Emilio

June 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-A suspenseful tale of a teenager caught in a world beyond his control, this well-researched novel touches on the turbulent trials of a young man surrounded by drug violence in Mexico City. The seemingly ordinary life of high school student Emilio Garcia Lopez is turned upside-down with one knock on his door. It is his cousin Juanita, a police officer, accompanied by an officer from the federal police. They inform Emilio that his mother has gone missing and they suspect that she has been kidnapped by a drug gang. The gang is demanding ransom, as they mistook Emilio's mother for being a wealthy business tycoon. The initial terror that the teen experiences from this bad news is just the beginning of the struggle to bring her home. This work explores the dark worlds and fears that are the reality for some of today's children. It is part of a series that aims to tell the stories of young people in conflict zones throughout the world. Although Emilio's tale is fictional, it is clear that Masson used news reports and other research to craft this novel. The author writes in a readable way, and the book's short, suspenseful chapters help propel readers. Also included are a time line of the drug conflicts in Mexico and a glossary of Spanish words. VERDICT Recommended for classroom discussions of real-world issues and YA collections in need of strong narratives with Latino protagonists.-Kevin McGuire, Woodland Hills School District, PA

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