I can't wait to introduce Marco and Isaac to students in my elementary library! I am both astounded and delighted that Ernesto Cisneros has created two more characters in his second novel, Falling Short, who are similarly relatable, fascinating, and joyfully likeable. I have never seen a book that is hugged so often by its readers. It has been a joy to introduce the character of Efrén Nava in Efrén Divided, the debut novel by Ernesto Cisneros, to my son and to my upper elementary students during the past year. TW: alcoholism (parent), bullying, car accident, panic attack, parental abandonment This will be an excellent addition to classroom libraries for upper elementary and middle grade readers, particularly those readers who enjoy male friendships and/or basketball. Basketball players and fans will love this book. I appreciated how effortlessly Cisneros was able to work in all of these topics while keeping the book at a short length for middle grade readers. This was a really cute middle grade book that tackled a lot of important topics and themes for young readers: changing friendships, entering middle school, bullying, how to have difficult conversations with your parents, lying, and standing up for yourself and what's right for you. When Marco tries out for the basketball team, he is sure that will get his father's attention.
His father makes a lot of promises to spend time with Marco but he doesn't seem to be all that impressed with the activities Marco spends time doing. Marco, on the other hand, is a straight A student who wants to do nothing more than impress his absent father. Isaac knows his dad drinks too much but it isn't until his dad has to pick him up from school drunk that Isaac really starts to worry about how much his father is drinking. Isaac's parents have recently split up and Isaac's dad is struggling with his alcohol consumption. Isaac is a basketball star and plans on staying more on top of his homework so he doesn't have to rely on Marco so much. Isaac and Marco are best friends and are entering sixth grade. This book was a lot of fun and covered a wide range of topics and challenges, some of which I wasn't expecting initially. I really liked this middle grade novel so when I heard there was a new book coming out by Cisneros, I knew I wanted to read it. I first read Ernesto Cisneros last year when I read Efren Divided. I didn’t feel there was much of me I wanted the world to see.” Drinking has a way of hiding who a person is. “You see, sometimes it’s a lot easier to do things for people you love than it is for yourself.
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