Stork, Francisco X. Marcelo in the Real World. New York : Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009. Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork is the story of a 17 year old boy with an Asperger’s-like condition making his way from a sheltered environment into the “real world”. Marcelo’s father insists that he take a summer job in his law firm instead of staying on at his therapeutic pony riding school in order to experience mainstream life. Marcelo is reluctant but does his best. Being in the real world forces Marcelo to step out of his comfort zone-especially when it comes to interacting with other people. He ends up having to face several ethical dilemma’s including his father’s questionable personal injury case, office politics and a situation with his new friend and potential girlfriend, Jasmine, being pursued by another lawyer’s seedy son. Marcelo soon realizes that the world is not so black and white as he once thought and takes what he learns to plan a rewarding future for himself.
The critical response to Marcelo was very favorable. Publisher’s Weekly stated it had “artfully crafted characters” and “Stork introduces ethical dilemmas, the possibility of love, and other “real world” conflicts, all the while preserving the integrity of his characterizations and intensifying the novel’s psychological and emotional stakes. Not to be missed.”
The New York Times Sunday Book Review said, “…in the hands of Francisco X. Stork, 17-year-old Marcelo Sandoval is the bravest, most original hero I’ve met in years” and "the reader’s conflict-rooting for Marcelo to succeed yet unsure what success actually means for him-energizes “Marcelo in the Real World,” a brisk, brilliant, unsentimental novel…”
Besides garnering favorable reviews, Marcelo in the Real World won many awards and recognition. A few notable ones are:
Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2009
2009 Amazon Top Ten Books for Teens
School Library Journal Best Books for 2009
YALSA Best Book for Young Adults, 2010
I agree with the reviewers that Marcelo in the Real World is an excellent book. It was very readable and had compelling characters and story. Besides being an easy and enjoyable book to read, the perspective of an Asperger’s teen and the morality issues that were raised make it an important subject. I enjoyed reading it as an adult and will pass it onto my teenage daughters. I wouldn’t have many concerns for readers ages 13 and up. There was some minor language and women as sex objects but both were handled aptly by the author.
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