Deep+in+the+Heart+of+High+School

Discussion page for //Deep in the Heart of High School.// **__THIS TITLE NEEDS READERS__**

I liked this book more than I expected to from reading the book jacket. It follows the lives of three friends who have bonded through marching band at their San Antonio, TX high school--shy Olivia, whose father died a few years ago; Vanna, who used to be cool when she lived outside of Dallas but was recently forced to move after her father cheated on her mother and they divorced; and Fatima Garcia, the daughter of Mexican immigrants who can't get her mother to stop nagging her about losing weight. They are also friends with a boy in band named Alex, who has feelings for Fatima (but he doesn't tell her this). The boy issues are nicely balanced with friend and family issues, and there are good messages that fit nicely into the story without judging or shoving it down the reader's throat. I would recommend this for the final list. Caitlin Stevens, Bedford Public Library

I decided to read this book based on Caitlin's review. I did indeed like the story. The three friends all have a problem they need to learn to accept. In the end, they all do. It's a neatly put together story, that resolves happily. To me, even though the characters are freshman in high school the book reads more like a middle school interest level. This would be more appropriate for the Isinglass award. Michele Garneau, Salem Kelley Library.