Riding Invisible

February 8, 2010
Written in diary form with poems and comic book–style drawings scattered throughout, Alonzo’s (Gallop-O-Gallop
) first novel presents 15-year-old Yancy Aparicio’s account of life on the road—with his cherished horse, Shy. After Yancy’s mentally troubled older brother attacks Shy, Yancy runs away, heading out into the California desert and filling his journal with his observations, interactions, and reflections. His nearly three-week journey might seem implausible to some, but there’s a timeless, noble quality to Yancy’s wanderings. His narrative has the scattered, frustrated tone of a teenager desperate to vent and who is slowly realizing what he’s gotten himself into (“A few months ago, Mom and I watched an old black-and-white Western movie. It was so lame with this cowboy on the run from the law, but shit, that guy was prepared! I mean he wasn’t eating pretzels for dinner”). While his voice can feel uneven, vacillating between polished thoughts and rougher play-by-plays of events as they happen, Yancy’s friendship with a Mexican ranch worker and his family’s genuine desperation give the book emotional resonance. Ages 12–up.

February 1, 2010
Grades 7-10 Alonzos first novel features the sort of likable, embattled narrator that brings to mind Arnold Spirit from Sherman Alexies The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007), but instead of being tormented by negative stereotypes and poverty, 15-year-old Yancys primary source of misery comes from his nearly sociopathic older brother, Will. The story is told entirely in diary form, complete with a handwriting-styled font and plenty of cartoony drawings (again reminiscent of Alexies book). After Will, who suffers from conduct disorder, violently threatens Yancys horse, teen and horse take off into the California desert. There, they encounter a kind Mexican worker, who helps Yancy begin to size up the challenges of living with his brother and the toll that it is taking upon the entire family. Alonzo skillfully handles teetering family dynamics, equestrian details, and the undertones of immigration and class, which add realistic depth. The resolution leaves a bevy of challenges and plenty of food for thought about family dysfunction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)