The Closest I've Come

Gr 9 Up—Marcos Rivas's mother doesn't care about him and never has. She allows her racist boyfriend to abuse the 15-year-old and spends her money on vodka instead of replacing Marcos's holey sneakers and tattered T-shirts. A checked-out mother isn't the only challenge facing the teen, who is growing up in the impoverished neighborhood of Maesta. Marcos typically doesn't even try at school; with no one to believe in him, why would he believe in himself? When a teacher recommends him for a class geared toward underachieving, bright students, he initially assumes his usual prankster role, refusing to learn. Slowly, Marcos begins to realize that while the people you think should care the most might fail you, there are others who won't. A group of quirky and loyal friends and a couple of supportive teachers ultimately provide what his mother cannot: a sense of family and the inspiration to try. The theme of finding family in unexpected places is valuable, and heavy subject material is balanced by ample doses of comedy. The book's nuanced character development is noteworthy, especially as evidenced in Marcos's attitudes toward his evolving friendship with Amy, his major girl crush. While romance features in the novel, it doesn't tie up neatly, lending greater verisimilitude to the work.