From the Publisher
"
Bait opens some new, deep territory -- difficult, heartbreaking, and courageous; Diego's story will stick with readers for a long time. Alex Sanchez is a wonderful writer, brave and compassionate." -- Terry Trueman, Printz Honor author of
Stuck In Neutral
"The emotions are keenly conveyed here, and long after the other plot details have faded, Diego's raw urgency and need will likely linger with readers."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Sanchez draws his characters lovingly, making it very apparent that he…genuinely understands their peril.”—Kirkus Reviews
“An authentic and tender story…Sanchez does a masterful job.”—Publishers Weekly
Amanda Graham
Diego MacMann gets good grades, takes care of his little brother, is fascinated by sharks, and even has a weekend job to save money for college. Everything, even down to his crush on Ariel, seems normal, but Diego is hiding secrets, too. After his stepdad commits suicide, his mom has to work two jobs and doesn't notice the changes with Diego. However, after he punches one guy at school for looking at him the wrong way and another guy at the mall for calling him gay, it's impossible for anyone to not see that something is wrong. Bait is a story that exposes the internal turmoil some teens face in dealing with sexual abuse and the impact it has on their lives. The story shows how Diego confronts his problems by talking to someone who can help, but in the meantime reveals graphic content. This is for mature readers. Reviewer: Amanda Graham
Publishers Weekly
The author presents an authentic and tender story about a boy trying to cope after years of sexual abuse. Diego's stepfather molested and raped Diego for years-something Diego alone knows, now that his stepfather has committed suicide. To deal with his anger and pain, Diego cuts himself with a sharp shark's tooth and strikes out violently against his peers, landing him in court. Only when he is paired with a sympathetic probation officer can Diego finally admit his secret. Teens may find the shark metaphor that runs through Diego's dream life heavy-handed, but Sanchez (The God Box) does a masterful job explaining the protagonist's complicated emotions as he deals with his past. He worries that the abuse will turn him into a molester or make him gay-and he is angry and afraid when he finds out that the probation officer he trusted is gay. He even feels grief when he finally is able to say good-bye to the stepfather who abused him. All in all, this is a careful examination of a much neglected topic. Ages 12-up. (June)
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Children's Literature
- Amanda MacGregor
Sixteen-year-old Diego is a good student and helpful son, but he ends up on probation when he punches Fabio, a gay classmate, because he does not like the way Fabio looks at him. What seems like a violent and homophobic reaction actually has a much deeper story behind it, which Diego is surprised to find himself revealing to Mr. Vidas, his probation officer. Vidas seems to really understand Diego, and his probing questions encourage Diego to deal with his emotions and his past in order to move forward. In their sessions together, Diego finally feels comfortable enough to confess to Vidas that his stepfather sexually abused him, and then committed suicide the day after Diego considered killing him. As a result of this abuse, Diego cuts himself, contemplates suicide, and feels his shame renders him incapable of having normal relationships. He worries that being raped and abused will make him gay, or that people will think he is a pervert. His sessions with Vidas help him confront his past and leave him hopeful for the future. Sanchez's novel is emotionally heavy and sometimes difficult to read. Readers may get impatient waiting for Diego to reveal the full truth behind his anger during the drawn-out sessions with Vidas. Despite some flaws, this intense look at the marginalized topics of male sexual abuse and males who self-harm makes this novel an important addition to any collection. Reviewer: Amanda MacGregor
VOYA
- Christine Sanderson
Diego MacMann is a good student, but he has a temper he cannot control. When he assaults another student, he lands in court. He is assigned a probation officer, Mr. Vidas. Something about the way Mr. Vidas looks at him allows Diego to trust him. After discovering that Mr. Vidas wants to recommend a suspended sentence, Diego goes against legal advice and requests to be placed on probation in order to retain him as his probation officer. In their weekly meetings, they explore the causes of Diego's anger, his obsession with self-mutilation, and his suicidal tendencies. Slowly Diego learns that if he is ever to take control of his life, he must deal with the abuse he suffered at the hands of his stepfather. Sanchez's novel unfolds slowly, layer by layer. Although more sophisticated readers might see the signs of abuse early on, for many younger readers the cause of Diego's anger is revealed as Diego puts the pieces together. The description of the abuse does not pull any punches. Mr. Vidas forces Diego to face what has happened. The subject matter and descriptions are graphic, in keeping with the events that have taken place; however, the novel's emphasis is on trust, dealing with trauma, learning to love, and rebuilding one's life. Although this novel will not appeal to every reader, for those trying to understand traumatic events in their life or the lives of others, it has much to offer. Reviewer: Christine Sanderson
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up–Diego MacMann is in trouble. At 16, he faces juvenile court, charged with assault. He just can’t control his fists, especially when he feels that his masculinity is threatened. Anger-management classes have failed, and now this earnest young man teeters between self-loathing and defensive pride. Hope comes unexpectedly when he establishes a bond with Mr. Vidas. The probation officer asks questions that challenge Diego to examine his motivations and his emotional life. How does he feel about his absent birth father? The stepfather who committed suicide? The gay student who looked at him “that way” just before Diego punched him out? The third-person narrative keeps readers one step ahead of Diego as he unravels the effects of abandonment, poverty, and sexual abuse on himself and his struggling family. During the short sessions with Mr. Vidas, he finds some of the tools and insights he needs to navigate his rocky passage to maturity. Unlike most recent fiction that addresses sexual abuse, this story focuses not on the telling of secrets, but on making sense of the experience and building a healthy foundation for moving forward. This groundbreaking novel brings to life an appealing young man who is neither totally a victim nor a victimizer, one who struggles to handle conflicts that derail many young lives. Teens will identify with Diego’s dreams and frustrations, his feeling of difference, his yearning for “normal” life and relationships. High interest and accessible, this coming-of-age story belongs in every collection. For the one in six boys who is sexually abused, it could be a lifesaver.–Carolyn Lehman, Humboldt State University,Arcata, CA
Kirkus Reviews
Having punched out one too many classmates, 16-year-old Diego Rivera finds himself on probation for fighting and faces doing prison time if it happens again. At the beginning, albeit for a brief time, Diego is an enigma to readers. On the outside, he's a lovable, intelligent young man who helps his mom take care of his little brother; on the inside, he's a tortured teenage boy with an anger-control problem and whose arms bear the scars of years of self-inflicted cutting from a shark's tooth he wears around his neck. Obviously Diego has issues, and it's up to his supportive probation officer, Mr. Vidas, to help get him back on track. Even out of his element, Sanchez draws his characters lovingly, making it very apparent that he knows teens like Diego and genuinely understands their peril. Although the pieces of the plot fit together, Diego's recovery is rendered in such a bombastic, groan-inducing, problem-novel style-complete with dream interpretation and an especially cringeworthy guided visualization/remembering exercise-that even the author's biggest fans may be flipping pages to get to the end. (Fiction. YA)
Children's Literature
- Heather Robertson Mason
Diego isn't a bad kid, but after too many fights, he's earned his share of doubters. After he punches another student who looks at him funny, he ends up on probation. Although initially wary of Mr. Vidas, his probation officer, soon Diego realizes that Vidas may be the only person able to help him confront the source of his anger and move past it. Diego struggles with a history of sexual abuse, and stories of boys who have been molested are rare. Sanchez handles the subject deftly, avoiding the scenes of melodrama that are found in books geared toward a female audience. Anger permeates Diego, but he is struggling to be a good student, friend, and son anyway. The mix of pride and vulnerability rings true and readers feel a great deal of sympathy towards him. Mr. Vidas is also a well-drawn character with the steadfastness and plainspokenness that a good social worker would present to a youth in trouble. The story doesn't get too deep, however. Most of the story is captured in the conversations held in Mr. Vidas' office, and Diego's relationships with friends are not explored as deeply as his memories are. The story also lacks a final confrontation, especially with nemeses, but this, too, is realistic. Abuse victims don't often get to confront their attackers and parents don't always believe what's right before their eyes. The description of the abuse is graphic but short, and comes at a key point. Although not over the top, teachers need to be aware of it before recommending to students. The book has some flaws, but it definitely has a place on the bookshelf. Reviewer: Heather Robertson Mason
