The Closest I've Come

Marcos Rivas is an observant young teenager. He looks around and understands he is in need of love, a couple more shirts, and change.  He recognizes he is single due to his lack of money. He lives with an abusive step father and in a rundown community in which trouble, drugs, and fatherless children is the norm. Marcos is experiencing an internal battle: his upbringing and surroundings that hinder him and his desire to succeed in life.

He becomes interested in Amy whom is quite different from him. She is a free spirited girl who has blue hair and a boyfriend. This new discovery sends Marcos into a spiral of sadness and hopelessness.

Suddenly, Marcos realizes that his current situation of poverty and abuse is not permanent. He is inspired by his Future Success teacher, Mr. Breckner. Marcos feels wave of support when Mr. Breckner shows him he cares about Marcos education and future. He walks away from the conversation feeling invisible and unstoppable. He stands up to his abusive step father but does receive a beating that sends him to the hospital. Right before his stepdad lays a hand on him, Marcos manages to call 911. He testifies against his stepfather and while in the hospital, Marcos learns that he is a career criminal who will not see the light of day any time soon.

This gives Marcos a new beginning. Marcos focuses on school and in getting good grades. He was once worried about being retained but hard work pays off, and he passes all his classes!          

The Closest I’ve Come is Fred Aceves first novel. He grew up in a community similar to the one described in the book. His life experiences and memories influenced this novel. If you enjoyed this novel’s depiction of the Hispanic culture and its struggles, you will also enjoy Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero. It is about  a young Hispanic teenager that has to learn to deal with difficult and controversial experiences such as her friend Cindy’s pregnancy,  her close friend’s struggle with homosexuality and acceptance, and her father’s meth addiction.   Also, Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street is a must read! Esperanza, the main character lives in a low socio economic community in Chicago. Just like Marcos, Esperanza understood that her community hindered her dreams and wished to leave.       

 Aceves, F. (2017). The closest I've come. New York, NY: Harper Teen.      

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