 | Barely missing everything Author: Mendez, Matt | |
| Price: $9.83 | ||
Summary:
Three Mexican-Americans--Juan, JD, and Fabi--each try to overcome their individual struggles as they all grapple with how to make a better life for themselves when it seems like brown lives don't matter.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: UG Reading Level: 5.30 Points: 11.0 Quiz: 503800 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 9-12 Reading Level: 6.30 Points: 18.0 Quiz: 76893 | |
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/15/2019 Mendez's gut-wrenching YA debut follows three narrators—Juan, JD, and Fabi—who are struggling to get by in El Paso, Texas. They each have a goal: Juan's best shot at college is a basketball scholarship, JD dreams of becoming a filmmaker, and Fabi, Juan's mother, just wants to make ends meet despite an unexpected pregnancy. But, as they know too well, the world is unforgiving, and troubles like sprained ankles, broken families, and lost jobs are heaped upon them. They begin to doubt if any of their hopes and dreams will ever come true, or if the lives of three brown people matter to anyone besides themselves. Mendez minces no words as he presents issues that are all too real for many Latin American communities. Although the characters are sometimes frustrating, Mendez's attention to raw detail in plot and diction is both painful and illuminating. With its shades of social justice, this will appeal to readers of Matt de la Peña and Jason Reynolds. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 03/01/2019 Gr 9 Up—Juan Ramos has big dreams: to play college basketball and one day be a professional basketball player. His friend JD Sanchez wants to make great movies and has been collecting old equipment. When Juan and JD run from the police at a friend's party, an avalanche of problems that has surrounded them all their lives collapses around them. JD's mom kicks his dad out of the house after finding out about his affair. Juan's mom, Fabi, and her current boyfriend bail him out of jail, and a sprained ankle and failing algebra grade threaten to bring Juan's basketball career to a complete halt. When Juan discovers a letter to Fabi from an inmate on death row, he is certain this man must be the father he has never known. JD and Juan agree to travel to meet Armando Aranda, with JD documenting their experiences on camera. As the friends set off to find out the truth, a tragic misunderstanding changes their lives forever. The writing flows easily and, coupled with letter excerpts and lyrics, will make this a fast read, though some may find that the ending comes too abruptly. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Matt de la Peña's Mexican Whiteboy.—Selenia Paz, Harris County Public Library, Houston, TX - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
