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erine's review
3.0
Efrain is an exemplary student in a school with few success stories. He is trying to get into the ivy league, but is finding it difficult. He needs more SAT prep, but it's expensive, and even with financial aid, he knows he's going to have a hard time paying for any college, much less an ivy league university. So he takes advantage of a convenient opportunity... One of his oldest friends sells drugs, and is willing to hook Efrain up as a dealer.
I enjoyed this story. The point Is a little heavy that one bad decision can have far-reaching consequences, and also that people are complex and rarely are all good or all bad. I found the Spanish phrases irritating, because I often felt left out of the story or the joke, but overall, I liked the characters and enjoyed the plot. The title isn't very good.
Drugs, violence, gangs.
I enjoyed this story. The point Is a little heavy that one bad decision can have far-reaching consequences, and also that people are complex and rarely are all good or all bad. I found the Spanish phrases irritating, because I often felt left out of the story or the joke, but overall, I liked the characters and enjoyed the plot. The title isn't very good.
Drugs, violence, gangs.
jrosenstein's review
4.0
Excellent urban YA fiction that I'm looking forward to purchasing for my library. I think this offers a good opportunity to pry kids away from the street fiction they love. There's drugs and some violence and a hint of sex, and the gritty Bronx setting will appeal to kids from similar neighborhoods. That said, it's all about a boy who's so desperate to go to Harvard he starts selling drugs to get the money. The characters actually seem like real kids and while the end is a little moralistic, overall Quintero captures her milieu extremely well. Full disclosure; I actually met Sofia Quintero; she came to speak at my school as part of the Women's Career Week I organized.
kricketa's review against another edition
3.0
efrain knows better than to help his friend nestor deal drugs, but he needs money for an SAT prep class. he dreams of going to harvard, and it wouldn't hurt to help out his family and spoil his new girlfriend, candace, a little bit. but at what risk does he take this job?
i liked this better than i expected. i imagined a different, preachier ending and what happened was a welcome surprise. however, i never understood what the big deal about harvard was for efrain. it was never fleshed out why he wanted to go to that school so badly. i mean, to some degree, every teen would probably LIKE to go to harvard, but beyond that, what drove him to do something so idiotic? oh well. i enjoyed all the characters of efrain's family & classmates, thought they were well-done.
i liked this better than i expected. i imagined a different, preachier ending and what happened was a welcome surprise. however, i never understood what the big deal about harvard was for efrain. it was never fleshed out why he wanted to go to that school so badly. i mean, to some degree, every teen would probably LIKE to go to harvard, but beyond that, what drove him to do something so idiotic? oh well. i enjoyed all the characters of efrain's family & classmates, thought they were well-done.
annakim's review against another edition
3.0
This is an insightful look at how one person's dream to become a better person may sometimes require him to carry out some dirty deeds in order to achieve that dream. The characters are all depicted realistically and compassionately without judgment for their decisions and behaviors. Though the ending is a bit convenient, it doesn't detract from the overall plot.
krissyronan's review against another edition
4.0
Good story about a teen who aspires to be more than his circumstances. Unfortunately, temptation wins for a while and there are consequences. I enjoyed this story a lot and loved E and his family (especially little sister, Mandy).
sumayyah_t's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it. It felt realistic, and I could really relate to Efrain's emotions and struggles. 4.5 stars, and only then because the ending reminders me of another teen novel I read not too long ago.
arisbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
Efrain's Secret at times seems to have too much going on. The author juggles lots of smaller stories, but the end result while a bit unbelievable is satisfying. There is a dramatic climax that is both expected and unexpected and the ending is not devastating, but it's not either. It's left open as it should be. The multiple stories of Efrain, his family, Nestor and Candace make this novel better and more unique. The story is never a depressing drag, after all it focuses on guys and their conversations are usually pretty funny :) I do think the author was too heavy handed in explaining the college process, but it's important for people to know and if teens aren't learning about how to apply for college from their school counselors than I hope a book like this becomes an indirect resource. The SAT vocab word that heads each chapter is a nice touch.
The characters are all great. Nestor drops out of high school and begins seling drugs to take care of his family, he's funny and really smart. He knows lots of random facts. Candace is a girl Efrain is interested in and she has quite a story. She is a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, her family moved up to the Bronx after the hurricane hit. At first I was confused as to who she was living with (her mother, Mrs. Lamb and her aunt Ms. Lamb), but other than that her story is a great addition to the plot. Candace talks about why people didn't feel the need to leave New Orleans when they heard about the upcoming hurricane and she talks about the chaos that occurred afterward. Reading about the relationship between Candace and Efrain was one of the most delightful parts of the story. They have secrets but they are loyal to each other and they respect each other. In reading about their relationship all I could think about was 'where can I find a guy like Efrain?' Lol (I also wanted to know where I could find a teacher like Senorita Polanco).
The characters are all great. Nestor drops out of high school and begins seling drugs to take care of his family, he's funny and really smart. He knows lots of random facts. Candace is a girl Efrain is interested in and she has quite a story. She is a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, her family moved up to the Bronx after the hurricane hit. At first I was confused as to who she was living with (her mother, Mrs. Lamb and her aunt Ms. Lamb), but other than that her story is a great addition to the plot. Candace talks about why people didn't feel the need to leave New Orleans when they heard about the upcoming hurricane and she talks about the chaos that occurred afterward. Reading about the relationship between Candace and Efrain was one of the most delightful parts of the story. They have secrets but they are loyal to each other and they respect each other. In reading about their relationship all I could think about was 'where can I find a guy like Efrain?' Lol (I also wanted to know where I could find a teacher like Senorita Polanco).
xallroyx21's review
3.0
This was decent for an ya urban lit book. There were things I liked for example the vocab words to start off each chapter. The language seemed authentic for the characters-not forced. A little predictable at the end, but overall I would recommend to reluctant readers.
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