Excellent story about family, about growing up, making choices, respect. Very easy for me to feel the characters. ( )

It was a very interesting how they incorporated Spanish slang into the dialogue, and it is very similar to real life situations. I read this book because the title suggested there was a Spanish influence.

Gritty but suprisingly funny tale of Frankie Towers and his love/hate relationship with older brother, Steve. Trouble ensues when local rich anglo John Dalton picks a fight with Frankie. Steve wants to defend him; can Frankie fight his own battles? New Mexico locale is deftly drawn. Love interest (Rebecca Sanchez) and the development of that relationship is also realistic (sex is suggested, not graphic) Definitely a guy read! ( )

Maybe a good suggestion for teen boy or Latino girl ( )

Frankie Towers is a good kid. He helps out at the family restaurant, he's a loyal friend to his buddy Zach, and he idolizes his big brother Steve. But lately Frankie's had to cover up for his brother more and more - Steve's been staying out all night and coming home with black eyes and bruises. Steve's street cred may be rising, but Frankie's getting concerned about his brothers' choices. Frankie's romantic life is getting complicated, too. He's been pining over Rebecca for years now - and just when she seems to notice him, the most popular senior in the school is suddenly hanging all over her. Frankie's problems are as realistic as the spot-on teen voice used in Coert Voorhees' novel. Steve's increasing desire for the "respect" of the local gang, Frankie's growing relationship with Rebecca, and his need to stand up for himself and his friends are all a catalyst for Frankie's growth over the course of the story. The small-town New Mexico setting is vibrant, and lends the novel its own language. Collectors should be advised that the realistic language includes frequent casual swearing, but that it is absolutely a contributing factor in the success of the novel's voice. Voorhees' characterization is the strongest aspect of this novel, which one exception. While most of the characters are very well-rounded and show both strengths and weaknesses, the novel's "bad guy" is almost a charicature of the YA mean jock. Not only does he graphically beat up Frankie and try to steal the girl, but his very rich family is trying to buy up and homogenize the entire town. He is the one character who is not given a well-rounded personality, and it makes him stand out in the world of the novel.On my blog ( )