The Lost

December 1, 2011

Gr 9 Up-These books follow a group of teens at Cesar Chavez High School. In The Lost, Carmen Ibarra is infatuated with Paul Morales, but her family disapproves of him. He has no family, is street smart, has a snake tattoo, and his best friends look like gang members. Carmen discards these concerns and dates him anyway. In Leap of Faith, Ernesto Sandoval sees Cruz Lopez running from a robbery. Cruz is one of Paul Morales's best friends, so Ernesto decides to talk to Paul before going to the police. A few days later a store clerk is shot in the head during a robbery, and the shooter fits the description of the previous thief. Ernesto is beside himself. If he had told the police about Cruz, maybe this wouldn't have happened. By the end, everything is sunshine and roses for everyone. Only good things seem to happen to the characters, their friends, and families. Paul turns out to be a great guy. Cruz is innocent and Ernesto is elected senior class president. The books appear to be gritty from the covers and series title, but only secondary characters deal with tough situations. They are dialogue-driven and written for reluctant readers and students reading below their grade level. Recommended for libraries where the "Bluford High" series (Scholastic) is popular.-Erik Carlson, White Plains Public Library, NY

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