Also Reviewed for TeensReadToo.com!
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Contemporary
Release Date: 3/1/2009
About the Book: Marcelo is seventeen and has an Asperger's-like condition. He goes to a special school and has a summer job lined up caring for the therapy horses at his school. But Marcelo’s father has other plans-he wants Marcelo to experience the real world. He gets Marcelo a job working in the mail room of his law firm. Marcelo isn’t interested in working at the law firm, but his father makes him a deal-survive in the real world and he won’t have to go to the public high school his father would like him attend for his senior year.
While working at the law firm, Marcelo uncovers secrets, learns about friendship, fights a battle for justice and learns about the real world.
While working at the law firm, Marcelo uncovers secrets, learns about friendship, fights a battle for justice and learns about the real world.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I was first drawn to this book because of Marcelo-I was interested in reading a book written from the perspective of a character with Asperger’s. I thought it would be a story about Marcelo navigating the real world, but there was so much more. Marcelo finds himself faced with tough decisions, and fighting a battle between what’s right and wrong, and I think anyone can relate to Marcelo’s struggles. There’s some mystery, some romance, and even some religious searching all packed in these pages.
I enjoyed the fact that the book is written in first person from Marcelo’s point of view. It was interesting to get inside Marcelo’s head and understand how he processed things.
Jasmine, Marcelo's co-worker in the mail room, is an inspiration. She’s patient, she’s kind, and she’s smart. I wish more people were as gentle as Jasmine was when she first met Marcelo. Yes, he was slow in his work at first, but she encouraged him and helped him learn instead of getting upset. We could all hope to be like Jasmine, especially when dealing with people who are “different.”
Jasmine, Marcelo's co-worker in the mail room, is an inspiration. She’s patient, she’s kind, and she’s smart. I wish more people were as gentle as Jasmine was when she first met Marcelo. Yes, he was slow in his work at first, but she encouraged him and helped him learn instead of getting upset. We could all hope to be like Jasmine, especially when dealing with people who are “different.”
I recently saw a movie trailer for the movie Adam, which is about a man with Asperger's. I think this movie and this book would make great discussion starters!
I'll have to check out this book. Asperger's is, I find, quite fasinating. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! This one should be on its way to me soon - it sounds so good :)
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