In the Break

November 1, 2006
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 aunts trailer in Mexico, where his friend can stay until things cool down. He steals his mothers 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 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2006
Following" Cholos and Surfers "(1998), a collection of personal essays published for adults, Lopez's debut novel for teens is set in the same Southern California surf culture. After his best friend, Jamie, gravely wounds his abusive stepfather in a fight, 15-year-old Juan takes his mother's car and drives Jamie down the Californiacoast. Amber, Jamie's beautiful sister, joins them, and what was intended to be a short trip to gain perspective turns into a wild, soul-searching surfing expedition, running from the consequences of Jamie's actions and toward the perfect wave. This feels like a first novel: flashback scenes aren't always well integrated, and the voice is occasionally self-conscious and uneven. The language is sometimes trash-talk rough, too, as the guys trade off-color jokes. But these details, along with some sex scenes (nongratuitous) contribute to Lopez's authentic view of teen boys precariously balanced between childhood and adult life. The real draw, though, is the surfing, and Lopez, who has surfed competitively, offers a rare awe-inspiring feeling of riding the waves.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)