DECEMBER 2017 - AudioFile
Christian Barillas’s touching and quiet performance capture the ups and downs of teenager Marcos Rivas. Raised in a low-income Tampa neighborhood, Marcos spends most of his time in his head, navigating his tough home life and hiding emotions his peers would taunt him for having. When Marcos joins the Future Success program, he begins to confront the social norms he’s grown up with. At the same time, he develops a crush on a headstrong punk girl. Aceves’s debut features a poignant first-person point of view that sounds confessional when paired with Barillas’s intimate tone. Barillas has an impressive range; the way he hits accents adds a layer of dazzling authenticity to his performance. Listeners will empathize with Marcos and celebrate his newfound optimism. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 10/09/2017
In a poor neighborhood in central Tampa, Fla., sophomore Marcos Rivas is more worried about avoiding his mother’s abusive, racist boyfriend than about getting good grades. But he also yearns to escape poverty and maybe even get a date with Amy, a classmate with blue-streaked hair and a no-nonsense attitude (“All my life I’ve seen how couples match, in skin or style, and then I get a crush on a white girl who listens to punk”). Aceves sets his first novel in a vividly described community plagued by the familiar demons of addiction, crime, and abuse, as well as rampant racism. Marcos’s narration springs to life as he struggles with complex problems. His best friend is dealing drugs, and his mother—who was 16 when she became pregnant—doesn’t really know how to take care of herself, much less him. Through new friends in Marcos’s after-school program, he realizes that he isn’t alone, an epiphany that permeates the balance of the novel. It’s a memorable, hard-hitting portrait of a teenager trying to shape his own destiny after being dealt a difficult hand. Ages 14–up. Agent: Louise Fury, Bent Agency. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
★ “Heart-wrenching, funny, hopeful, and not-to-be-missed.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A memorable, hard-hitting portrait of a teenager trying to shape his own destiny after being dealt a difficult hand.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Aceves has written a remarkable debut novel. Every reader will enjoy Aceves’s deft handling of this coming-of-age journey. The Closest I’ve Come will be a welcome addition to the growing cannon of quality urban young adult literature.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“An unflinching portrayal of boyhood and the seemingly impossible circumstances so many young people face.” — Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Poet X
“A brilliant, subtle debut.” — Sonia Patel, author of Morris Award finalist Rani Patel in Full Effect and Jaya and Rasa: A Love Story
“A story that will have readers cheering by the end. An inspirational read.” — Booklist
“Recommended for fans of Jason Reynolds and for readers who appreciate gritty and introspective realistic fiction with a sense of humor.” — School Library Journal
“It takes about half a page of this debut to become convinced Aceves is an author to watch, but there’s no point at which you’ll want to put down his strongly voiced coming-of-age, perfect for fans of When I Was the Greatest.” — B&N Teen Blog
“A debut that’s as stunning as it is powerful, Aceves’ novel is a story is a complex story about family and friendships. Don’t sleep on this one.” — Paste Magazine
“Effective, and there’s a refreshing subversion of literary expectation...The accessible writing brings this story to a wide range of readers.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“[E]xplores the nuances of class and ethnicity through the eyes of a hero that readers will love rooting for.” — Bookish.com
Elizabeth Acevedo
An unflinching portrayal of boyhood and the seemingly impossible circumstances so many young people face.
Paste Magazine
A debut that’s as stunning as it is powerful, Aceves’ novel is a story is a complex story about family and friendships. Don’t sleep on this one.
Booklist
A story that will have readers cheering by the end. An inspirational read.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Effective, and there’s a refreshing subversion of literary expectation...The accessible writing brings this story to a wide range of readers.
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Aceves has written a remarkable debut novel. Every reader will enjoy Aceves’s deft handling of this coming-of-age journey. The Closest I’ve Come will be a welcome addition to the growing cannon of quality urban young adult literature.
B&N Teen Blog
It takes about half a page of this debut to become convinced Aceves is an author to watch, but there’s no point at which you’ll want to put down his strongly voiced coming-of-age, perfect for fans of When I Was the Greatest.
Sonia Patel
A brilliant, subtle debut.
Booklist
A story that will have readers cheering by the end. An inspirational read.
Bookish.com
[E]xplores the nuances of class and ethnicity through the eyes of a hero that readers will love rooting for.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Effective, and there’s a refreshing subversion of literary expectation...The accessible writing brings this story to a wide range of readers.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Effective, and there’s a refreshing subversion of literary expectation...The accessible writing brings this story to a wide range of readers.
School Library Journal
10/01/2017
Gr 9 Up—Marcos Rivas's mother doesn't care about him and never has. She allows her racist boyfriend to abuse the 15-year-old and spends her money on vodka instead of replacing Marcos's holey sneakers and tattered T-shirts. A checked-out mother isn't the only challenge facing the teen, who is growing up in the impoverished neighborhood of Maesta. Marcos typically doesn't even try at school; with no one to believe in him, why would he believe in himself? When a teacher recommends him for a class geared toward underachieving, bright students, he initially assumes his usual prankster role, refusing to learn. Slowly, Marcos begins to realize that while the people you think should care the most might fail you, there are others who won't. A group of quirky and loyal friends and a couple of supportive teachers ultimately provide what his mother cannot: a sense of family and the inspiration to try. The theme of finding family in unexpected places is valuable, and heavy subject material is balanced by ample doses of comedy. The book's nuanced character development is noteworthy, especially as evidenced in Marcos's attitudes toward his evolving friendship with Amy, his major girl crush. While romance features in the novel, it doesn't tie up neatly, lending greater verisimilitude to the work. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Jason Reynolds and for readers who appreciate gritty and introspective realistic fiction with a sense of humor.—Melissa Williams, Berwick Academy, ME
DECEMBER 2017 - AudioFile
Christian Barillas’s touching and quiet performance capture the ups and downs of teenager Marcos Rivas. Raised in a low-income Tampa neighborhood, Marcos spends most of his time in his head, navigating his tough home life and hiding emotions his peers would taunt him for having. When Marcos joins the Future Success program, he begins to confront the social norms he’s grown up with. At the same time, he develops a crush on a headstrong punk girl. Aceves’s debut features a poignant first-person point of view that sounds confessional when paired with Barillas’s intimate tone. Barillas has an impressive range; the way he hits accents adds a layer of dazzling authenticity to his performance. Listeners will empathize with Marcos and celebrate his newfound optimism. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
