Cheryl Whitmore Stevens (Library Media Connection, November/December 2006)
Call Me Henri is the story of a week in the life of Enrique Suarez. In school he is in English as a Second Language class when he really wants to learn French. At home he cares for his triplet brothers and is abused by his stepfather. When he sees one of his best friends gunned down by one of the local gangs, his life is in danger. Enrique has many questions that he would like answered. Why does his mother leave his stepfather when he begins to hit her, but never left when it was Enrique he hit? Why can't he take French, which he could learn much faster than English? Where will he go to be safe from the gang members? The answers to these questions come in the form of the French teacher, Monsieur Nassour who offers him the trip of a lifetime. Lorraine Lopez has written an engaging story about life in the barrio. Call Me Henri shows not only the poverty and helplessness of Hispanic immigrants living there but also their hopes and dreams. Lopez also shows how hard work and fate can prove successful for the residents of the barrio. In spite of its length this book is a quick and excellent read. Recommended. 2006, Curbstone Press, 233pp., $17.95 hc. Ages 12 to 16.

Faith H. Wallace (The ALAN Review, Fall 2006 (Vol. 34, No. 1))
In his required journaling, Enrqiue writes that sometimes there are more important things to worry about than listening to his teacher and peers during ESL class. This couldn’t be truer for Enrique. He is responsible for taking care of triplet infant brothers; his stepfather is abusive; his beloved dog, Boy, is missing; a new classmate commits suicide; and he watches his best friend be shot by local gang members. No wonder he is struggling in math class. Throughout, Enrique stays hopeful that his teenage life will have some sense of normalcy: finding a girlfriend and learning his favorite language, French. When all hope seems lost, the teachers at his school team up to provide Enrique with his best hope for escaping the troubles of his youth. Lopez authentically captures the struggles of a second language learner dealing with the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. Category: Realistic Fiction/Hispanic Families. YA--Young Adult. 2006, Curbstone Press, 233 pp., $17.95. Ages young adult.Kennesaw, GA

Maggie Hommel (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September 2006 (Vol. 60, No. 1))
Enrique (aka Henri) juggles ESL classes at Peralta Middle School and responsibilities at home babysitting his three baby brothers, all the while trying to avoid the gangs that plague his neighborhood, not to mention his stepfather's harsh temper. Privately, he longs to learn French, a language more similar to his native Spanish than English, feeling that skill will take him away from his troubled life. López tempers the harsh urban circumstances with gentle humor and by portraying the world through Enrique's innocent and untainted perspective (in fact, Enrique sometimes seems younger than a typical middle-schooler). The absorbing story creates memorably vivid characters-Marvin Alfaro's abuelita accompanies him to each of his classes and grins proudly whenever he speaks; Enrique's friend Horacio says "Hay labio jab-n lechuga" to any girl who walks by because he thinks it sounds romantic (translated, it means "There is lipsoap lettuce"). The story is choppily written, though, and the ending sequence of events (Enrique witnesses a drive-by shooting in which Horacio is seriously hurt and Enrique becomes the gang's next target; concerned teachers enroll him in a French immersion program in Canada and sneak him, dressed as a girl, to the airport) is rushed and barely plausible, with all concluding a bit too neatly. Still, readers will not begrudge the worthy Enrique an optimistic ending and the fulfillment of his dream-one can hope that his new direction will allow him to escape his past and reach his potential. Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2006, Curbstone, 237p, $17.95. Grades 7-10.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2007)
The first few weeks of school prove to be very eventful for Enrique: he resuscitates one of his baby brothers, is beaten up by his stepfather, and witnesses a drive-by shooting. Choppy writing (perhaps intended to echo the protagonist's uncertain English) distances readers from Enrique, but a wry tone keeps this novel from becoming too melodramatic. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2006, Curbstone, 237pp, 17.95. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.

Victoria Vogel (VOYA, August 2006 (Vol. 29, No. 3))
Enrique is a Spanish-speaking middle school student who is mandated to take ESL (English as a Second Language) classes despite his strong desire to learn the French language. It is only one of many obstacles that Enrique must face in his life. He lives in a gang-infested area, which requires him to take alternate routes home to avoid getting jumped. His triplet infant brothers are entrusted to his care every night while his parents work. He receives some comfort from his mother but is hurt by her loyalty to his angry stepfather. Enrique's desire to learn French is finally realized when he meets Monsieur Nassour, the French teacher, who offers to allow him to join the French club. Encouragement and support from Nassour, his ESL teacher Ms. Byers, and his determined friend Francisco keep him going until dangerous circumstances in his life come to a head. A friend is hit in a drive-by shooting witnessed by Enrique and soon he becomes their new target. Lopez creates a moving, and realistic account of a young Latino boy's life in the ghetto. Enrique is a hero who will appeal to teens of all backgrounds. There are few young adult novels with Latino main characters. This one would make an excellent purchase for any school or public library serving Latino teens in particular. There is violence and some sexual allusion, but overall it is an inspirational story that will touch and inspire. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2006, Curbstone Press (321 Jackson St. Willimantic, CT 06226), 237p., $17.95., . Ages 11 to 15.