They Thought They Buried Us

Gr 9 Up–This horror novel features a non-binary, Puerto Rican teen intent on dismantling the systems that oppress them. Yuiza (they/them, she/her) is obsessed with horror movies, using them as a lens to view the world. They are upset to discover that their mom is sending them to a prestigious all-girls school on a scholarship and work-study program. A series of events seemingly set up against them causes Yuiza to quickly accumulate debt that she is expected to pay off through her work-study job. Meanwhile, Yuiza experiences visions of the school’s sordid past and how it relates to those close to her. To take down the corrupt school, which acts as a microcosm of society’s overall oppression, Yuiza teams up with other BIPOC students. Yuiza’s love and knowledge of horror films are represented throughout, both in the way she describes events as horror tropes and in the syntax of the text, which often reflects a movie script, particularly when introducing a new character or depicting a flashback. Yuiza is well developed, with a rich family life and ability to connect with those around them. While Yuiza’s story is important, the book feels underdeveloped in some key areas. The narrative occasionally lacks cohesion, with abrupt transitions between sections and ambiguous dialogue attribution. Overall, the plot is engaging and discusses important topics related to oppression and its toll. The cast of characters is diverse in gender representation and sexual orientation.