School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-Tenth graders Jamie and Juan are best friends who live to surf. When Jamie gets into trouble for beating up his abusive stepfather, his older sister, Amber, runs to Juan for help. Juan decides to drive from California to his aunt's trailer in Mexico, where his friend can stay until things cool down. He steals his mother's car, and the three teens embark on a wild road trip that results in a tragedy that changes their lives forever. Although the writing is uneven at times, the mood and emotions ring true, and the fast-paced plot holds readers' attention throughout. The characters are realistically drawn, and their relationships are complex, even though the dialogue can be stilted at times. Street language and sexual situations are presented in a matter-of-fact manner. Teens will identify with Juan and the choices, both good and bad, that he makes in order to help his friend.-Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
When streetwise surfer Juan's best friend Jamie pounds the daylights out of his bullying stepfather, Juan sees no option for him except to get out of town as quickly as possible. He, Jamie and Jamie's sister Amber steal his parents' car and drive south from California to Mexico, where surfing, romance and disaster await. Lopez's debut shares much of the atmosphere and elements seen in urban fiction, and he nails the conversations between Juan, Jamie, Amber and their friends with a gritty, dead-on teen-speak that surges through the pages, giving extra shots of hang-ten adrenaline to the already fast-paced plot. In contrast, Juan's inner voice, through which the story unfolds, utilizes a more sophisticated language that, while fumblingly poetic as a surfer dude should be, occasionally feels at odds with the dialogues and plot. Still, the story moves quickly, and despite an over-packed, rushed ending, this first effort will score big with surfing and sports fans. (Fiction. YA)
JUN/JUL 07 - AudioFile
When high school student Jamie finally loses his cool with his abusive stepfather, the resulting fight puts his stepfather in the hospital and puts Jamie on the run. He’s joined by his sister and his best friend, Juan, who steals his mom's car for the jaunt to Mexico. Reader Ramon de Ocampo provides distinctive voices for each of the three kids, painting a picture of each teen's struggle to reach adulthood. Woven generously through the story is an account of the California surfing scene, and de Ocampo lends spirit to the author's joyful descriptions of the pursuit of the perfect wave. Parents might want to preview this book as it includes frank descriptions of drug use and sexual encounters. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
