Review By: Ellen Pristash
Published: 2022; Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Genre: Asian American Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Friendship Fiction, High School Fiction, Popularity Fiction, Love Fiction, Romance Fiction, Family Fiction
Audience: 9, 10, 11, 12
Triggers: There is some very mild language, but it does not distract from the storyline.
Summary: Gary Võ is one of the few Vietnamese kids in his school and has been shy for as long as he can remember—being ignored and excluded by his classmates comes with the territory. So when the most popular guy in his grade offers Gary the opportunity to break into his inner circle, Gary jumps at the chance. All he needs to do is steal the prized possession of the most beautiful and untouchable girl they know—Gloria Buenrostro. But as Gary gets to know Gloria, he’s taken in by her authenticity and genuine interest in who he really is. Soon, they’re best friends. Being part of the “in crowd” has always been Gary’s dream, but as he comes closer to achieving infamy, he risks losing the first person who recognizes his true self. Gary must consider if any amount of popularity is worth losing a true friend.
Review: This was a good, solid, fun, and honest read about friendships, fitting in/being popular, peer pressure, and staying true to your beliefs. It is told through the eyes of a male character, a Vietnamese American boy, which is a nice change. Gary’s only real friend is Preston, and they are only friends because their mom’s worked at the same restaurant, became friends, both were single, and stepped up for each other when childcare was needed. The two boys are the outcasts of their high school and desperately want to be part of the “in crowd”. There’s a secret guy’s club that Preston, more than Gary, wants to in and would do just about anything to be part of the club. To be part of the in crowd, they need to steal something from the most (perceived) popular Mexican American girl in school, Gloria Buenrostro. They need to steal the bracelet she always wears. A chance encounter at a local store, a pothole which damages Gloria’s bike, and Gary’s tandem bike together the two together. They ride together all summer, making deliveries so her mom can make a living, all while getting to know each other and escaping from fun trouble, too. Gary struggles with the idea of stealing the bracelet after learning that it was a special gift from her father. A father she doesn’t live with since her parents are split. He does steal her bracelet and feels awful about it. Gary knows giving the bracelet back means not being in the club, losing Preston as a friend (but were they ever really friends), and maybe losing a true friend in Gloria. The themes are well laid out, especially how the toxic “I’m better than you” attitudes versus the need to be genuine are portrayed. It is not a difficult read. There is some very mild language, but it does not distract from the storyline. It’s a story many kids can see themselves in. I think it’s a book that girls would pick up on their own just because of the cover (it features Gloria with a small image of Gary) but a boy probably wouldn’t.
