The Closest I've Come

Marcos Rivas, a high school sophomore in a tough Tampa neighborhood, struggles to navigate life with an abusive stepfather and a mother who works long hours. He maintains a tough exterior at school while secretly yearning for academic success and genuine connection. A new afterschool program introduces Marcos to students from different backgrounds, including Amy, who sparks his interest in both romance and self-improvement. Through these new relationships, he begins to question the limited options he previously saw for his future. The story follows Marcos as he balances his home life, street-smart friends, new academic pursuits, and growing feelings for Amy. His decisions become increasingly complex as these different worlds intersect. This coming-of-age novel explores themes of masculinity, socioeconomic barriers, and the challenge of breaking cycles of hardship. Through Marcos's perspective, readers witness how small opportunities can expand one's view of what's possible.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of Marcos Rivas's life in a tough neighborhood, with many noting how the book addresses poverty, toxic masculinity, and identity without feeling preachy. Multiple reviews highlight the natural-sounding dialogue and cultural representation. What readers liked: - Raw, honest depiction of domestic abuse and class struggles - Character development, especially Marcos's growth - Diverse supporting characters with depth - Balance of heavy themes with humor What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some found the ending unsatisfying - A few readers wanted more resolution with certain plot threads Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (100+ ratings) Kirkus Reviews: Starred Review One reader on Goodreads noted: "The voice feels completely authentic - like a real teenager telling his story, not an adult trying to sound young." Several reviewers mentioned appreciating how the book avoids stereotypes while addressing serious issues.

Mexican WhiteBoy by Matt de la Peña A biracial teen navigates identity, baseball, and first love while spending summer in his father's Mexican-American neighborhood.

American Street by Ibi Zoboi A Haitian immigrant faces culture shock and street life in Detroit while pursuing her American dream and searching for her detained mother.

The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera A Puerto Rican teenager works in her family's grocery store in the Bronx to repay a debt while discovering truths about her community and herself.

We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez Three Guatemalan teens undertake a dangerous journey to the U.S. border to escape violence in their hometown.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone A Black high school student writes letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while processing his experiences with racism and police brutality.

🔸 Author Fred Aceves drew from his own experiences growing up in a rough neighborhood in Tampa, Florida, to create the authentic voice and setting of the novel. 🔸 The protagonist Marcos Rivas's struggles with poverty and domestic issues reflect the real circumstances of many teens in America, where approximately 1 in 7 children live in poverty. 🔸 The book earned recognition as a 2017 Junior Library Guild Selection and was named one of the Best YA Books of 2017 by Kirkus Reviews. 🔸 The novel tackles the rarely-discussed topic of male victims of domestic abuse, which affects an estimated 1 in 7 men in the United States. 🔸 The author worked multiple jobs, including as a delivery driver and server, while writing this debut novel, which took him nearly four years to complete.