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lannthacker's review against another edition
3.0
Not as compelling as Stork's first work, this is a solid and quiet novel about friendship, hope and death. Pancho has lost everything - his father, his sister, his home, and he feels responsible. He's taken to a boy's school where he meets D.Q., a boy dying of cancer. They develop a friendship that D.Q. hopes can save Pancho from throwing his life away on revenge. Strong Mexican-American characters. Secondary doorway: story.
readwithpassion's review against another edition
5.0
There is just something about Francisco X. Stork. His stories suck me in!
Ignore the cover--this book is incredible. It emanates strength. The beautiful writing will appeal to most any reader.
Ignore the cover--this book is incredible. It emanates strength. The beautiful writing will appeal to most any reader.
milesofbooks_al's review against another edition
4.0
I had my reservations for this book at first. I was in no mood to be in tears by the end of D.Q. and Pancho’s story. And I am very happy to say their story is able to continue on! There was a section of story there when Pancho left Marisol and D.Q. to go kill Bobby Lewis that I thought to myself “OH NO! He’s going to leave, not be able to kill Bobby because he’s going to accept death and become a Death Warrior, and by the time he gets back to share that with D.Q. it will be too late. D.Q. will be gone!” I even had tissues on hand just in case! But I was proven wrong (and I’m happy for that). Whichever way the story would have gone, this is a book I would definitely recommend to a young reader looking for a story of hope, faith, and unfailing friendship. As I write this review, I keep thinking to how I felt after reading John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, which is also a book about kids with cancer and how they remain positive and live everyday to its fullest. These are the kinds of stories, while heartbreaking at times, that I think every kid should have access to. We need to give kids more credit for what they can handle and process. I don’t think you should ever beat around the bush (or as D.Q. would say “pussy-foot”) around such a serious topic and I think Francisco Stork, like John Green, offer a way for kids to be introduced to such topics.
holly_117's review against another edition
3.0
The main characters are D.Q., a 17 year old boy fighting cancer, and Pancho, another 17 year old boy who was recently orphaned when his dad was killed in a freak work accident and his older sister dies under mysterious circumstances. Pancho is obsessed with finding the man he thinks is responsible for his sister's death, but ends up spending his time helping D.Q. D.Q. has his own troubles, his mom abandoned him when he was ten and is trying to force her way back into his life now that she's dealt with her own issues. The two boys have to figure out how to move forward, come what may.
I'd recommend this book to older kids, probably 6th grade (eleven-ish), up to adults.
readerpants's review against another edition
3.0
I'm reserving some judgment on this one -- I'd like to see what smarter, more informed reviewers than I have to say, particularly those from the politicized disability community.
On the one hand, I really liked seeing the range of characters with disabilities in this book. On the other hand, it was hard to avoid the "magical cripple" overtones as D.Q. led Pancho on his path to enlightenment and Pancho mused about how Rosa was like an angel, "on another plane," etc. But then... I don't know, maybe that's really what a guy in his situation would have thought and said? I don't know any siblings of people with developmental disabilities who have that perception of their brother or sister, but maybe it's true for Pancho?
I think that's part of the problem -- none of the characters felt truly developed and rounded to me, so perhaps the fact that none of the characters with disabilities got beyond flat was really indicative of something the book lacked as a whole. The good ones were too good; the bad ones were too bad; Pancho was too obviously drawn, the misunderstood kid with the heart of gold just yearning to be revealed. The story didn't really keep me turning pages either: we knew what Pancho would choose, we know how he'd get there, we even knew how he'd feel at the end. The only question was whether D.Q. would die before the end.
On the one hand, I really liked seeing the range of characters with disabilities in this book. On the other hand, it was hard to avoid the "magical cripple" overtones as D.Q. led Pancho on his path to enlightenment and Pancho mused about how Rosa was like an angel, "on another plane," etc. But then... I don't know, maybe that's really what a guy in his situation would have thought and said? I don't know any siblings of people with developmental disabilities who have that perception of their brother or sister, but maybe it's true for Pancho?
I think that's part of the problem -- none of the characters felt truly developed and rounded to me, so perhaps the fact that none of the characters with disabilities got beyond flat was really indicative of something the book lacked as a whole. The good ones were too good; the bad ones were too bad; Pancho was too obviously drawn, the misunderstood kid with the heart of gold just yearning to be revealed. The story didn't really keep me turning pages either: we knew what Pancho would choose, we know how he'd get there, we even knew how he'd feel at the end. The only question was whether D.Q. would die before the end.
julieanncordero's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this story of friendship, family, loss and love. It was a good story that I’m happy I read.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
A lot to think about in this book. Life is precious.
marmoset737's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love this as much as Marcelo in the Real World, but still a strong book and a great pick for adolescent boys.