It's All or Nothing, Vale

By: Andrea Beatriz Arango

Narrated by: Vico Ortiz

A poignant novel in verse in which, after a life-changing accident, one girl finds her way back to her life’s passion. From the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All.

A BOOKLIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

All these months of staring at the wall?
All these months of feeling weak?
It’s ending—
I’m going back to fencing.
And then it’ll be
like nothing ever happened.

No one knows hard work and dedication like Valentina Camacho. And Vale’s thing is fencing. She’s the top athlete at her fencing gym. Or she was . . . until the accident.

After months away, Vale is finally cleared to fence again, but it’s much harder than before. Her body doesn’t move the way it used to, and worst of all is the new number one: Myrka. When she sweeps Vale aside with her perfect form and easy smile, Vale just can’t accept that. But the harder Vale fights to catch up, the more she realizes her injury isn’t the only thing holding her back. If she can’t leave her accident in the past, then what does she have to look forward to?

In this moving novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All, one girl finds her way back to her life’s passion and discovers that the sum of a person's achievements doesn’t amount to the whole of them.

Critic reviews

★ "Moving and insightful." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "This novel promises to be the rapier to the heart the reader needs to take control of their own choices." —Booklist, starred review

★ "Arango’s fans will celebrate the opportunity to read another poignant story told in verse; it packs a punch, and is brimming with love and optimism." —School Library Journal, starred review

"[A] narrative that highlights chosen family and the integral part it plays in forming one’s sense of self." —Publishers Weekly

"[A] beautiful reminder that there’s more to life than being the best." —The Bulletin

"Arango’s accessible verse strikes at Vale’s emotional core as she considers her worth and identity in the face of her challenges....the depiction of a brown-skinned, queer girl in the world of fencing is noteworthy." —The Horn Book

Excellent

This is honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read. Vico Ortiz does a fantastic job narrating as well. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

Beautifully written.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. As someone who considered myself as an athlete and also suffered a life changing leg break, the verbiage the author used to describe the pain and sensations were beyond accurate. The way an injury can change your mindset should be talked about more. I felt a personal connection to this story as though it were my own. Perfectly written, perfectly voiced 5/5.

Loved it

I would definitely read it again it is so exciting and I love listening to it on audible! I like how the reader is adding tone and so I can feel like I’m almost having a conversation with her.