Norah Piehl (Children's Literature)
Sanchez’s previous novels have focused on older, high school-aged characters coming to terms with their sexuality. With this novel, Sanchez again focuses on a gay main character, but this time it is a younger boy just discovering his sexual orientation. Frederick is the new boy at school, adjusting to more than a few cultural changes after he moves from Wisconsin to a largely Hispanic middle school in Southern California. He has always had trouble making male friends, so he settles in easily with a group of girls calling themselves “the Sexy Six.” One of their leaders, the high-spirited Maria Xiomara (her friends call her Xio), falls hard for Frederick’s “kick-butt blue eyes,” and soon pursues him romantically, determined to have a boyfriend now that she is thirteen. Frederick himself values Xio’s friendship but finds himself more attracted to his soccer-playing buddy Victor. In a decidedly gay-unfriendly environment, can Frederick admit his own feelings and come out to the girl who desires him herself? Frederick’s sexual orientation will not be a surprise to most readers, although a revelation about Xio’s absent father is more unexpected--and largely unnecessary to the plot. Narrated in alternate chapters by Frederick and Xio, the novel’s plot unfolds easily and realistically, as both characters arrive at their revelations independently. 2004, Simon & Schuster, $14.95. Ages 9 to 13.

Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature)
When Frederick moves to a new school, Xio is instantly intrigued by him. She soon strikes up a friendship with Frederick and becomes interested in him romantically. Even though Frederick notices that Xio is beautiful, he finds himself more attracted to Victor, a handsome soccer player. While Frederick struggles with his confused emotions, Xio wonders why he never makes a move on her romantically. At one point, Frederick meets a boy who is teased for being gay away from school. He enjoys talking with him, but hesitates to talk to him at school for fear of being subjected to the same torment. This story is told in alternating chapters from Frederick and Xio's points of view. Both voices are distinct and both realistic for a teenage girl living in a Hispanic culture and a white teenage male trying to figure out his sexual identity. Sometimes funny, other times sad, all the time touching, So Hard to Say is brilliant in the counterpoint views of a homosexual male and heterosexual female. 2004, Simon and Schuster, $14.95. Ages 12 up.

CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2005)
When 13-year-old Frederick moves from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to California, his blond hair and blue eyes make him stand out in his new, predominantly Latino middle school. But soon enough, he fits right in, thanks largely to Xio and her clique of friends known as Las Sexy Seis. From the beginning, Xio is attracted to Frederick and his shy, quiet humor, but as it turns out, the attraction isn’t mutual. Although Frederick soon considers Xio to be his best friend, he is just beginning to realize that he’s much more attracted to boys than to girls. His gradual coming-out process – first to himself and then to his peers – is handled realistically and sensitively. Because the story is told in alternating chapters from the points of view of both Xio and Frederick, readers are able to see his coming out from both the inside and the outside, which adds a great deal of depth to the story. We also see the characters respond in different ways to the sorts of homophobic name-calling that is common in middle schools across the United States, as well as changes in their attitudes as they come to accept Frederick for who he is. CCBC categories: Fiction for Young Adults. 2004, Simon & Schuster, 230 pages, $14.95. Ages 12-15.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, October 15, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 20))
Frederick, 13, is the new kid; Xio is an astrology-obsessed, spirited, Hispanic girl in his new class. She and her friends adopt Frederick-mostly because Xio thinks he's really cute. Frederick, despite his asthma, starts playing soccer with the Hispanic boys, the counterparts of Xio and her girlfriends. Xio wants to date Frederick, but he's not sure he feels the same way; he's not sure he likes girls that way. He's never thought about it before, but the more time he spends with Victor, the leader of the soccer boys, the more Frederick realizes that he might feel about boys the way most boys feel about girls. The truth comes out privately and, after a rough patch, all remain friends. Sanchez, whose first two titles were for YA, writes for a younger audience quite convincingly. Xio and Frederick alternate chapters to tell their story and their voices are distinct and believable. As with his previous efforts, the prose style is serviceable and coincidence helps tie things up neatly, but many young teens, gay and straight, will see themselves and their friends in these characters. 2004, Simon & Schuster, 240p, $14.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 10 to 14. © 2004 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Deborah Stevenson (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, November 2004 (Vol. 58, No. 3))
Xio is an effervescent eighth-grader and Frederick is the sweet new boy in class, on whom she has a major crush. The two kids take turns narrating the events as Xio and Frederick grow closer, making Xio giddy with romantic excitement and Frederick increasingly anxious about his lack of physical attraction to Xio. In fact, Frederick is disturbed to find himself more excited about his growing friendship with the handsome Victor ("Please God," Frederick thinks frantically, "don't let me be gay. I'm weird enough as it is"), and he's thrown unwillingly into serious examination of his sexuality. Sanchez effectively differentiates Xio's bubbly, garrulous narration and Frederick's tentative and uncertain voice, and the clear depictions help make the characters the driving force of this novel. There's some oversimplification (the book implies that nothing other than homosexuality could account for Frederick's failure to be attracted to Xio and for his contemplation of male sexuality) and idealization (after initial reactions, there's little negative response to Frederick's coming out, while another gay eighth-grader bears the taunts of classmates and family with philosopher's wisdom), but the emotional core of the story remains solid and authentic. The inclusion of Xio's viewpoint means that readers identifying with Frederick encounter a model of survivable reaction from a friend, and they also get to see the kind of confusion and disappointment self-misrepresentation can cause in those whose lives they touch. Subplots such as Xio's disappointment with her own absent father (who may in fact be gay himself) and the atmosphere of the multi-ethnic, Latino-rich California community add dimension to the narrative. A lot of kids question their identity before the traditional YA bracket, and this accessible read will give them reassurance and food for thought. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2004, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2004, Simon, 230p, $14.95. Grades 6-9.

