James Acker

The story is a coming-of-age romance between two high school athletes in New Jersey. Sebastian Villeda, known as "Bash the Flash", and Sandro Miceli, called the "Italian Yeti", know of one another from school but they move in different circles in spite of them both being athletes. Black and Mexican "Bash" is a track captain, and Italian American Sandro, is a field captain, but they are as different as night and day...at least in the ways they’re perceived by most people. "Bash" has lost his mother, and since he started exploring the Spanish language, he has a word for how he feels: cansado, or tired, weary, or miserable, take your pick. His White stepfather works nights, so the two don’t spend much time together. Sandro, on the other hand, has a large family, but amid the crowded, noisy chaos of eight family members sharing a single bathroom, his overworked parents hardly ever talk to him. As the two seniors come together, they realize they have more in common than they’d thought, and an unlikely friendship starts turning into something more. The boys’ backgrounds and upbringings are fresh and intriguing and really lets us see the characters for who they wish to become. At times it did seem that they lacked the depth you would expect from two people in love, causing their relationship to lack the expected chemistry. It is NOT in any way a bad or uninteresting book. and it is a Young Adult novel, so perhaps I'm viewing it with a different perspective than a 16-year-old would. It is a beautiful story of love and friendship, and I'm glad my library gave my group of kids a chance to meet "Bash" and "Sandro".… (meer)

Both Dro and Bas have communication issues with nearly everyone in their lives at the beginning of this book and I enjoyed watching their growing friendship provide a safe space for each of them to open up about issues they were facing. I liked that the end of the book was realistic unlike a hallmark movie (you will understand when you read it). I also liked that by the end of the book Bas seemed to have figured out who the real Bas was and who he wanted Bas to continue being.

Overall, an enjoyable book and I will definitely read more of James Acker's books in the future.… (meer)