Marcelo in the Real World
by Francisco X. Stork

    MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD by Francisco X. Stork
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  3/1/09
    Publisher:  Arthur A. Levine
    Reviewed by:  Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen
    Rating:  4 Stars


    Marcelo is seventeen and has an Asperger's-like condition.  He goes to a special school and has a summer job lined
    up caring for the therapy horses at his school.  But Marcelo’s father has other plans - he wants Marcelo to
    experience the real world.  

    He gets Marcelo a job working in the mail room of his law firm.  Marcelo isn’t interested in working at the law firm,
    but his father makes him a deal - survive in the real world and he won’t have to go to the public high school his father
    would like him to attend for his senior year.  

    While working at the firm, Marcelo uncovers secrets, experiences friendship, fights a battle for justice, and learns
    about the real world.

    I was first drawn to this book because of Marcelo - I was interested in reading a book written from the perspective
    of a character with Asperger’s.  I thought it would be a story about Marcelo navigating the real world, but there was
    so much more.  Marcelo finds himself faced with tough decisions, and fighting a battle between what’s right and
    wrong, and I think anyone can relate to his struggles.  There’s some mystery, some romance, and even some religious
    searching all packed in these pages.  

    Marcelo hears internal music and music is a connection for Marcelo and Jasmine, his co-worker in the mail room.  
    This novel is beautifully written and there were times I could hear the music in Marcelo’s words.  I also enjoyed the
    fact that the book is written in first person from Marcelo’s point of view.  It was interesting to get inside Marcelo’s
    head and understand how he processed things.

    Jasmine is an inspiration.  She’s patient, she’s kind, and she’s smart.  We could all hope to be like Jasmine, especially
    when dealing with people who are “different.”  

    If you want to see the real world through new eyes, be sure to pick up a copy of MARCELO IN THE REAL
    WORLD.