Thanks to a fabulous recommendation by a colleague (shout-out, PTB), I learned about Matt de la Pena’s work. This is the kind of book that you keep thinking about after you have finished it. The characters seem so real and are incredibly well-crafted and developed. Once I got into this book, it completely pulled me under and I didn’t come up for air until the very end. The main character, Miguel, is traveling down the California coast to Mexico after breaking out of a juvie group home with unlikely companions Mong and Rondell Law (I find it funny that his last name is Law, but he is in juvie for getting in trouble with the law and really follows his own law). The story follows Miguel’s journey and adventures while he comes to terms with his past. Give this book to hesitant male readers, especially (but not limited to), boys with Latino heritage, and start them off with some read alouds. I recommend this book to readers who like stories about adventure, friendship, and family/brothers. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—for the right reader, this book could be life-changing.
