Teen Fiction - Peoples & Cultures, Teen Fiction - Sexuality, Teen Fiction - Romance & Friendship

Getting It

Name: Getting It
Author: Alex Sanchez
ISBN: 9781416908982

by Alex Sanchez, Michael Frost

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Overview

Fifteen-year-old Carlos Amoroso is a virgin — and he isn't happy about it. He'd love to hook up with gorgeous Roxy, but she has no idea he's alive. Watching a TV show one night gives Carlos an idea: What if he got a makeover from Sal, a senior at his school who's gay? Sal agrees — but only if Carlos helps him start a Gay-Straight Alliance. Carlos doesn't expect the catch. What are his friends going to think? And is he ever going to get what he wants?

Synopsis

Publishers Weekly

Sanchez (Rainbow Boys) begins with an intriguing premise: inspired by the TV show Queer Eye, 15-year-old Carlos Amoroso asks Sal, the gay guy at school, to make him over so he can stop being a "girlfriend-less virgin." Sal agrees, in exchange for Carlos's help with forming a Gay-Straight Alliance. As Sal helps Carlos fix up his room and shop for clothes and even eat better he also teaches Carlos to be more honest and to stand up for what is right. The story goes on a bit too long, but the author presents an authentic if somewhat raw world here: the characters describe their hookups, many of which begin with the Web; his friends tell Carlos about the "hookup rules" that explain why his crush, Roxy, ignores him the day after they make out. The author also gives readers valuable information and ideas: his mother's boyfriend tells Carlos of the importance of condoms; when forming the GSA, Carlos tells his uncooperative principal that "because of, um, a Supreme Court decision... you haveto allow the club"; and Sal speculates about why gay guys have style ("None of the guys will come near you and you try to figure out why. So you notice things how people dress, wear their hair, decorate their room"). In the end, it is sensitive-but-flawed Carlos and his struggle to do right that keeps this story grounded. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)

About the Author, Alex Sanchez

Alex Sanchez received his master's degree in guidance and counseling from Old Dominion University. For many years he worked as a youth and family counselor. His novels include the Lambda Award-winning So Hard to Say, the Rainbow Boys trilogy, and Bait. When not writing, Alex tours the country talking with teens, librarians, and educators about the importance of teaching tolerance and self-acceptance. Originally from Mexico, Alex now lives in Thailand and Hollywood, Florida. Visit Alex at www.AlexSanchez.com.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Sanchez (Rainbow Boys) begins with an intriguing premise: inspired by the TV show Queer Eye, 15-year-old Carlos Amoroso asks Sal, the gay guy at school, to make him over so he can stop being a "girlfriend-less virgin." Sal agrees, in exchange for Carlos's help with forming a Gay-Straight Alliance. As Sal helps Carlos fix up his room and shop for clothes—and even eat better—he also teaches Carlos to be more honest and to stand up for what is right. The story goes on a bit too long, but the author presents an authentic if somewhat raw world here: the characters describe their hookups, many of which begin with the Web; his friends tell Carlos about the "hookup rules" that explain why his crush, Roxy, ignores him the day after they make out. The author also gives readers valuable information and ideas: his mother's boyfriend tells Carlos of the importance of condoms; when forming the GSA, Carlos tells his uncooperative principal that "because of, um, a Supreme Court decision... you haveto allow the club"; and Sal speculates about why gay guys have style ("None of the guys will come near you—and you try to figure out why. So you notice things—how people dress, wear their hair, decorate their room"). In the end, it is sensitive-but-flawed Carlos and his struggle to do right that keeps this story grounded. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)

VOYA - Adora Goldofsky

Getting It teaches young teens to stand up for themselves, even if they get teased. It also teaches readers that friends will like you for who you are, whether you are gay or not. Otherwise they are not truly your friends. Overall I think this is a great book, and it will teach you a few life lessons.

