Gabriel Arquilevich

These pages hold a masterful balance of tough themes, humor, friendship and heart, which will have the thought-gears turning while producing snorts and giggles along the way.

Grape's best friend is off on vacation for a few weeks, according to the mother, but that doesn't stop Grape from writing him letters. After all, Grape has somehow escaped being sent to a school for difficult boys, has been placed in Advanced English, has a class with his crush, and even has a new friend (of sorts), which might cause him to get into more trouble than he already does himself. Add tons more problems, and Grape is in for another, huge adventure.

Grape is a bit of a trouble-maker, but he is impossible not to love. He, actually, has a heart of gold but just keeps running into issues...and babbles non-stop thanks to other reasons. His mind is all over the place, but then, his life doesn't make things easier as his best friend moves away, his crush has eyes for another guy, and someone is egging him into causing even more issues than he usually gets himself into. He's simply wonderful to follow, and it's a treat to listen to all the directions his mind constantly wanders.

There is a ton of humor in these pages, and it's the more realistic kind, which holds such familiarity that it hits home. Readers will have no problem connecting with Grape and all of the obstacles he faces—self-created and not. Then, add the tougher themes, and this becomes a book full of richness and depth...but still, keeps that light-hearted, funny, heart-touching atmosphere. It's quick and furious and impossible not to enjoy from beginning to end. Because a ton happens....and I do mean a ton.

The length of this one, at around 160 pages, also makes it great for more reluctant readers. It's an easy read, holds lots of dialogue, and never lets the information or details drag down. Instead, something is always happening, and Grape's mind is all over the place. Add the great messages of family, friendship, peer-pressure, first love and such, and classrooms and homeschoolers will even enjoy this one.
I received an ARC copy and liked this second adventure even more than Grape's first.… (más)

Bitter-sweetness and a touch of humor make this a tale which touches the heart and proves there's more to trouble than just being mean.

Grape is in trouble again, but this time, he's suspended from school for two weeks. The principal hasn't decided whether to let Grape return or send him of to a school for problem children. Grape's one chance is to write down his memories of the times he's gotten in trouble over the years. And there are some big ones to chose from. But as he writes, he might discover more than the unfairness in all of it.

While starting and ending with the usual story scenes, the rest of these pages constitute Grape's journal. It takes place in the 1970's with a boy who tries his best to work with people, but they never seem to work with him back. In the end, the spiders talk in his head and things go wacky or simply wrong. Each episode is a mixture of humor and heart-aching consequences. Grape's mistakes are clear. Still, he never has ill intentions...not mean, anyway. He, like many kids, ends up finding himself in situations which blur the lines of rules, necessities or desire. Readers will understand Grape's problems and feel for him, while clearly seeing what exactly went wrong and why.

Grape isn't a normal kid. This is never directly said but becomes clear as the tale goes on. It's never said what exactly his problem is (outside of an accident which leaves a cracked skull when he's very young), only that he has spiders which wiggle and talk in his head when they shouldn't. It's a gentle way to help readers understand those who might be a bit different. It makes a great read for especially for the classroom environment and is sure to bring new awareness and insights into understanding those around us.

I received an ARC copy and enjoyed it quite a bit. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.… (más)