Soon-to-be high school senior Rick hails from a middle-class family in Colorado and is spending the summer with the Romeros, friends of his family who live in Santo Domingo, Mexico. In exchange for an immersive cultural experience, Rick will “work like mules” with the family to help build them a larger home. But nothing has prepared Rick for the hard labor or being the lone “gringo” on the project. Myers (Storyteller
) writes realistically about the culture shock as Rick tries to please and help his hosts, without infringing on their pride (the Romeros cannot afford basic medical treatment, even in emergency situations, whereas Rick is easily able to shell out money, and does: “[W]ouldn't it be worse if I didn't
pay? Wouldn't that offend people more?”). Complicating matters is Rick's relationship with Ellen, a wealthy American girl whose father is livid about her spending time in the Romeros' lower-class neighborhood with Rick. The third-person narrative fails to delve all that deeply into Rick's feelings; for example, Rick's desire to escape his own “family hassles” for the summer is never explained. However, this quick and thought-provoking read should spark discussion. Ages 12–up. (Dec.)