Children's Literature - Monserrat Urena

At fifteen, Carlos Amoroso is not only the last remaining virgin among his friends, but he has a crush on Roxy Rodriguez. His friends keep telling him she's out of his league, and they just might be right. But Carlos refuses to give up and while watching a TV makeover show one night he comes up with an interesting plan to change his non-love life. He's going to ask Sal to make him over, just like on TV. After all, Sal is gay just like the guys on TV. There are just a couple of problems on the road to winning Roxy Rodriguez. Sal will only help if Carlos promises to help him start a Gay-Straight Alliance at school. In hanging out with Sal, Carlos is in danger of being labeled "gay" by the entire school. And there's also something else that Carlos forgot—life isn't like a TV show. Do not let this book's pretty-boy, shopping spree—themed cover fool you. This is a deeply engrossing and accessible book about first love and the realization that life is more complicated than anything on TV. Underlying the relationship between Carlos and Sal, and several other relationships, is the all-too-current realities of gay-bashing and a deep misunderstanding of gay culture and life.

VOYA - Sophie Brookover

Carlos, fifteen, has never had sex. No girl has ever agreed to a one-night hookup with him. He has never even been kissed, and his dream girl, Roxy, does not even know he exists. Certain that it is his gangly, rumpled appearance that puts girls off, Carlos asks his gay classmate Sal to effect a Queer Eye for the Straight Guy-style total image makeover. Sal agrees but drives a hard bargain: in exchange for the makeover, Carlos must co-found a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at their high school with Sal. Carlos tries to keep the makeover, his budding friendship with Sal, and most of all, his involvement in the GSA a secret from his best friends-handsome jerk Playboy, supportive Pulga, and athletic Toro-but the difference in Carlos's appearance, behavior, and attitude are remarkable. As in his Rainbow trilogy-Rainbow Boys (Simon & Schuster, 2001/VOYA December 2001); Rainbow High (2004/VOYA December 2003); Rainbow Road (2005/VOYA October 2005)-Sanchez goes beyond common issues of anxiety surrounding sexuality and peer perceptions to get at deeper issues like male body image, how boys negotiate friendships and vulnerabilities in romantic relationships, sexuality in Latino culture, and the increasing number of GSAs in schools across the country. Sanchez's workmanlike but jaunty, conversational prose is well suited to his subject matter. This title's sexual frankness may make it a controversial choice, particularly for school libraries in more conservative communities, but its themes, appeal, and readability make it a nearly essential purchase.

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Carlos Amoroso, 15, loves video games, junk food, and hanging out with his buddies. The only thing he can't do is get a date with sexy, popular Roxy Rodriguez. After watching Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, he approaches a gay classmate, Sal, for a makeover. Sal agrees but insists that Carlos help him start a Gay-Straight Alliance at their predominantly Hispanic Texas high school. Carlos is conflicted-what if his friends think he's gay, too? In the process, the teen learns how to clean, dress, clear zits, and talk to girls. He also learns how to be honest with himself, and how to tell people, including his macho father and homophobic buddies, how he really feels. Although Sanchez's prose is creaky and expository at first-it seems slightly dumbed down compared to his "Rainbow" books (S & S)-the truth of the story and familiar, realistic characters quickly engage readers. The dialogue is pointed and natural, and the characterizations and plot emerge deftly from conversation, especially teenage trash talking. Sanchez's usual good-natured humor flavors Sal and Carlos's tumultuous friendship. The easy pace and farcical Cyrano de Bergerac meets Queer Eye construct of the novel is deceptive: the mood is wholly emotional as hate is exposed everywhere and even the minor characters discover new truths. This sweet, simple examination of homophobia and friendship is a welcome addition to the genre, especially for reluctant readers.-Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Acne-ridden, slightly pudgy Carlos is the quieter member of a quartet of cocksure, trash-talking high-school boys who've dubbed themselves "Los hornitos" since elementary school. Horny they are, and Sanchez captures their lusty, girl-crazy conversations with a humorously skeptical eye. Carlos talks the talk, but mostly pines after Roxy Rodriguez, the hottest and most popular girl in school. Inspired by the television show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, he beseeches Sal, an openly gay guy at school, to make him over from pimply scrub to princely stud. Sal concedes-on the condition that Carlos promises to come to a Gay-Straight Alliance meeting-and soon Carlos's new haircut, diet, bedroom redecoration and cleanliness nab Roxy's attentions. All is not well in the house of love, however, and soon Carlos must face the fact that beauty is much more than skin deep. Sanchez spins an upbeat contemporary drama set against a colorful Latino culture. Tone and plot canter along at a cheerful, upbeat pace, but not without the subtly lingering sense of homophobia that pervades the characters' conversations. Sanchez acts on these cues successfully and non-didactically, ultimately conjuring a universe where young men can come together, regardless of sexuality, to support one another. (Fiction. YA)