Getting It

Carlos has had a crush on Roxy for ages but his friends (Playboy the total player, Toro the strong, silent type, and Pulga a nice guy, but kind of a follower) are no help. Then he notices that Sal, an older guy reputed to be gay, seems to have no trouble talking to or hanging out with the ladies. He decides to ask Sal for some help a la Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. This takes some guts on his part since his friends (especially Playboy) are known for their gay trash talking.

Sal agrees to help, probably against his better judgment, but only if Carlos agrees to get his friends to stop calling him names and if he helps to set up a Gay-Straight Alliance. Carlos really isnt sure what hes signed himself up for, but he soon finds himself cleaning out his room and getting a makeover. Even his mom notices that hes changing.

Things with Roxy start perking up too but does she want what he wants? Hes really after a girlfriend and it is starting to look like shes just after a hookup (the kind of thing that Playboy is always after). And Playboy keeps giving him lots of grief over his friendship with Sal. Will Carlos be able to take what hes learned and stand up for whats right? Will he stand by Sal? Will he stand up for himself?

Various other situations with his divorced mother and father make Carlos a well-rounded character that readers will definitely root for. Hes a nice guy&hes just not sure what he wants. Sound like anyone you know?

Recommended for readers aged 12 and up, though there is some discussion of sex (hey, the characters are primarily 15 year-old boys&itd be weird if it werent mentioned), so some parents may rather see this book only for 14 and up.

Sanchez is known for his accessible writing and for bringing light to gay issues in a way that isnt at all heavy-handed. Whether you are gay, straight, bi or anything in between, Getting It is a great book with good characters and a message that anyone should be able to get behind: it isnt what you get in life, its what you give.