Leila Toledo (Children's Literature)
Any story about a childhood in poverty is heart wrenching but through Trino's eyes you see his determination and resolve to make a better life. As with many poor children, school becomes a difficult battleground to wade through. He is a teenager, an outcast and has no friends except one girl, Lisana, who likes him. She reaches out to him and assists him with the school project that he has to complete. Although she is not his partner on the project she intervenes and helps him establish a friendship with his partner, Hector. His relationship with his mother's boyfriend is also a boost for him. Nick is a strong man, a hard worker and a good role model for Trino and his brothers. He likes them and they like him. But tragedy strikes. A rainstorm destroys the trailer where Trino and his family live. They lose everything, even the project Trino and Hector have completed. Everything looks bleak for Trino and his family. They are homeless, living temporarily in the school used as a shelter. But Trino learns that his friends and Nick are there for him. Trino learns "El tiempo hablara por todos," (time will speak for all). These are the words of Jose Antonio Navarro, a Tejano hero and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the subject of his school project. 2001, Pinata Books, $14.95. Ages 9 to 14.

Rebecca Joseph (Children's Literature)
In this sequel to Trino's Choice, seventh-grade Trino attempts to cope with the loss of his two best friends. His out-of-work mother struggles to feed and house Trino and his three younger brothers, all of whom currently live in a trailer home. Slowly, with the help of some new friends and a Tejano hero that Trino discovers in history class, Trino learns to take charge of his life and to provide for his family and himself. All of his efforts are threatened when a violent storm destroys his trailer home. Trino's struggles will ring true to many other young people as they struggle to find meaning in their lives at home and at school. This book is a welcome addition to the dearth of good books that feature Latino/a protagonists. 2001, Pinata Books, $14.95 and $9.95. Ages 12 up.

Becky Young (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 14, No. 1))
In this sequel to Trino's Choice, seventh-grader Trino discovers that growing up is much more complicated than he thought. A month before he had watched his friends robbing a store and beating up the old shopkeeper. Two weeks before he had seen his best friend killed when he tried to steal from a car wash. Now Trino feels lonely and confused. Trino tries to find work to help his mom support his little brothers. School feels strange without his friends until he meets a new girl in history class. While working, studying about Tejano heroes, and trying to help his mom, Trino learns that a man has to learn to help himself. This is a great book but is especially effective for young Latinos. Use Trino's Choice and TRINO'S TIME to get some reluctant readers to read. This book would be very useful in journalism and creative writing classes as an example of great beginnings with great hooks. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades 6-10. 2001, Pinata Books, 171p, $9.95. Ages 11 to 16.

Mercedes Smith (VOYA, December 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 5))
Trino Olivares, a Mexican American teen, is struggling to find his place in school and at home. Seventh grade is a year of changes for Trino. He is working hard to keep his grades up and discovers pride in his Tejano ancestry through his history project. No longer comfortable with his neighborhood friends since an attempted robbery claimed the life of his best friend at Mr. Epifano's store, Trino is becoming friends with Hector, his assigned partner for the history project, and Lisana, who loves books. There also are changes at home. His job at Mr. Epifano's grocery store allows him to earn his own money, but Trino' s mother lost her job and is unsure whether to apply at the local college for a janitorial position. The Olivares's luck seems to change for the better when Trino's mother gets the job. Unfortunately bad luck follows closely on the heels of good when a strong rainstorm forces Trino and his family out of their trailer and into a shelter. Trino, as the man of the house, must decide whether to salvage a few of their belongings and the history project by risking his life and going back into the trailer even though it is considered unsafe. A sequel to Trino's Choice (Arte Público, 1999/VOYA April 2000), this novel stands on its own. Young adult readers will become engrossed fully in this story of perseverance and new beginnings. Bertrand weaves a believable story and creates a protagonist with whom any teen could identify, $9.95 Trade pb. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P J (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2001, Arte Público Press, 170p, $14.95. Ages 12 to 15.