looking at reviews of this book now, i'm surprised by how many people are saying that it's "too slow for today's teens" or "not developed enough for today's teens" or "not exciting enough for today's teens." but are these people teens? no. they are not.

let the teens decide.

of course, i had my own problems with this book, namely that it was supposed to be set in the 60's or 70's and it really really didn't feel like it. the language and some of the plot screamed "present day." add that to the fact that characters seem to go against what you think they would do if they were real people, with startling regularity, and it just wasn't doing it for me. ( )

This is a young adult novel by a beloved, gifted author. He will be missed! It is an enjoyable read for adult readers. ( )

Rico Fuentes tiene 15 años, vive en Harlem y es norteamericano de primera generación. Estamos a finales de los 60 del pasado siglo. Su padre y su madre son cubanos, de procedencia muy modesta y oscuros de tez; su hermana pequeña es también mulata. El padre, que trabaja en dos lugares distintos para sacar adelante la familia, tiene problemas con el alcohol. Rico es de piel blanca y cabellos rubios y se ve sometido por ello, tanto en el barrio como en la escuela, al acoso permanente de quienes lo consideran un dark dude. La expresión despectiva que designa a un latino o un afroamericano de piel tan clara que parece casi un whitey o un pinky, términos con los que las personas de estas comunidades designan a los blancos. Pero no se trata solo de una cuestión terminológica, porque si eres un dark dude estarás sometido al continuo acoso de quienes pretenden arrebatarte el dinero que suponen que tienes, tu dignidad o tu coraje. ( )

RGG: The back cover summary may be a bit misleading. This is a coming-of-age story, an identity story. While Rico's specific issues may be different than Huck Finn's (Rico's favorite story) or Holden Caulfield, this is an hispanic urban retelling of these stories. The time period is the 60's, but not so overtly, and Rico is Cuban-American, but not exclusively. Reading Interest: YA for drug use, smoking, drinking.

RGG: The back cover summary may be a bit misleading. This is a coming-of-age story, an identity story. While Rico's specific issues may be different than Huck Finn's (Rico's favorite story) or Holden Caulfield, this is an hispanic urban retelling of these stories. The time period is the 60's, but not so overtly, and Rico is Cuban-American, but not exclusively. Reading Interest: YA for drug use, smoking, drinking.