Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish

Really great story -- Marcus has a lot of heart, for all he feels alienated because of his intimidating size. I was deeply amused by his money making schemes in the school and loved the portrayal of his brother, Charlie. Charlie has down syndrome and is, like most of the people with down syndrome I have known, just an absolute character -- funny, adamant about the things he loves, unafraid to dance in the street and generally joyful to be around. Their trip to Puerto Rico leads to a great adventure, with more family and parts of the country being revealed each day, even though the ultimate meeting with his estranged father isn't what he expected at all. Makes me even sadder to think of the island's devastation, and I appreciate the ways show more in which Cartaya calls out the completely baffling reality of US territorial laws. show less

Marcus Vega has a lot on his shoulders. Because of his size, everyone expects him to be strong (and maybe violent, also), but he's actually quite gentle and responsible; he takes care of his younger brother, Charlie, who has Down's Syndrome, while their mom works long hours for an airline. When Marcus loses his cool at school and punches a bully who used the r-word to talk about Charlie, Marcus gets suspended, and his mom decides a trip might be what their family needs. She gets tickets to Puerto Rico, and while she's excited to be someplace different and spend time with her sons, Marcus has another mission: find his father, who left after Charlie was born. In Puerto Rico, the Vegas connect with family members who treat them, instantly, show more like family, offering food, shelter, and transportation, as well as sharing memories, stories, and wisdom. Although Marcus does find his father, he turns out to be a disappointment - but the rest of the family makes the trip more than worthwhile.

In a way, the whole book is about subverted expectations: what people expect Marcus to be like (a bully, because he's big; a Spanish speaker, because of his last name), and what Marcus expects of his father (that he will show up, love and support his family).

As with EACH TINY SPARK, the author narrates the audiobook to great effect. show less

This was such a wonderful book! I'm quickly becoming a big Pablo Cartaya fan, having also recently read The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora. His writing style is so fun and he does an amazing job of creating characters that middle grade/middle school audiences can really relate to.

Marcus Vega gets in trouble for a fight at school, and he, his mom, and his brother Charlie, who has down syndrome, go on holiday to Puerto Rico to regroup and get away from their troubles for a bit. For Marcus, this is in opportunity to satisfy a sudden urge to meet his father, who left when he was young. But, as the story progresses, Marcus learns that perhaps what he needed to feel loved was something different all along.

This is a beautiful book about show more embracing cultural heritage, and it is a poignant reminder that to feel confident in ourselves, we must surround ourselves with the people who love us most, rather than seeking validation from those who don't care to know us as we are. show less

diverse children's middlegrade fiction (Puerto-Rican student who is picked on for his intimidating size makes friends and searches for his absent father while on vacation in pre-hurricane PR; his younger brother has Down Syndrome).

Marcus is such a sweet kid, I really enjoyed spending time with him and his extended PR family. Great characters and many heartfelt moments.

Narrated by the author. Marcus has a fearsome reputation at his middle school: He's the tallest, biggest, and strongest kid. He charges his classmates money to be their escort to and from school as protection from bullies. Despite being viewed as a monster, Marcus is fiercely protective of younger brother Charlie who has Down's syndrome. Their single mother works long hours at her airline job. After Marcus is suspended after punching a bully, their mother decides to take the boys on a short trip to Puerto Rico for a reset and to see family. Marcus hopes to connect with his father whom he hasn't seen since he was 4 years old. Comments by his Puerto Rican relatives imply that the father is unreliable and impetuous but Marcus doesn't see show more it; he just wants his father back and helping his struggling family. There are kids who are old souls but Marcus' level of awareness is not one you see in average kids. As his father tours him around his workplace, a fancy hotel, Marcus realizes he's just trying to sell him a timeshare. What kid would be that aware of a sales pitch? They'd be more awed by the fancy digs. As Marcus comes to terms that his father is not going to be who he needs him to be, his philosophizing doesn't ring true, more that of an adult than a middle-schooler. Cartaya performs his own work; at times his delivery amusingly veers to the staccato rhythm of "Dragnet's" Sgt. Joe Friday, especially during the scene in the principal's office. show less

Marcus is carrying a heavy load watching out for his brother, Charlie who has downs syndrome, and picking up the slack at home for his mom that is frequently gone. Marcus is trying to pitch in around the house and has several money making schemes within his school. When he loses his temper with a bully and punches someone, it changes his family's trajectory. His mom thinks they need to get away and books a trip to Puerto Rico. Marcus is obsessed with seeing his dad again. The trip is healing and traumatic. Marcus discovers a connection with family he never knew he even had and tries to figure out his way forward and his identity when he is no longer just a giant, scary monster.

The characters are generally well-drawn and developed, the bully is trope-y but not to distraction. Marcus Vega is a BIG 14-year old, he’s an enterprising protector of his brother and bullied kids, but is driven too far one day and punches the bully, which launches the trip of discovery the family takes to Puerto Rico. Some unfinished, hurried or disconnected aspects hold this book back (take the camera aspect further! Why are the German-speaking girls there? They don’t add to the story in a meaningful way. The ending with the dad is anti-climactic and hurried) but it’s still a solid book I’ll put in my young patron’s hands.