Leonardo is a Venezuelan engineer living in Florida, good at solving problems — so good his company is throwing him an event in his honor. But the problems waiting for him at home are a different kind entirely.
Gustavo was a doctor in Venezuela. Prominent, respected, living a good life — until the accident that took his wife and younger son. Unable to bear the loss, he leaves everything behind and starts over in Florida with his teenage son Samuel. Sad, angry, and determined to numb the pain, he is slowly pushing away the only family he has left.
Samuel lost half his family two years ago. He's still angry about it. But he has his guitar, his rock music, and the freedom that comes with playing. He also has relationships that his grandparents fully accept — but that put him on a direct collision course with his father.
Three men. Three generations. One family trying to survive itself.
This book doesn't play it safe. This book tackles: grief, addiction, immigration, LGBTQ+ identity, father-son conflict, and what happens when a family's love isn't quite enough to bridge its fractures
Pairs beautifully with: Venezuelan immigration context, discussions of grief and coping mechanisms, LGBTQ+ family dynamics, and the personal essay — each character's chapters are written as a template for students to craft their own.
Note for teachers: this book is intentionally structured to help students write a personal essay. Built-in writing instruction, zero extra prep required.
Level: Intermediate | Tense: Present + Past | Language: English
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English language learners and teachers, please click here to access a comprehensive word list of the text. Free!
Life is Complicated READER
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