Author: Ed LeibowitzPublisher:
ISBN: 9781418443832
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 152
Book Description
In the summer of 1942, Roberto Saens is plucked from his pleasant ranch-style life and is thrown onto a frying pan of sizzling conflicts. Conflicts with his aristocratic mother and vivacious sister, conflicts with his best friend, Slinky, a math-whiz friend who manages to get them both in trouble at every turn. Roberto's journey is a painful step into adulthood. He doesn't understand the matter-of-fact way of his city teacher, nor the drastic changes of his family, nor the way some city folk act: some cremate their dead loved one and do not wear black clothing, a sign of respect for the dead; others use all major religions to pray to God. Roberto meets and apple grower, Mr. Zarate, who becomes his mentor and helps Roberto with his math problems. But the friendship spins into chaos when Mr. Zarate dies suddenly, and Roberto blames himself for Mr. Zarate death. The Theme of the story is centered around family values, and the cultivation of long-lasting friendships.