The blurb: "Rosa Capistrano has been attending posh North Phoenix High School to boost her chances of a college education and a career in journalism, thanks to the groundbreaking Brown v. Board of Education verdict for desegregation. But though she’s legally allowed to be there, it’s still unsafe for Mexican Americans. That’s why she’s secretly passing as Rosie, a white girl." When her best friends are murdered, one accidently and the other not, Rosa is at a crossroads of what she should do.

What I liked was the premise and plot but the execution was another story. I also liked the introduction of the Mexican American community organizations of that time (LULAC) and the community response.

A few characters are flat. What was a challenge for me as a reader was the teenaged Rosa versus some of her interior monologue which was adult many times. The secondary characters stayed in voice but she did not. Also, the friend Julianne's eyes were described several times in different shades of blue which was annoying. The love interest is also described more than twice with his eye color. It sounds amateurish.
I really wanted to rate this book higher based on the interesting premise, but the writing and the ending was not satisfying enough to rate more than a 3 star.

This is such a fun and engaging novel about Civil Rights set in an area of the country and with a group of people not usually widely discussed when it comes to the topic. The topic is important and heavy, and the author did such a great job at making it into a story that is well-written, appealing, and thought provoking. It's a heavy book, but it's handled with such care and attention. Romeo and Juliet meets History class. It explores such great topics for teens, identity in a community and in self, assimilation, racism, prejudices, socioeconomics within the larger and smaller community, a different approach to Civil Rights activism and injustice in the country, peer pressure... It doesn't matter when the novel is set; these are still tough topics kids are dealing with.

It's postured as a Romeo and Juliet retelling, set in Arizona during the 50s, but it is really so much more than that.

This will be going into my US History lesson plans as supplemental reading for the Civil Rights units. I'm trying to figure out if I can work it into Government lesson plans, too.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of this one!!

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from Netgalley, so thank you to the publisher for approving my request. It’s the first book I’ve ever read from author Hailey Alcaraz and it certainly won’t be my last because I absolutely loved this book. I read it in two days. And while the story itself is set in 1950’s Arizona, based on actual historical events, I couldn’t help but feel the similarities to what is happening today. And that’s heartbreaking. This book may be about a Mexican American girl keeping her true identity a secret and passing off as a white girl to make it in a society that doesn’t favor immigrants, and the Romeo and Juliet like tragedy that changes everything, but at the heart of it all, it’s a story about hope. The universal truth that life goes on, people move on, and change may not happen overnight but perhaps someday. And in the meantime? We carry on. It’s the message this book flawlessly delivers. I’d recommend this book to anyone who needs a bit of that. And to all the Mexican American girls like me who love seeing their culture and language represented in YA and guys like Marco as the love interest. Thank you, Hailey Alcaraz, it means the world.

This amazing book broke my heart a thousand times. I allowed myself to be in the shoes of Rosie— Rosa, Juliane and Ramón. I caught myself thinking about the fact that I hear stories about my black ancestors and how things were for them but I never heard about Mexicans and Mexican Americans. This book sent a quick jolt to my mind and I started think about my Mexican American friends and what their parents went through during this time. This book is a true tragedy and I commend Rosa for her bravery throughout it. Hailey did a great job of tugging heart strings especially as I realized nothing has really changed since then.

There were moments while reading this novel when it felt like I was consuming something straight from a current headline... only to be humbled by the subtle reminders that this takes place in 1955. While we can look at the last 70 years of history and appreciate how much has changed, it's hard not to immerse yourself in Rosa's hauntingly beautiful narrative and see how much hasn't, and just how much there is left to say, do, and atone for.

Hailey has written a stunning coming-of-(r)age novel that is as eerily relevant as it is bittersweet, filled with moments of tender romance and audacious hope. I can't stress its importance enough.

This was a wonderful book! If you love retellings of Romeo and Juliet then you will love this book! It was a very emotional book and beautiful.

I was incredibly excited when I got my hands on this ARC because the plot immediately caught my eye. Rosa by Any Other Name is a powerful and emotional historical fiction novel that left a lasting impression. Inspired by Romeo and Juliet and set against the backdrop of the civil rights era, it explores the deeply personal and political journey of Rosa Capistrano, a Mexican American teenager navigating the difficult choice to pass as white in order to pursue her dreams of a college education and a career in journalism.

What makes this novel so impactful is how it delves into the complexities of identity and the consequences of assimilation. Rosa’s internal conflict is palpable — the pressure to fit into a white world while knowing it means erasing a vital part of herself. Her journey from silence to finding her own voice is both heartbreaking and empowering. Hailey Alcaraz crafts Rosa’s character with such nuance and emotional depth that you can’t help but root for her as she steps into her truth, even when it comes at a cost.

The parallel love story of Julianne and Ramon adds another layer of tension and tragedy. Their relationship, born out of innocence and defiance, is doomed from the start, yet you can’t stop hoping they’ll find a way through. The unraveling of their love mirrors the conflicts at play — the deep-seated racism and prejudice that defined the era.

Alcaraz doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of racism and injustice, but instead confronts them head-on, showing both the heartbreak and resilience of those who dared to fight back.

The end was the only thing that left me with a bittersweet taste, I was hoping to find more of the repercussion of Callahan and how it marks in the fight of injustice.

Rosa by Any Other Name isn’t just a story about forbidden love or self-discovery — it’s a raw and necessary exploration of race, privilege, and the courage it takes to reclaim your identity. This book will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

Loved this book! Such a cool and unique premise, and the story was so well-researched and thoughtful. The plot came together beautifully and it felt educational while at the same time maintaining the pacing of an engaging fiction read. Highly recommend!