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Border Town #4
No Second Chances
In Dos Rios, Texas, things aren't always as they seem.
Santiago might be in over his head this time. . .
Santiago's grades are slipping again, but he's determined to prove to his family that he can be successful at something, even if it's not school. When a fancy new taco chain moves in across the street from the Garza family restaurant, Santiago is inspired-- he'll open a food business of his own
Unfortunately, running a business is not as much fun as Santiago thought it would be. Fabi and Alexis keep interfering, customers aren't easily won over, and even worse, El Payaso is back in Santiago's life-- and just waiting for him to mess up.
Santiago might be in over his head this time. . .
Santiago's grades are slipping again, but he's determined to prove to his family that he can be successful at something, even if it's not school. When a fancy new taco chain moves in across the street from the Garza family restaurant, Santiago is inspired-- he'll open a food business of his own
Unfortunately, running a business is not as much fun as Santiago thought it would be. Fabi and Alexis keep interfering, customers aren't easily won over, and even worse, El Payaso is back in Santiago's life-- and just waiting for him to mess up.
- GenresYoung Adult
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Malin Alegria
7 books66 followersMalín Alegria was raised in San Francisco’s Mission District. She’s a graduate of UC Santa Barbara and received her MA in Education. She is a teacher, permaculture consultant, Aztec dancer, and performer. She’s preformed and wrote with Teatro Nopal & the WILL Collective. Malin’s is a member of SCBWI, TNAFA, and the ultra fabulous Nopalitas. “Estrella’s Quinceñera” was published by Simon & Schuster in 2006. Her second novel “Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico” was released May 2007. Her short stories have appeared in the anthologies “Once Upon a Cuento,” and “15 Candles: 15 Tales of Taffeta, Hairspray, Drunk Uncles, and other Quinceañera Stories. Malin currently lives in California and New Mexico where she teaches,writes, and is hard at work on growing the perfect nopal.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 23, 2013
must read book
January 13, 2013
I wanted to give this a three star rating, because there were a few cameo appearances by Milo and Fabiola, but it really wasn't enough to justify the rating. What went wrong was that Alegria decided that in order for this novel to function, many of the characters and side characters had to become idiots, crazy, or a combination of the two.
Santiago finds out that his dad was just released from prison. His mother and AP Castillo try to talk to him along with the help of a guidance counselor. Yeah, Santiago gets upset, but he also decides that in order to man up and protect his mom from his absentee father he has to drop out of school and work. Yeah, it made no sense.
He starts up a juice/slushy/shake business at the local pulga with the help of his cousin Fabi and with the ingredients from their grandfather's farm. This is where things get hairy. One, Fabi, who is suppose to be the most intelligent person of the bunch, allows customers to taste a faulty product. Two, there is the return of El Payaso and his daughter, both who have changed into ridiculous caricatures to help move the plot along. You just have to read about Maria Elena to believe it. As for El Payaso, why would a drug dealer care so much about a pulga?
Those are some of the minor roadblocks. The worst, absolutely worst part about this novel is the way Alegria handles Santiago's father. His mother, Consuelo, goes out of her way to reunite them even after it's revealed that he went to prison for battery and assault against Consuelo. Somehow, more information is revealed and Consuelo explains that Santiago shouldn't hate his dad so much, because he went to jail selling drugs, so she could go to college. See, he's not all bad! That hitting thing, forget about it. Oh, and don't worry that he was a pretty lousy father too. He's actually a good guy! Instead of showing how misguided Consuelo was, Alegria writes these scenes so that we feel pity for the father.
By the end when Santiago's relationship with his father was "mended" I just became disappointed. When you would think that Santiago only felt guilt due to his father's actions by the end of the novel, Alegria instead hints that their relationship changed for the better. Instead of exploring the issues of parental lock up in a responsible manner or even family dysfunction, Consuelo crossed a line trying to get Santiago and his father to reunite after the abuse she suffered at her husband's hand. We're suppose to think they're all a happy family now.
It seemed everyone lost some semblance of common sense to make this story line work, which is why it was very hard to swallow, because when Fabiola becomes an idiot and an AP crosses a professional line by encouraging the reunion of a student with a abusive parent, you know the story went astray. This was not Alegria's best work and I hope the series doesn't end like this. Otherwise, it's a sad end to what could have been a really special and unique series.
Santiago finds out that his dad was just released from prison. His mother and AP Castillo try to talk to him along with the help of a guidance counselor. Yeah, Santiago gets upset, but he also decides that in order to man up and protect his mom from his absentee father he has to drop out of school and work. Yeah, it made no sense.
