Aida Franco (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 3))
This romance novel is about Jessie Medina, a hardworking and dedicated career woman. Even though she is young, she has already had to deal with betrayal in a corporate man's world. She gets the job of School Development Director at a private boys' school. She meets resistance, but she rises to the occasion. She finds that the president of the alumni association, Roland Tovias, seems intent on making her life difficult. He challenges her at every turn, but she also finds that he is there for her when it really counts. This novel should make teens think about the cultural traditions of a Hispanic woman's role and the struggles she faces to have a successful career. Especially notable are the Hispanic settings and characters. Fiction. Grades 7 and up. 2002, Pinata Books, 168p., $9.95. Ages 12 up.

Diane Masla (VOYA, February 2003 (Vol. 25, No. 6))
When Jessie Medina, a successful career woman, accepts a job as the development director at tiny St. Joseph's High School, she knows that the position is unlikely to bring her wealth or prestige. Yet St. Joseph's, a predominantly Mexican American, all-boys school, is dear to Jessie's heart. All her brothers attended the school, and she was once a St. Joe's cheerleader. She immediately encounters opposition from Roland Tovias, the president of the alumni association, who doubts that anyone so young, attractive, and female can be entrusted with the interests of the school. After the initial tension wears off, however, Jessie and Roland find that they are deeply attracted to each other, and they work together to save St. Joe's from financial ruin. Because both Jessie and Roland are presumably somewhere in their twenties, this novel is not really in the young adult ballpark, as were Bertrand's earlier books, Trino's Choice (Piñata, 1999/VOYA April 2000) or Lessons of the Game (1998/VOYA October 1999). The romance that evolves between the two, however, is of the superficial, beautiful-dark-eyes-flashing, light-romance variety that might appeal to teens. The entire plot is contrived to show that a Mexican American woman can go up against machismo stereotypes and prevail. For example, Jessie announces her concert plan without any idea as to who will perform at the concert. Yet, in the end, her organization and promotion of the event are so successful that she receives a lucrative job offer. Like Bertrand's other books, this one fills a gap for young Hispanic patrons looking for books set in their culture, but it is otherwise unremarkable. This edition is a revision of the author's 1991 novel of the same title. VOYA CODES: 2Q 2P S (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2002, Piñata/Arte Público, 169p, $9.95 Trade pb. Ages 15 to 18.