It's All Love

December 15, 2020
A collection of life lessons for teens from a 17-year-old actor. Ortega's debut compilation of motivational quotes and stories from her life includes themes of family, self-love, faith, and owning one's story. The writing style is conversational and addresses readers as peers. Some of the life lessons communicate beliefs about love and light in a manner that may not appeal to all, but Ortega uses her personal stories to connect this philosophy to her lived experiences with sincerity. Some of the stories end fairly abruptly, leaving readers wanting to hear more about what happened next, and some feel repetitive. However, overall, the book speaks directly to Ortega's teenage fan base, addressing topics that they may struggle with such as depression, jealousy, social media use, difficulties in school, and friendship conflict. The author also talks about the value of role models and the pride she feels in being a Latina in the public eye who can, in turn, inspire others. The book's structure, with aphorisms in decorative frames separated by single pages of text, allows readers to work their way straight through or skip to random pages and still gain value from the tiny nuggets of wisdom. In Ortega's words, "You are in charge of your story. Don't let anybody else write it for you." Earnest and vulnerable. (Nonfiction. 12-17)

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February 1, 2021

Gr 7 Up-Eighteen-year-old Latina actress Ortega provides a refreshing dose of teen optimism with the life lessons she has learned. It's clear that her family is her main support. Although Ortega points out that one's family of choice is just as important as one's family by blood, her stories consistently illustrate how a loving family of any kind can be crucial to a developing teen. Her tales of crushes, faith, true friends, and believing in oneself are universal. Many teens may not be able to relate to being passed over for a movie role; however, they will be able to relate to the actions she took to overcome that devastation. Those who have read Lara Honos-Webb's Six Super Skills for Executive Functioning will see some similarities when it comes to seeking help for depression. Ortega talks about not wanting to seek help because she thought she was being too dramatic, or that her problems seemed minuscule compared to the struggles of others. After seeking help, she realized that problems are personal and not to be compared to others. With the growing rate of depressed and suicidal teens in today's society, this message is important and necessary. There are many other applicable life lessons explored in the text, such as self-confidence, how to manage stress, and making time and space for one's faith. Ortega exudes unexpected but welcome wisdom. The short sections and fast pace makes this an effortless read. Ortega does not talk down to her readers; she only wants to help. VERDICT Recommended for any library that caters to tweens and teens. Readers will enjoy Ortega's down-to-earth advice and optimism.-Jeni Tahaney, Summit H.S., Manfield, TX

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