He starts up a juice/slushy/shake business at the local pulga with the help of his cousin Fabi and with the ingredients from their grandfather's farm. This is where things get hairy. One, Fabi, who is suppose to be the most intelligent person of the bunch, allows customers to taste a faulty product. Two, there is the return of El Payaso and his daughter, both who have changed into ridiculous caricatures to help move the plot along. You just have to read about Maria Elena to believe it. As for El Payaso, why would a drug dealer care so much about a pulga?
Those are some of the minor roadblocks. The worst, absolutely worst part about this novel is the way Alegria handles Santiago's father. His mother, Consuelo, goes out of her way to reunite them even after it's revealed that he went to prison for battery and assault against Consuelo. Somehow, more information is revealed and Consuelo explains that Santiago shouldn't hate his dad so much, because he went to jail selling drugs, so she could go to college. See, he's not all bad! That hitting thing, forget about it. Oh, and don't worry that he was a pretty lousy father too. He's actually a good guy! Instead of showing how misguided Consuelo was, Alegria writes these scenes so that we feel pity for the father.
By the end when Santiago's relationship with his father was "mended" I just became disappointed. When you would think that Santiago only felt guilt due to his father's actions by the end of the novel, Alegria instead hints that their relationship changed for the better. Instead of exploring the issues of parental lock up in a responsible manner or even family dysfunction, Consuelo crossed a line trying to get Santiago and his father to reunite after the abuse she suffered at her husband's hand. We're suppose to think they're all a happy family now.
It seemed everyone lost some semblance of common sense to make this story line work, which is why it was very hard to swallow, because when Fabiola becomes an idiot and an AP crosses a professional line by encouraging the reunion of a student with a abusive parent, you know the story went astray. This was not Alegria's best work and I hope the series doesn't end like this. Otherwise, it's a sad end to what could have been a really special and unique series.
July 30, 2013
Actually didn't think much of this book at all. The central character drops out of high school to start his own business. He decides to go back to school after his dad takes the fall for him and his cousin who get caught up in drug running. Not sure what the point of the story was actually.
January 12, 2014
No second chances
it was a really fun story to read about although it was slightly on a easier level for me to enjoy, but of course that's my own opinion :)
it was a really fun story to read about although it was slightly on a easier level for me to enjoy, but of course that's my own opinion :)
November 14, 2018
(Whoops! I read this series out of order!)
This story was told from Santiago's point of view which was a change. Fabi was more of a minor character. It was interesting to read how Santiago feels and thinks, especially about his family. Even though he's a sinverguenzo, a care-for-nothing, the book shows that he cares a lot. He just has a problem with impulse control.
I like how he connected with Angel and I hope that he remains a big brother and role model.
I'm curious how vegetarians will feel about Fabi's smoothies and the reactions of those who aren't as "healthy" as she is.
I love the touches of supernatural that appear in this series. Growing up in the Valley, the supernatural was a part of life. It's nice to see it appear in writing about Valley life.
This story was told from Santiago's point of view which was a change. Fabi was more of a minor character. It was interesting to read how Santiago feels and thinks, especially about his family. Even though he's a sinverguenzo, a care-for-nothing, the book shows that he cares a lot. He just has a problem with impulse control.
I like how he connected with Angel and I hope that he remains a big brother and role model.
I'm curious how vegetarians will feel about Fabi's smoothies and the reactions of those who aren't as "healthy" as she is.
I love the touches of supernatural that appear in this series. Growing up in the Valley, the supernatural was a part of life. It's nice to see it appear in writing about Valley life.
July 31, 2018
If you are a fan of Nickelodeon type shows, or Disney shows for kids, this Border Town Series will be a good read. Think Hannah Montana, but with Chicanxs. Think That's So Raven, but in a town on the Texas-Mexico border.
December 22, 2015
Santiago’s not doing so well in school, but he’s determined to be a success at something. After learning that a new taco chain is moving in across from the local restaurant, he thinks that he can start a restaurant too. Specifically, he wants to start a healthy fruit and vegetable juice stand. After attempting to drum up business at the local flea market, he’s quickly shot down by the dangerous El Payaso. But this doesn’t stop Santiago from following his dreams!
A fine reluctant read, this book doesn’t offer much in the way of plot, character development or ambiance. The writing is clear but not spectacular and the scenarios aren’t plausible (a father taking the wrap for his son and nephew in a drug bust? Huh?). It’ll find its audience, but it’s not one of the best books of the year.
A fine reluctant read, this book doesn’t offer much in the way of plot, character development or ambiance. The writing is clear but not spectacular and the scenarios aren’t plausible (a father taking the wrap for his son and nephew in a drug bust? Huh?). It’ll find its audience, but it’s not one of the best books of the year.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews