Disney/Hyperion Books. 2008.
ISBN: 978-142310306-6.
$8.99. Paperback. 316 pages.
Reader’s Annotation
Frankie Towers has always admired his older brother Steve, but when Steve begins hanging out with the local cholos Frankie starts to think that maybe Steve is taking gaining respect a little too far.
Plot Summary
Growing up in the town of Borges, New Mexico has its ups and downs. 16 year-old Frankie Towers has a crush on Rebecca Sanchez. He wants to ask her to the homecoming dance, but before he gets up the nerve, senior John Dalton has already asked. Frankie’s older brother Steve Towers is a star athlete, can get a date anytime, and has a college scholarship waiting for him. Yet, Steve wants to earn the respect of the neighborhood cholos too. He spends more time with his new friends than his family, trying to learn to be a man by demanding respect from his peers and fighting. Frankie doesn’t understand it and he never tells his parents when Steve begins to stay out all night. Frankie’s best friend, one-eyed Zach is on his case too. As Frankie and Rebecca become closer Zach feels left out until he begins dating. Frankie never expects to be drawn into the race and gang problems of his town, but when the bullying John Dalton and his buddies give him a beating, big brother Steve demands that Frankie retaliate. When Rebecca discovers that John beat Frankie, she snubs him, and decides to go to the homecoming dance with Frankie after all. It doesn’t help that the Dalton family is buying the local restaurants, including his Mom and Dad’s Los Torres restaurant. Meanwhile, Steve grows further from his family and deeper into gang life with dire consequences. Frankie discovers that family and friends are more important than respect and revenge.
Critical Evaluation
Voorhees’ characters are realistically presented. Frankie’s teenage voice and his problems are accurately portrayed. It is his brother, Steve’s increasing desire for respect amongst his peers that galvanizes Frankie’s growth in the novel, and Steve’s eventual failure. The additional characters: Zach, Rebecca and Flaco are clearly drawn and represent a more levelheaded aspect to the novel. It is the character of the bully John Dalton that is never fully developed. Just like the bad boy films of the 80s his rich jock character never grows beyond being a bully. It would have been nice to see this character becoming more, just as Frankie and Steve grow in understanding. The other bad guys in this book, the cholos, are generic gang members at best. We never read much about them beyond several scenes involving Steve and Flaco, but we understand just how bad these dudes are when Flaco refuses to become involved leaving his friendship with Steve behind for a time. Laced with mild swearing and Spanglish the novel is entertaining and worthwhile reading.
Information about the author
There is little bibliographic material available on this author. You can see a trailer for the book at http://coertvoorhees.blogspot.com/, and find out a little more about the author at http://coertvoorhees.com/CoertVoorhees.html.
Genre(s)
Contemporary life, Issues
Curriculum ties
Health and Sexuality, Anti-gang information
Challenge Issues
Sexuality, gangs, violence, underage drinking, race and class
Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Torres-Coert-Voorhees/dp/1423103068/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256763423&sr=8-1.
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens who have read it.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss how Frankie wants to take Rebecca to the homecoming dance, but has trouble asking her.
2. Discuss the relationship between the brothers. Frankie and Steve are brothers but Steve seems to have more opportunities than Frankie.
3. Talk about gangs. Steve wants the respect of the cholo gang, but he is unprepared for the cost.
4. Talk about the highschool social hierarchy. There is a definitely social hierarchy in Frankie’s high school. Is this a reflection of your school?
Reading Level/Age
Young adult. Ages 16 and up
Why you included this title
This book is a YALSA “Top 100 in 2009” book choice.
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