in his own grief rather than letting his children experience their feelings of loss, this girl is forced to deal with the added burden of running the household, and being the sole caretaker for herself, her brother AND her father, as she, at least temporarily, loses both parents.
Along the way, she falls in love, and discovers new knowledge about her about her Mom, and her family history.
She also discovers that even when her Mom can no longer be there for her, there are signs of her love and her dedication to helping her daughter's dreams come true.
A well-written and entertaining read, and in a way, a timely story for Mother's day, reflecting familial dedication and commitment.
Until next time...
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher of this book for providing this eARC.
The main character in this story is a female teen, working through her grief and determining how to move on after losing her mom.
Due to the immaturity of her father, who is drowning in his own grief rather than letting his children experience their feelings of loss, this girl is forced to deal with the added burden of running the household, and being the sole caretaker for herself, her brother AND her father, as she, at least temporarily, loses both parents.
Along the way, she falls in love, and discovers new knowledge about her about her Mom, and her family history.
She also discovers that even when her Mom can no longer be there for her, there are signs of her love and her dedication to helping her daughter's dreams come true.
A well-written and entertaining read, and in a way, a timely story for Mother's day, reflecting familial dedication and commitment.
Until next time...
May 3, 2023
This compelling novel tells the story of a teen girl holding her family together after her mother's death, while experiencing a political awakening about the U.S. government’s political meddling in 1950s Guatemala. Set in modern-day Texas, we are instantly drawn into Sarah’s world as she struggles as her family’s caretaker and laments being pulled out of her beloved arts school.
As the novel unfolds, she finds a way forward through exploring the art that her mother cherished and experiencing first love with a kind boy who makes a special connection with Sarah’s little brother. She also explores her Guatemalan identify and finds a cause close to her heart. The political backstory of U.S. intervention in Guatemala’s democracy is so interesting and a part of history that’s been overlooked by our history books. This incident inspires Sarah’s art and activism.
The story has great characters and pacing, and kept my interest throughout. A terrific read for teens and adults alike! I would also recommend the author's other young adult novel, the award-winning Where I Belong.
As the novel unfolds, she finds a way forward through exploring the art that her mother cherished and experiencing first love with a kind boy who makes a special connection with Sarah’s little brother. She also explores her Guatemalan identify and finds a cause close to her heart. The political backstory of U.S. intervention in Guatemala’s democracy is so interesting and a part of history that’s been overlooked by our history books. This incident inspires Sarah’s art and activism.
The story has great characters and pacing, and kept my interest throughout. A terrific read for teens and adults alike! I would also recommend the author's other young adult novel, the award-winning Where I Belong.
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