Mariposa U.

Gr 9 Up—In this third installment of "The Mariposa" series about four Latino LGBTQ friends, González weaves together a thought-provoking narrative surrounding a young queer Chicano struggling to connect with his peers and college community. The protagonist Maui (an incoming college freshman) and a small cast of other characters grapple with life transitions and questions surrounding sexuality as well as what it means to have healthy supportive relationships. Themes in this work include being true to one's self, friendship, and love. Other darker strands pertaining to substance abuse and assault are present, but are not graphic. Mariposa U might draw in readers who enjoy realistic fiction, introspective main characters, and plots that are relationship-driven. Similarly, teens who are curious about the college experience, pitfalls and triumphs alike, might take solace in this work. Though the text is honest and candid, the language seems dated and juvenile. Moreover, the dialogue seems forced at times with a lack of a natural rhythm or cadence that the audience might expect of the characters. The author noticeably shies away from even mild profanities and the absence is palpable. A few supporting characters are one-dimensional and do not necessarily add to the story line.