Clap when You Land — Content Guide for Parents

Themes present
Not found
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
Get the full theme breakdown in the app
Detailed evidence, confidence ratings, and source citations for every theme.
Download for iOSExample theme card
Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
In a novel-in-verse that brims with grief and love, National Book Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives.
Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people...
In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.
Separated by distance--and Papi's secrets--the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.
And then, when it seems like they've lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.
Great for summer reading or anytime! Clap When You Land is a Today show pick for "25 children's books your kids and teens won't be able to put down this summer!"
Plus don't miss Elizabeth Acevedo's The Poet X and With the Fire on High!
Frequently asked questions
Is Clap when You Land appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The narrative addresses the loss of a parent and includes themes of sexual assault. These elements are presented delicately, emphasizing the emotional impact on the characters. The book deals with intense themes such as the death of a parent and sexual assault, which may be distressing for some readers. The emotional weight of these topics is significant.
Does Clap when You Land have violence?
The narrative addresses the loss of a parent and includes themes of sexual assault. These elements are presented delicately, emphasizing the emotional impact on the characters.
Does Clap when You Land have scary content?
The book deals with intense themes such as the death of a parent and sexual assault, which may be distressing for some readers. The emotional weight of these topics is significant.
Does Clap when You Land have religious themes?
The story incorporates the Dominican tradition of clapping when a plane safely lands, which reflects cultural practices. Additionally, there are references to Christian beliefs, particularly regarding the power of words and life.
Does Clap when You Land have racial/cultural content?
The story explores themes of gentrification, police brutality, and colorism within BIPOC communities. These issues are woven into the characters' experiences, reflecting their cultural identities.
Does Clap when You Land have profanity?
The book contains strong language, including multiple uses of profanity such as 'f**k' and 's**t', particularly in intense scenes involving emotional responses.
Does Clap when You Land have climate change?
No climate themes or environmental issues are detected in the search results.
Does Clap when You Land have sexual identity?
The book includes brief mentions of romantic interactions, such as girlfriends kissing, and discusses sexual assault, which is a significant theme in the story.
Does Clap when You Land have gender roles?
The narrative addresses toxic masculinity and the experiences of women navigating familial and societal expectations. It presents a critique of traditional gender roles through the characters' journeys.
Does Clap when You Land have lgbtq+ themes?
The book features Yahaira, a lesbian character, and her African American girlfriend, highlighting LGBTQ+ representation. The narrative addresses themes of love and identity within the context of diverse characters.



