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Summary
Marisa's first few days were awkward and lonely. Just like any new school, the kids seemed strange and they all seemed to be looking at her, "the new girl". Is was nothing like her old school where she could slap anyone who gave her a dirty look, here she had to try to remain cool. But everything seemed to be going fine. Her and Rene are getting along and the play is going fine. she got into the chorus. She decided to lose weight and Rene decided to lift some weights. Everything was going fine until Rene's mother found out about her. Rene's mother was a strict mother who kept Rene closed off from the rest of the world. She didn't want her son dating Marisa because she thought it was going to distract him from his school work. Rene than told Marisa that they had to break it off, and after that everything went down hill. The school board found out that Marisa had lied about her address so they had to expel her. So, she went back to her old school; where everyone was surprised to see her. Marisa couldn't believe her bad luck, no more Hamilton Magnet High School , and worst of all, no more Rene. It seemed nothing was going to get better until Rene transferred to her school. Marisa had wore a dress for the first time, and she was expecting the surprise at all. Rene had told her that he had an argument with his mother, who left him with bruises, and decided to live with his father. His father knew that his mother would fight, so he threatened to take her to court for hitting Rene. Marisa was so happy to see Rene that the whole school seemed to disappear. She was happy to see her dorky nerd again. And, as it is in love movies, they had their first snow fall! Quote
"Marisa let her mother speak her mind because her own mind was on Rene. Sure, they would see each other on the sly, but she would miss seeing him daily. She started weeping and turned away when her mother offered her a Kleenex" (Soto 160).Reaction
I picked this quote because it's something that every teenage girl goes through. I can relate to Marisa because the worst part about your first love is your first heart break; and that can be tough to get over. Most teenage girls won't share that with their parents, but Marisa did and I think that it was a good thing that she did. It's hard to go through your first, or any, heart break alone. When Rene's mother was first introduced I knew she was going to be trouble. And i guess that Rene acted anyway a regular teen would. When he called Marisa he told her that he wasn't going to let his mother tear them apart, and for teenagers if it's love they will do anything to be together. I get his mother's concern, but everything she did was uncalled for. I didn't think the book was going to end that way, but I liked how it ended. I just think that the whole "first snow fall with the one you love" theme was unrealistic.
Summary
Marisa is a tough Latino (hispanic) who speaks her mind and doesn't mind fighting, even though her parents beg her not to. The story starts in the middle of action with Marisa skipping school to go see her best friend in the hospital. The guard see's her but he doesn't care. Marisa goes to a school made of Latinos and Blacks, with White and Asian trying to act Latino and Black. So, when she get's to the hospital she asks her friend if she wanted her to beat up and man who put her there. Her best friend Alicia had gotten into a car crash with her boyfriend Roberto. Right after she found out Roberto was cheating on her. Alicia was in the hospital with a broken leg but with a broken heart as well. Marisa couldn't stand to see her in pain, and she promised that Roberto would get what he deserved, but Alicia told her not to do anything. Well, Marisa got caught at the hospital by her mother, but after she got scolded they decided to leave. Marisa said good bye to her friend and was on her way when she ran into Roberto and his friend, Rene, in the hospital lobby. Marisa couldn't contain herself and started to punch Roberto. Her mother was able to get her off him and bring her home. When they were home Marisa's mom told her father that she skipped school but he didn't seem to care. During dinner, Marisa's phone started to ring when she realized that she had the wrong phone. It was Rene's, the boy who was with Roberto. They decided to meet outside her school to exchange phones. When they met up, Marisa couldn't believe her eyes. Rene was the ultimate nerd! She tried to contain herself and not to be mean. After that they went to the park, Marisa didn't know what it was but she started liking Rene. After that she kept waiting for his calls and even decided to change schools and go to Rene's. She described his school of being an all white rich people school. But when she got their she thought that maybe they have the same problems she does and their lives weren't all perfect after all. When she got their she started thinking about how she should tell Rene that he's such a geek and how to "hook up his wardrobe". Make him dress better. While all this is happening, Marisa still have to deal with her weight an losing it. Quote
"Marisa was unfamiliar with her new school, though she suspected that most of the students came from homes where money grew on trees. But she had to admit that she might be wrong. Maybe those money trees were bare and fruitless, and maybe the students had their own fears" (Soto 35).Reaction
I totally agree with the quote above. Sometimes we look at the physical appearance and come up with our conclusion, and most times those physical base conclusions, or even stereotypes are not true. Like the quote says maybe the inside tells a whole different story than what the eyes can see. I also like the fact that the book has a Spanish glossary in the back.
