Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy

Publishers Weekly

Wright (When the Black Girl Sings) gives voice, complexity, and heart to the kind of character often relegated to a cliché sidekick role. Sixteen-year-old Carlos Duarte's dream is to become a famous makeup artist ("I've had subscriptions to Vogue and Harper's Bazaar since I was fourteen... so I knew what I was doing was beyond genius"). His considerable skills land him a plum job working the FeatureFace Cosmetics counter at Macy's, despite the reservations of manager Valentino. It's not long before Valentino and Carlos clash, and things at home are tough as well: Carlos's mother has lost her job, and his older sister is getting abused by her boyfriend, who is also harassing Carlos for being gay. Carlos's single-minded drive for success leaves some casualties in his wake (as when a borrowed pair of "beyond incredible" boots are damaged when he's assaulted), but his big heart, optimism, and powers of persuasion are infectious. And given the very realistic harassment Carlos regularly suffers, those attributes are a survival skill, too. He's a walking example of the inner strength teens need—regardless of their sexuality. Ages 12–up. (July)

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up—Carlos Duarte, 16, has tremendous confidence. He does what he does and makes few apologies—and what he does best is makeup. The teen is fearless in his determination to realize his dream of becoming a makeup artist to the stars. His first job is at the FeatureFace counter, the premiere makeup company in Macy's flagship store. He is sure that this job will launch him into the stratosphere of fame, but pride and ambition cause him to take action without considering the consequences. Carlos struggles to develop a sense of accountability, and making his life more difficult are his sister's abusive boyfriend and his own one-sided crush on a boy in school. Readers will simultaneously root for and marvel at this fascinating character, though their support will be tested by his mean-spirited comments. Unfortunately, Carlos tends to overwhelm the plot and the other characters, who fall a little flat in his shadow. It is a relief that Wright does not give the story a tidy ending, opting instead to leave a few strands untied. After all, Carlos still has places to go.—Naphtali L. Faris, Youth Services Consultant, Missouri State Library, Jefferson City, MO

From the Publisher

"Wright gives voice, complexity, and heart to the kind of character often relegated to a cliché sidekick role...[Carlos is] a walking example of the inner strength teens need—regardless of their sexuality."

—Publishers Weekly

"Wright’s occasionally flashy but mostly straightforward...prose should work equally well for bookish and non-bookish readers."—Kirkus Reviews

"Readers will simultaneously root for and marvel at this fascinating character."—School Library Journal

"There's a whole lot going on in Wright’s novel, but it’s handled deftly and, for the most part, believably. Best of all, Carlos is not completely defined by his homosexuality. It is an important part of him, yes, but so are his ambition, his concern for his sister, and his capacity for friendship."—Booklist

"A fast-paced and humorous chick-lit read, Carlos is sure of himself and yet willing to acknowledge when he makes mistakes. His loyalty to friends and family and grace under pressure come through as he overcomes stereotyping to achieve his goal."—Library Media Connection

Children's Literature - Carlee Hallman

Carlos wants to be a makeup artist and is hired at the age of sixteen for the FeatureFace counter at Macy's in New York for weekends. The district manager hires Carlos over objections by the local makeup artist, Valentino, which makes their working relationship difficult. Carlos still attends school and is attracted to one of the boys who did the photos of people's makeup that got Carlos hired. Meanwhile, his older sister Rosalia is being abused by her boyfriend. Mom loses her job at a drycleaners but gets another one part time. Carlos is able to contribute to the family finances. He has an opportunity to do makeup for Shirlena, a well-known TV personality, and helps himself to cosmetics at Macy's. Valentino is upset that Carlos has the TV job and wants to press charges of stealing makeup. His mother wants him to do something about Rosalia's boyfriend, who subsequently beats him up. Actually Carlos seems more concerned about his future in cosmetics than about his sister. Valentino's charge of stealing is worked out in a different way by the district manager. This story will be interesting to a special audience. Reviewer: Carlee Hallman

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up—Carlos Duarte, 16, has tremendous confidence. He does what he does and makes few apologies—and what he does best is makeup. The teen is fearless in his determination to realize his dream of becoming a makeup artist to the stars. His first job is at the FeatureFace counter, the premiere makeup company in Macy's flagship store. He is sure that this job will launch him into the stratosphere of fame, but pride and ambition cause him to take action without considering the consequences. Carlos struggles to develop a sense of accountability, and making his life more difficult are his sister's abusive boyfriend and his own one-sided crush on a boy in school. Readers will simultaneously root for and marvel at this fascinating character, though their support will be tested by his mean-spirited comments. Unfortunately, Carlos tends to overwhelm the plot and the other characters, who fall a little flat in his shadow. It is a relief that Wright does not give the story a tidy ending, opting instead to leave a few strands untied. After all, Carlos still has places to go.—Naphtali L. Faris, Youth Services Consultant, Missouri State Library, Jefferson City, MO

Kirkus Reviews

Carlos, 16 and fabulous, justknowshe's going to be famous.

Cocky but playful—"I had just the slightest touch of color in my cheeks. I'd given myself a manicure. I lookedbeyond excellent!"—Carlos strides purposefully toward his goal: Makeup artist to the stars. Zipping around Manhattan, he obtains employment with a hip, prestigious cosmetics company in Macy's and nabs a position working for the star of aSaturday Night Liveequivalent. His campy voice ("seriously gorgeous bootay. Tight and round and perched, honey, perched!") turns bitchy sometimes. He also needs to learn accountability for his actions: Macy's makeup really can't leave the store before being paid for, no matter how famous the star requesting it, and Stella McCartney boots begged from a friend must be returned pristine. Carlos loses that friend but narrowly saves his job; he also fights his sister's abuser (who calls Carlos "maricón") and strains for dignity when a kind but clueless straight boy tells Carlos to his face that he doesn't return his crush. Wright's occasionally flashy but mostly straightforward (often even clunky) prose should work equally well for bookish and non-bookish readers; the excellent treatment of a gay, Latino teen is marred only by ruthless slamming of fat friend Angie.

He may step on some toes along the way, but this fat boy's going places.(Fiction. 11-15)