by L.J. Alonge ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 21, 2017
More than just sports stories, the books in the series are about characters trying to find their ways in life.
The third book in the Blacktop series features Frank Torres as he navigates the courts (basketball and law), streets, and classrooms of his hometown of Oakland, California.
Latino Frank and his diverse fellowship of streetballers, including Justin and Janae, both stars of earlier, eponymous books in the series, fancy themselves unbeatable. But when they move inside and play against well-coached teams, they realize “it’s a different game” inside. Though they thought they were unbeatable, they aren’t. Scrimmages reflect the complacency and arrogance that define Frank’s life, a mentality that has gotten him into trouble many times in the past—joy riding, coming to school reeking of marijuana, throwing erasers at teachers. His community mentor, Officer Appleby, tries to direct Frank toward more responsible behaviors, but it’s meeting young, tough-minded artist Toni (star of an upcoming volume) that helps Frank to shape up a bit. Alonge’s narrative effectively reveals Frank’s street smarts to be a facade, a mask he wears to cover a vulnerability and sweetness that Toni might help bring to the surface. The slim volume, with its large font and easy vocabulary, is perfect for reluctant readers in middle school and high school, with enough basketball action and bad-boy behaviors to attract a readership.
More than just sports stories, the books in the series are about characters trying to find their ways in life. (Fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Feb. 21, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-101-99566-2
Page Count: 130
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2017
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by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2024
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
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by Daniel Aleman ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 4, 2021
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
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