Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

 

Jay Reguero is soon to be graduating from high school and heading off to the University of Michigan. Spring break of his senior year is approaching, and all he wants to do is play video games with his friend Seth. Jay's life is comfortable with his Philippine born father a nurse, and his American born mother a doctor. Jay's plans change when his father tells him that his cousin Jun was murdered in the Philippines. Tremendous guilt sets in, as Jay hasn't communicated with Jun in four years. Jun sent him letters but he never responded. When he presses his father for more information, he gets nothing. He only knows he was murdered, and that Jun's family didn't have a funeral for him. Jay is angered by his father's indifference and unwillingness to communicate. Jay wants to know more.

Jay learns through his friend Seth that the elected President Duarte has declared war on drugs and has endorsed the vicious murder of anyone associated with drug trafficking. Jun's father, Tito (uncle) Maning is the Manila chief of police, and has disowned his son. Jay out of guilt and anger, persuades his parents to let him go to the Philippines during his spring break. He goes under the guise to re-connect with his Philippine family, but what he really wants is answers. Why was Jun murdered? Why did his family disown him? Why was there no funeral? Could Tito Maning have murdered his own son?

Fast paced and well written, the plot takes some unexpected turns and is not predictable. True to the current situation in the Philippines, the author draws upon his own personal experience, to make this a vivid and realistic portrayal of the politics and life in the island country. Character development is somewhat lacking, but this plot driven novel more than compensates.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 5.3  •  Interest Level: 9-12 • AR Points: 12  •  Lexile Level: 840 •  Publisher: Penguin • Pages: 331 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-0-525-55492-9 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

 

Ten short stories all taking place on the same day, on different streets, as students walk home from Latimer Middle School. 

Stories range from a boy who needs to plot his way home to avoid a dog he's afraid of, to a boy willing to stand up to homophobic bullying being waged against a classmate. While each story is independent, there is some character crossover. Stories are differentiated by the name of the street the students walk on the way home. One story, the one that occurs on Placer St., was particularly touching to me, bringing me to literal tears. 

The stories are sometimes sweet, sometimes humorous, sometimes heartwarming and sometimes heart wrenching. The stories reflect middle school life with all its pathos, and extreme emotions, yet are powerful, each in their own way. Jason Reynold's storytelling and lyrical prose are top notch. Some authors just have a way with words: words that make the ordinary beautiful, words that make you take notice, words that paint a picture. Jason Reynolds is that kind of gifted author.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 4.8  •  Interest Level: 5-9 • AR Points: 5  •  Lexile Level: 750 •  Publisher: Atheneum • Pages: 240 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-1-481-43829-2 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding