The Brothers Torres is set in Borges, New Mexico where it may look and feel different compared to where you live, but the universal themes of brothers, family relationships, school, peer pressure, a first girlfriend and changing friendships are the same experience of teens everywhere. Frankie, the younger brother, is easily identifiable, as he could be attending your school.
Readers will root for him as he tries to remain loyal to himself and his family as his older brother/school soccer superstar makes new friends who take him away from the decent, hard-working upbringing that they have shared till now. You will find yourself laughing, wincing and shedding a tear for Frankie as he does his best to do the right thing for his family, best friend and new girlfriend under difficult circumstances.The colloquial Mex-Tex phrases throughout the book add street-reality to the story, as Frankie is forced to mix with the gang that he is trying to save his brother from. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I really enjoyed reading this book, and would certainly recommend it for older teens who are interested in looking into a life both similar to and different from their own.
Oh, and there are some spectacular fire ant-hill explosions and mouth-wateringly vivid descriptions of the authentic Mexican dishes on Los Torres menu. SM
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