My Reaction:
I had no idea what to expect with Marcelo in the Real World when I put it on my list at the beginning of the semester. This was the first book I read, and it started this project off nicely. I really enjoyed this book, particularly the characters within it.
About the Book:
Marcelo hears music that no one else can hear. The music that Marcelo hears is an attribute of what doctors have called an Autism-like condition that they have been unable to specifically identify. Along with the music, Marcelo has a fascination with religion, not just one particular religion, but all religions. These two attributes, along with Marcelo's inability to relate to other people and other characteristics connected to his condition, mean that Marcelo gets to attend a school for students with disabilities. At his school, Marcelo spends most of his time with the horses, leading to a job offer for the summertime. His father, however, has different plans for Marcelo. He thinks that Marcelo should work in his law office for the summer, so that he can get a taste of the "real world."
So Marcelo ends up working in his father's law office for the summer, but he doesn't get a desk job. Instead, he works in the mail room, with Jasmine, his beautiful coworker and mentor. Occasionally, Marcelo gets the chance to help Wendell, the son of one of the other lawyers, work on a big case that the law firm is trying to settle. While working with Wendell, Marcelo discovers a picture of a girl that leads him on a hunt for the truth, where he learns the difference between right and wrong isn't so clear.
On Teaching:
Age Range: 7th-12th Grade
This isn't a book that I would teach as a whole class novel, but I would certainly make sure to have copies in the classroom so I can recommend it to students. It could also be a good lit circle book depending on what kind of unit I'm teaching. This might also make a good read aloud book, especially for middle school students.
Reviews:
"This book is wise and thought-provoking, tense and beautiful. I wish only that there could be more Marcelos in the real world."
--Han Nolan, National Book Award winner for Dancing on the Edge
"Marcelo in the Real World is mesmerizing, a coming-of-age story in the realest sense---leaving the Eden of an extended childhood and slowly awakening to the knowledge of good and evil both outside and within. Marcelo's voice is at once innocent and knowing, and the challenges he faces compelling. There were moments that made me feel as though I were seeing the world for the first time, and, along with Marcelo, wondering how it is to be endured."
--Sara Zarr, National Book Award nominee for Story of a Girl
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