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50books_poc2009-07-26 06:47 pm
anitabuchan.livejournal.com) wrote in 50books_poc2009-07-26 06:47 pm
Entry tags:
Getting It and Where The Streets Had A Name
17. Getting It by Alex Sanchez
Getting It centers on 15-year-old Carlos Amoroso, who is not only a virgin but has never even been kissed. He has a crush on a girl named Roxy, and after watching Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, decides he needs a gay guy to give him a makeover. He asks Sal, a senior at his school, and Sal agrees - but only if Carlos helps him set up a Gay-Straight Alliance at their school.
I enjoyed the way Carlos changed over the course of the book. At the start he was fairly homophobic, and was embarrassed to be seen even talking to Sal. He also struggled to stand up for himself, against his friends and family, and had a whole bundle of insecurities. Seeing him grow in confidence, and seeing him start to genuinely support Sal, was lovely. It's a bit different from mmost of Sanchez's books, focusing on a straight character, but if you like his books you'll probably like this too.
18. Where The Streets Had A Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah
13-year-old Hayaat lives in Bethlehem. Her family used to own an olive grove, but were forced to leave by settlers, and now the six of them live in a small two-bedroom flat. Not long before the events of the book, Hayaat was caught up in a protest. Her best friend was killed by a rubber bullet, and Hayaat left badly scarred.
Now, her sister is preparing for her wedding, while her grandmother is ill after a stroke. Hayaat believes she could save her grandmother's life if she brings her a handful of soil from the Jerusalem garden she left behind years before - it's just a few miles away, but in between is the Wall. Hayaat and her friend Samy set out on a mission to find the soil.
I think this is my favourite of Abdel-Fattah's books. It's more depressing, but I think better-written than the other two. It tries to show the effect curfews, checkpoints, travel restrictions and the Wall have on daily life in Palestine. Hayaat herself is likeable, although I think I prefer her friend Samy.
One thing that did make me go WTF, unconnected to the book: on the back of the UK cover, they've managed to spell her name wrong. 'Hyaat'. In big letters along the top. Seriously, shouldn't they have someone who checks that sort of thing?
Getting It centers on 15-year-old Carlos Amoroso, who is not only a virgin but has never even been kissed. He has a crush on a girl named Roxy, and after watching Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, decides he needs a gay guy to give him a makeover. He asks Sal, a senior at his school, and Sal agrees - but only if Carlos helps him set up a Gay-Straight Alliance at their school.
I enjoyed the way Carlos changed over the course of the book. At the start he was fairly homophobic, and was embarrassed to be seen even talking to Sal. He also struggled to stand up for himself, against his friends and family, and had a whole bundle of insecurities. Seeing him grow in confidence, and seeing him start to genuinely support Sal, was lovely. It's a bit different from mmost of Sanchez's books, focusing on a straight character, but if you like his books you'll probably like this too.
18. Where The Streets Had A Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah
13-year-old Hayaat lives in Bethlehem. Her family used to own an olive grove, but were forced to leave by settlers, and now the six of them live in a small two-bedroom flat. Not long before the events of the book, Hayaat was caught up in a protest. Her best friend was killed by a rubber bullet, and Hayaat left badly scarred.
Now, her sister is preparing for her wedding, while her grandmother is ill after a stroke. Hayaat believes she could save her grandmother's life if she brings her a handful of soil from the Jerusalem garden she left behind years before - it's just a few miles away, but in between is the Wall. Hayaat and her friend Samy set out on a mission to find the soil.
I think this is my favourite of Abdel-Fattah's books. It's more depressing, but I think better-written than the other two. It tries to show the effect curfews, checkpoints, travel restrictions and the Wall have on daily life in Palestine. Hayaat herself is likeable, although I think I prefer her friend Samy.
One thing that did make me go WTF, unconnected to the book: on the back of the UK cover, they've managed to spell her name wrong. 'Hyaat'. In big letters along the top. Seriously, shouldn't they have someone who checks that sort of thing?