The Mariposa Club

González, Rigoberto. The Mariposa Club.

New York, N.Y.: Alyson Books, 2009. Print.

ISBN: 9781593501068

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The Mariposa Club

Written by Rigoberto González

Reviewed by Korinna Alvarez

At Caliente Valley High School, there isn’t much room to be different. Actually, in the entire city of Caliente Valley, the people do not seem too eager to change their ways like the rest of the world seems to be doing. This is why the Fierce Foursome—Maui, Trini, Lib and Isaac—find their way to express themselves in a variety of different ways. Rigoberto Gonzalez takes a deep look into what it’s like to be gay and seventeen in a community where this lifestyle is not easily accepted. Gonzalez shows how even though all four teens are gay and best friends, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are going through the same hardships. The Fierce Foursome is a group of four boys with completely different personalities, yet who share the same understanding of their sexual preference and how their city views them.

At seventeen, Maui is still very unsure of himself. He may excel in school and get along with his teachers, but he still has a hard time accepting that his fellow mariposas can be so sure of themselves and where they want to go in life when he is so unsure of himself. Trini, on the other hand, is quite set in her ways. Yes, her ways. She walks around in female clothing and has no problem telling people what’s on her mind. She understands the difficulties she will face living her life in Caliente Valley and doesn’t seem to mind too much. As the youngest of the group, Lib knows he will go far; graduating a year early to be with his mariposas and becoming valedictorian are only two of the great accomplishments he achieves. Although Isaac may seem to have his head on straight about his future, his relationship with his father takes a turn for the worst, which changes the Fierce Foursome for good.

The Mariposa Club is important for teens to read and understand for a few different reasons. Although written through the perspective of only one of the Fierce Foursome, it still brings about very important topics. It’s one thing for a seventeen year old to deal with finding himself and how he belongs in this world, but something completely different when that seventeen year old is gay and gets treated differently by almost anyone regardless of who he is on the inside. González doesn’t hide what these boys feel and think; there isn’t much restriction when it comes to what the boys say and talk about. That’s exactly the point, though; to show readers that even though the Fierce Foursome may be attracted to the same sex, they are essentially dealing with the exact same adolescent problems as everyone else. Teenagers can relate to these boys that call themselves girls on that level, just like most adults can also think back to times that can relate to them as well.

View González’s website.

Listen to an interview with González.

Gonzalez was Poet of the Month, May 2010.

Caramelo

Cisneros, Sandra. Caramelo, Or, Puro Cuento: A Novel.

New York: Knopf, 2002. Print.

ISBN: 0679435549

Caramelo

Written by Sandra Cisneros.

Reviewed by Veronica Herrera.

Listen to the booktalk.

The reader first meet Celaya the main character when she is a young girl and as the novel progresses the reader sees her mature into adulthood. The book takes place in both Mexico and the United states. Celaya’s family spends most of their summer in Mexico. Mexico is filled with different colors and even different sounds.  Celaya’s family is loud boisterous but how could they not be when there are eight brothers? The story plays out like a loud novela. There is the antagonist, the awful Grandmother and the not so graceful protagonist Celaya. Like in any novela, Celaya must meet her prince and run away with him.  Celaya must learn the hard lesson about love and lose before her ever-loving father rescues her.

People who loved House on Mango Street will surely love this book. The story is captivating and filled with details. The reader will become immersed into another vibrant culture through this book. The reader will surely fall in love with one of the many colorful characters in the book. Cisneros once again speaks to the reader’s need of drama, tall tales and adventure.  This book is long but the reader will hardly notice as the pages fly by. This book is appropriate for high school students and covers many of the issues that adolescent deal with such as self-identity, family and love. Teenagers will be able to relate to Celaya’s yearning for independence and fierce love of freedom.

Links to other Caramelo goodies:

Interview with Sandra Cisneros –Early Life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CuRcFkH9nU

http://www.sandracisneros.com/

Hate List

Brown, Jennifer. Hate List. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2009. 408. Print.

ISBN-13: 978-0316041447

Valerie is alone. Her parents are constantly arguing, her friends act like she doesn’t exist, and most of the people in the community think she should be dead. Valerie’s boyfriend, the person she trusted more than anyone else, shattered her life when he brought a gun to school and wounded several students and killed many others, including himself. Most people believe Valerie was involved, but she had no idea what Nick was planning. Valarie was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create; a list of people and things she and Nick hated. This is the same list Nick used to pick his targets.

After spending weeks in the hospital recovering from a near fatal gunshot wound to the leg, Valerie is moved to the psychiatric ward for observation. During the many therapy sessions, she begins to think back on her relationship with Nick and all the events that led up to the terrible event that transformed an entire community. Following the summer after the shooting, Valerie is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to same school where the shooting took place. Valerie must come to grips with the tragedy and her role in it, in order to move on with her life.

Hate List is an extremely powerful story. I was in tears for the last eighty pages and felt emotionally drained by the time I reached the last page. Jennifer Brown has given us a wonderful example of the importance of keeping a watchful eye out for bullying in our schools.

Valerie is a strong character and it was a pleasure to witness her healing process. Once I started Hate List I couldn’t stop. I read every chance I could. Even though the subject matter is very serious, this book was a pleasure to read

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