Ernesto Cisneros

So many middle grade books are about friendships breaking when kids enter middle school -- either from the need to be cool, or from self-discovery that causes kids to grow apart as they age, or from other outside pressures. The glory of this book is that there is a loving friendship between boys at the heart of it, and they never let each other down. They both have family challenges in their lives (one absent father, one who is struggling with alcoholism), loving mothers, and sincere doubts show more about their own abilities (Marco is short and struggles with anxiety, Isaac finds it difficult to keep up with homework). They also both spend a lot of time in this book genuinely supporting each other and appreciating each other's strengths -- from Marco's intelligence to Isaac's basketball skills. It's also one of the only middle grade books I've ever read where a school enforces an anti-bullying policy so that the kids don't have to. It's a really straightforward story about being in 6th grade and growing up and trying new things. It's a quick read and an engaging one, and it's just absolutely stuffed with heart.

Reminds me a lot of A Whole New Ballgame by Phil Bildner, which is another favorite of mine. Let's hear it for celebrating kids and their care for each other.

Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss. show less

This 2023 Lone Star novel makes you laugh out loud and then sniffle at life's realities. I loved it! The novel is told from two perspectives: Isaac and Marco.

Isaac wants to make his mom proud of him. It's the first day of middle school, so he's determined to be on time and to make better grades and do his homework. His mother has taken her maiden name back, divorcing Isaac's father. This divorce is hard on Isaac because he knows that his parents still love each other. His mother believes show more that his father needs to take care of himself before he can be a husband and father. His decisions about liquor force her to kick him out and initiate a divorce. He now has an apartment, but he's not dependable or safe because of his drinking issues. Marco loves Isaac's mom; she makes great food and takes time to listen to Marco.

Marco wants his father to see him as more than a wuss. Marco is very short; he makes really good grades and enjoys all the academic clubs. His father was a great athlete, so Marco wants to succeed in athletics in hopes of getting his dad to care about him. There are amusing scenes with Marco and his mom whenever they talk about food. Marco's mother is a terrible cook! Marco's tenacity impresses me. He does NOT give up. He will research and study until he knows all that he needs to know, maybe more than he needs to know!

Isaac and Marco are best friends. Unfortunately, they don't have classes together to speak of. Marco sees how popular and easy Isaac navigates the jocks of the school while Marco deals with being jostled and teased--with a fairly good attitude, as he realistically knows why and expects it while rolling his eyes. What I enjoyed about their relationship is that they always choose to be friends. If Isaac sees any athletes picking on Marco or anyone else, he doesn't want to be that kid's friend. He always chooses Marco. Even some of Isaac's friends watch out for Marco, as he's prime bait for being picked on because of his smallness. Isaac is an amazing athlete, so Marco decides that he will go out for the basketball team in order to impress his father. Marco researches A LOT in order to learn the game while Isaac is busy. Isaac, with infinite patience, does work with Marco, learning that Marco is terrible at basketball. Isaac can't tell him that! Marco can do one thing well: free throw like a granny would. When tryouts happen, everyone assumes that if Marco can hang with Isaac, he must be a really good player. He doesn't even have to tryout (because of an injury with his finger), and he makes the team.

I've set up so much of the story, so you need to read it and see what all happens with Isaac's dad, Marco's dad, the basketball team, the bullies, and Isaac's pledge to be a good student. They succeed so well as friends; my favorite scene is the night Isaac stays up to help Marco while Marco sleeps. His actions show true friendship and that Isaac underestimates himself when it comes to schoolwork. Great book to spend your time reading! show less

Efrén's hero, his mother, his Amá, one day does not come home. She's been caught by la migra in an ICE raid at her workplace. It comes down to Efrén to take care of himself and his twin younger siblings, Max (who has a learning disability) and Mia, while his Apá takes on an additional job to raise the money to keep the family going and try to get Amá back. This is a lot for a twelve-year-old. Pair all of that worry and responsibility at home, and add a dose of middle school friendship show more drama, and it's understandable that life feels like it's unraveling for Efrén. The ending is heartbreaking but not conclusive, leaving the reader to hope for the best but knowing reality's odds are not great. show less

Efren's mother has been deported, leaving behind Efren, the little twins and her husband. Although Efren is aware of la migra and of ICE raids happening in his community, he hasn't thought deeply about their impact until now. Now he's old enough to worry about taking care of his siblings and noticing his father's haggard and worried appearance through the ordeal. This book is a window and mirror on the very real trauma of family separation due to deportation; Efren is a good kid caught up in show more tough circumstances and readers will identify with or appreciate his battle. show less