"Marcelo, are you ready?"The abstract is hidden because it may contain spoilers. If you would like to read the full summary, simply use your cursor to highlight the next few lines and it will magically appear.
Abstract: Marcelo Sandoval, a seventeen-year-old boy on the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum, faces new challenges, including romance and injustice, when he goes to work for his father in the mailroom of a corporate law firm.
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; 312 pages
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10 comments:
I struggled with whether to include Marcelo in the Real World on this list. It features a 17 year old protagonist and it deals with some older issues. However, the terms of the 'real' Newbery Award state that children are "defined as persons of ages up to and including fourteen, and books for this entire age range are to be considered."
I could certainly see a 14 year old enjoying this thought-provoking book as much as I did. I can't wait to hear what you think!
I am half way through this at the present moment, and think it is better suited for Prinz. I think you are correct, Mary, that many a 14-year-old could handle it, but that is a bit of a narrow audience for Newbery.
BTW, I'm to the point where I'm dreading what will happen next. As often happens in outstanding fiction you are required to see your beloved characters suffer. I hope Marcelo is up for it, I’m not sure I am. I am crazy about him.
This is a really great book. I loved it. :)
How did you hide those letters?
:)
After what I thought was a slow start, I really enjoyed this book. Marcelo was a very in-depth main character, while his supporting characters added even more depth to the story. With an unexpected little twist towards the end, I thought Stork did a good job of not being too predictable. Language and content is definitely for the older side of Newbery, I would have to agree with DaNae and say it would be better suited for the Prinz award.
I'm with Jill on this one -- a powerful read -- and definitely worth the time to read it -- but better suited for Printz.
Way to go Kris, it's about time someone spelled the award correctly.
Definitely one of my favorite books of the year.
I loved this book but must agree with many others - better suited for a Printz award. I do book talks in 7th and 8th grades and I can only see a very small percentage of those students actually getting past the first few chapters.
This is one of those characters that will stick with me (and I would think any reader)long after I have finished the book.
I don't think this is a contender for the Newbery. It is more suited for Young Adults. I would even find it hard to put in the hands of a 14 year old even. It would really depend on the child.
I really like this book. At first it was slow, and I had to make myself keep reading, but I really like it.
I like the way Marcelo works through his struggles. I like the way his thoughts seem to change as the book progresses, and he comes out of himself. I like the message of respect.
I would not recommend it for a Newberry because it's not for kids. Too much sex talk and cuss words, including but not limited to, the f-word. It's definitely PG-13.
I've just read the first few chapters, and I think it's too slow and introspective for the Newbery age group. But I agree that it is beautifully written.
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