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September 2026 - A Day at the Beach
By Kristen · 5 posts · 46 views
By Kristen · 5 posts · 46 views
last updated Sep 07, 2025 06:50PM
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August Read - Marcelo in the Real World
By Kristen · 10 posts · 76 views
By Kristen · 10 posts · 76 views
last updated Sep 06, 2009 09:24PM
What Members Thought
This is a well-written, thoughtful story about Marcelo, a highly functioning 17-year old with Aspeger's syndrome. Marcelo leaves the comfortable world of his special high school and takes a job in his father's law office, or "the real world." As you might expect, the real world is not always the kindest, easiest place to function. Marcelo learns a lot of unpleasant truths about the ways of the world, including information about his father that he may wish he never knew.
The hardest part about re ...more
The hardest part about re ...more
I ought to have reviewed this while it was fresh in my mind, because it's an excellent older YA and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see it pick up some awards, or at least be considered. It's almost a five-star book in my mind, although I didn't quite fall head over heels for it. But it's a meaty book with a lot going on. First, it's fascinating to see the world through Marcelo's eyes, and it almost makes you feel like an anthropologist in your own culture. Then there's a bit of a legal drama
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Marcelo is a 17 year old with Asperger Syndrome. He has had a postive educational experience in a school for students with special needs from kindergarten through junior year. His father has decided that he should spend his senior year at a regular high school. The only way that Marcelo can return to his beloved special needs school is if successfully works at his father's law firm for the summer. A compelling and touching story with life lessons for all of us.
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Anyone who compares this to Curious Incident... is just a jerk because it's completely different. It just so happens to have a character with a mild form of autism. Great story, great narrator, and one of my top picks for this year's Newbery Medal!
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A powerful book that I'm so glad I finally had the chance to read about a boy who's different and is forced to live in the "real world" for a summer working at his dad's law firm. Marcelo learns not only about love and friendship, but suffering and the "ugly parts" of people. LOVED it!
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I thought the VT subplot was unnecessary and why the crude language from the stereotypical farmers? It left a bad taste in my mouth.
I am completely enamored with this book. The narrator, Marcelo, who has an autism-spectrum condition, is a unique and fresh perspective on the world. The supporting characters are well drawn and interesting. Marcelo's evolution throughout the book and his effect on those around him are touching and compelling. A definite must-read!
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I really, really wanted to like this, but I was bored stiff...maybe it's the audio narrator
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Nov 03, 2009
CLM
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Nov 12, 2009
Ann-Marie
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Feb 02, 2010
Dana
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Jenny
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Sep 16, 2011
Astrid Lim
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Mar 20, 2012
Jennifer
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Nov 17, 2012
Melinda Caldwell
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Dan
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