I have to admit that I hesitated to read the newest novel by Francisco X. Stork.
I’ve had it on or near the top of my pile for awhile, but I hesitated.
Because, really, I thought, there’s no way it’s gonna live up to Marcelo.
And that, my friends, is where I was wrong.
This is not to say that my loyalty to Marcelo has wavered.
I have pressed that book into more hands than you can imagine.
But now I’m going to add The Last Summer of the Death Warriors and make it a two-fer.
I do not want to give anything away about this book — either book, really — so instead I’ll just say that the thing I admire most about Stork’s writing is that he is not afraid to allow young adults to be wise. Thoughtful, spiritual, complex and really pretty wise. I love that. I think it’s really respectful and really hopeful. Don’t you?
I do, Liz, I do. You’ve captured what I love about both books. Hope, comfort, wisdom.
I do, Liz, I do. You’ve captured what I love about both books. Hope, comfort, wisdom.
Sold. It’s at the top of my tbr pile!
Sold. It’s at the top of my tbr pile!
yes, i think so too
Hi Liz-
I’d recently read Marcelo, liked it quite a lot, read your words here about Stork’s latest, requested it at the library, and just finished reading it this afternoon. Ohhhh my. Yes. Respectful, hopeful, deep, funny, and full of wisdom and love, despite real hurt and pain. My kinda writer.
Yes, Liz! I recently read Last Summer, too. I think I still prefer Marcelo by a hair, but the depth of Last Summer is amazing, too.
Because of you
Because of YOU Liz, I just read Marcello in the Real World AND Last Summer of the Death Warriors over two days time. I loved both of them. What GIFT that the author could get inside the heads and hearts of these teenagers experiencing life in a way I never have. What GIFT that he expressed it in ways my older mind could resonate with. Thank you for the recommendation. I will act on more of them in the future.