The Closest I've Come

Children's Book and Media Review Volume 39 Issue 9 Article 63 2018 The Closest I've Come Amanda Bishop Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cbmr BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Bishop, Amanda (2018) "The Closest I've Come," Children's Book and Media Review: Vol. 39 : Iss. 9 , Article 63. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cbmr/vol39/iss9/63 This Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Children's Book and Media Review by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact , . Bishop: The Closest I've Come Book Review The Closest I’ve Come Author Fred Aceves Illustrator Reviewer Amanda Bishop Rating Dependable Level Young Adult Pages 320 Year 2017 Publisher HarperTeen ISBN 9780062488534 Marcos Rivas wants to share all the love he has, but in his neighborhood, emotions stay hidden. Marcos lives in poverty with his neglectful mother and her racist and abusive boyfriend. School isn’t a place where Marcos feels welcome either. It isn’t until he is chosen for a program that helps low-achieving students find their success that Marcos begins to find hope. The only reason Marcos even shows the faintest interest is because of the cute, punk girl he has a crush on. They become close friends, but feelings aren’t reciprocated, and Marcos has to discover that friendships can be more meaningful than romantic relationships. He forges new friendships through the class and learns that he doesn’t need the approval of his mother when there are others in his life who want the best for him. Throughout the school year, Marcos finds the drive inside himself to look toward future success and to do everything he can to escape his rough neighborhood. The Closest I’ve Come is a passionate book that explores the effects of toxic masculinity and personal motivation. This is a great book that explores boyhood and is from the perspective of a young male character. The story is told in first person, and the language is realistic and uses vernacular and slang that truly show the character’s voice. This story explores the hardships of children and young adults growing up in households where adults don’t believe in them and how this alters their own reflection of themselves. Books that explore the complexities of difficult lives of young adults are wonderful for sharing experiences and giving voice to those who don’t feel like they have one. This book is a great example of personal growth and the importance of friendship and finding your place. The Closest I’ve Come is a touching and relatable story, and by the end of it readers will be rooting for Marcos and for his future. *Contains moderate language, violence, and sexual content. Published by BYU ScholarsArchive, 2018 1  (...truncated)