Amy Easter (The Kutztown University Book Review, Fall 2005)
Frederick just moved to California. At school, he quickly becomes friends with a Mexican American girl, Xio. Xio falls for Frederick, but when she starts to let her feelings show, Frederick is not so sure. Xio is his best friend and he hangs out with her crew but he doesn’t feel more than that. Frederick is scared when he has feelings for Victor, the captain of the soccer team, and is even more confused when he sees Iggy, a boy all the other kids call gay. Frederick comes to the realization that he is gay and has to make the tough decision to tell Xio. How will she react? Will he allow himself to become friends with Iggy? This book is well written. It is realistic and clearly portrays the confusion and emotional turmoil kids in this situation face. This book would be a good addition to a library’s collection, but be aware of the topic’s controversial nature. Category: . 2004, Simon & Schuster, $14.95. Ages 12 to 18.

Susan Stepp (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 17, No. 4))
The story is about the struggles of a junior high boy coming to grips with his own sexual preferences and a young girl trying to resolve her feelings for her father who left the family. Sanchez tells the story in two voices: Frederick, the Anglo boy who has moved from Wisconsin to southern California, and Xio, the Hispanic girl who befriends him. Xio falls for Frederick and manages to get him to the movies with her friends. She initiates holding his hand. She has a party at her house and manages to get him in a closet for a kiss. Frederick is confused. He really likes Xio as a friend but knows something is lacking. He is attracted to Victor, a popular athlete who invites him to play soccer with him and his friends. After spending a weekend at Victor’s house, Frederick knows he is different. His family spends Thanksgiving with the Garcias. He comes face to face with Iggy, the boy everyone at school says is gay. He discovers Iggy is really a nice guy, but he doesn’t have the courage to talk to him at school. He finally decides to tell Xio the truth--that he believes he is gay--but asks her to keep his secret. She is devastated and misses school. Meanwhile, she starts putting things together about her own father and asks her mother if her father is gay. Her mother admits that possibly he is. She accepts Frederick for who he is, and the story ends as another new boy shows up that she thinks is cute. The Mexican culture is woven throughout the story. Spanish words are used often in conversation, and Xio takes a trip to Mexico with her family for Christmas. This is not a comfortable topic for most of us; however, Sanchez handles it very tastefully. The reader feels sympathy for Frederick and his situation. The friendship he has created between Frederick and Xio is genuine. The book jacket has a photo of a boy and girl standing in front of lockers---their heads are not visible. She is reaching for his hand. The only thing wrong is that they are both Anglo. Fiction. Grades Junior high. 2004, Simon & Schuster, 230p., $14.95. Ages 12 to 14.

C. J. Bott (VOYA, December 2004 (Vol. 27, No. 5))
Frederick moves from Wisconsin to southern California where Xio, a sparkling and open-hearted Mexican American girl, becomes his first friend-and in her mind, potential girlfriend. Told in alternating chapters by Xio and Frederick, the story follows these young people as they struggle through difficult times, but each has a strong moral upbringing, a sense of compassion, and supportive parents to help them. Sanchez provides a treasure of diversity in this book and deals with the needed acceptance of one's self and others: Xio says Iggy is nice, but the rumors and name-calling surround him. After Frederick starts playing soccer with Victor and the other boys after school, he questions his attraction to Victor. Too many questions fill his head. Why does he feel special when Victor includes him? Why does he frame Victor's picture and set it on his nightstand? Will he be treated the same as Iggy? Sanchez, author of the Rainbow Boys books, just keeps getting better at his art. This novel is a well structured, beautifully rendered story of two wonderful young people. Readers will come to love them. Sanchez creates a nice story about genuine teens who do not let each other or themselves down. At the beginning of the book, this reviewer wondered how Sanchez could carry off in a middle school book his theme of a gay teen coming out in a homophobic atmosphere. He does so very well. VOYA CODES: 5Q 4P M J (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2004, Simon & Schuster, 230p., $14.95. Ages 11 to 15.