by Gary SotoBookList : From BookList, January 1, 2006, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.: Terms of Use: Gr. 7-10. After a scuffle with the “sorry rat” who broke her best friend's heart, 14-year-old Marisa grabs the wrong cell phone. It belongs to Rene, a “muy wimpy” chess player who attends a magnet school across town. As they exchange phones, Marisa finds herself curiously drawn to Rene, a skinny, “genuine nerd,” very different from the homeboys at her rough school. Inspired to make a change, and get closer to Rene, Marisa transfers to his school and is surprised to find herself transformed from “a moody shadow” in class to someone who “could bare her soul.” As she and Rene progress to handholding and kisses, secrets emerge that threaten their academic possibilities and their affection. Soto deepens this gentle romance between opposites with subtle, authentic glimpses of an uncertain world, where adults don't always provide protection and nurturing. With humor and insight, he creates memorable, likable characters in Marisa and Rene, who find support and love by valuing authenticity and sweetness over cool. A glossary of the text's occasional Spanish words and phrases is appended. GillianEngberg.: distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.:
From BookList, January 1, 2006, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
Gr. 7-10. After a scuffle with the “sorry rat” who broke her best friend's heart, 14-year-old Marisa grabs the wrong cell phone. It belongs to Rene, a “muy wimpy” chess player who attends a magnet school across town. As they exchange phones, Marisa finds herself curiously drawn to Rene, a skinny, “genuine nerd,” very different from the homeboys at her rough school. Inspired to make a change, and get closer to Rene, Marisa transfers to his school and is surprised to find herself transformed from “a moody shadow” in class to someone who “could bare her soul.” As she and Rene progress to handholding and kisses, secrets emerge that threaten their academic possibilities and their affection. Soto deepens this gentle romance between opposites with subtle, authentic glimpses of an uncertain world, where adults don't always provide protection and nurturing. With humor and insight, he creates memorable, likable characters in Marisa and Rene, who find support and love by valuing authenticity and sweetness over cool. A glossary of the text's occasional Spanish words and phrases is appended. GillianEngberg.
