“I will truly be surprised if this book does not get numerous awards, in addition to making a best-sellers' list, whether it's adult, YA or both. "Marcelo" is the first from Francisco X. Stork that I've read, but now his previous books will soon be in the ever-growing, teetering pile that lives in my world and changes daily.
The story of Marcelo ("MarSAYlo," the reader finds out too far into the book) is unique in that it is impossible to predict the ending - a mark of a truly good story. Some books one is determined to finish just to prove the easily-predicted end is, in fact, just that. This is not one of those books. The relationships that 17-year-old Marcelo -- a high-functioning boy living on the autism spectrum -- nutures are enthralling and thought-provoking, both at the beginning, middle and end of this story.
Now that I've finished the novel and had a chance to reflect on the book's cover art, I realize it is not "wrong" in its depiction of Marcelo holding hands with a girl next to his tree house both under a wilderness sky full of stars *and* clearly visibile street lights; it is a combination of all that envelops Marcelo during his summer in the "real world."
I recommend this realistic fiction novel for grades 10 and up, including adults, but others would also enjoy it: younger advanced students, anyone interested in legal matters, fans of the cognitive traits that are typical in autistic characters (such as literal interpretation), and teachers and parents of children or teens like Marcelo. ”
MsWrobel wrote this review Thursday, July 9 2009.
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