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Kellie Murphy

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Pedro and Me: Friendship, Loss, and What I Learned

by Judd Winick

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Kellie Murphy said: " Wow. What to say about this book. So unexpected. I originally just decided to read this book because I was intrigued by the aspect of it taking place through MTV's reality tv show The Real World. I've watched a few seasons but I never got the chance Wow. What to say about this book. So unexpected. I originally just decided to read this book because I was intrigued by the aspect of it taking place through MTV's reality tv show The Real World. I've watched a few seasons but I never got the chance to see that one, nor had I heard of Pedro's story.

After reading Ellen Hopkin's Crank, I wasn't sure I wanted to read another story on such an intense, taboo subject, but I'm glad I did. The syle that this story is written compared to Hopkin's is like comparing day and night. Although, I think in my next book I would like to read one written more traditionally. (No free verse poetry like Crank, no pictures like this one.) I also enjoyed that while it was a story that truly pulled at my heartstrings and made me go through so many emotions, it was completely inspirational and at the end of the story, my heart was warmed, though I felt sad as well.

I liked the background information- what brought them both to apply for the television show. It was the first thing that hooked me and got me feeling an emotional connection to Pedro. I would have been a little nervous to move into a house with someone HIV positive too, and I can't imagine how they were all feeling so many years ago while this topic was even more taboo than it is now.

My favorite thing about the entire book was just Pedro in general and his attitude towards life. He didn't waste his limited time feeling sorry for himself because of his predicament. He was so truly ill and he went through with filming the show and using his time on it to educate people about his disease, with incredible results. By the end, I felt more educated on the subject of HIV and AIDS, and inspired to make sure other people understand and do what they can to prevent this terrible illness. I felt that as Judd's education, understanding, and acceptance of Pedro's disease was growing, so was my own.

The content in general is mature, and there are some parts in specific that have a lot of adult situations. I think it would be good for an older high school aged class to read, but I say that with hesitation. I would hate for this book to make someone uncomfortable, or to be made into a joke in any way because that is opposite of what the author meant for the audience to take away from it. A mature, AP class could probably value a lot from reading it. ...more "

Feb 11, 2014 08:52PM · see review