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19th out of 245 books
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Marcelo In The Real World
Marcelo Sandoval hears music no one else can hear--part of the autism-like impairment no doctor has been able to identify--and he's always attended a special school where his differences have been protected. But the summer after his junior year, his father demands that Marcelo work in his law firm's mailroom in order to experience "the real world." There Marcelo ...more
Hardcover, 312 pages
Published
March 1st 2009
by Scholastic Inc.
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first, some blathering. it is, after all, me...
i understand why writers like carl hiaasen and james patterson and them are now writing books for younger readers, after having already established themselves as writers of adult fiction with considerable staying power. get 'em while they are young and then when they grow into the adult section, they already have the name-recognition. friends for life, paying their electricity bills...
but why do authors like this one a...more
Marcelo Sandoval is 17 and has a mild form of autism which makes him... well, different. Knowing that he is often perceived to be mentally challenged, Marcelo prefers to stay close to the circle of his friends and people who know that there is nothing wrong with him intellectually. He is planning to spend his final school year at Patterson, a specialized school where he is surrounded by the students just like him, he also has a summer job lined up working with horses in his school's stables. How...more
Absolutely stunning. I haven't read a book worthy of five stars in a while, and I am so grateful to my friend for recommending this to me.
Marcelo hears music that no one else can. He has been diagnosed with an impairment similar to autism, but higher-functioning - he can process things but it takes him time, and he is able to adapt to social situations through learning and experience. However, this is not enough to satisfy his father, a powerful and persuasive lawyer. His father deci...more
Marcelo hears music that no one else can. He has been diagnosed with an impairment similar to autism, but higher-functioning - he can process things but it takes him time, and he is able to adapt to social situations through learning and experience. However, this is not enough to satisfy his father, a powerful and persuasive lawyer. His father deci...more
Marcelo is a 17 year old guy who has an autistic-like condition, not necessarily Asperger's but similar. He can hear music in his mind, Internal Music (IM). It's like experiencing the feelings one gets when listening to music, except without the music. Marcelo's "special interest" is religion. He often sees his mother's best friend, a female rabbi even though he's Catholic, to talk about religion and life. Marcelo lives in a tree house, has a dog called Namu, short for Namu Amida Butsu...more
Meet Marcelo Sandoval. Read his story. Witness first-hand the transition from dream world to real world.
Marcelo has always been different. (He lives in a tree house, for example.) Lived in his own little world--not cut off from the world, by any means, but taking it in at his own pace, staying in his comfort zone, doing this much and no more. Marcelo has autism--Asberger's Syndrome to be exact. He's always chosen to attend a special school--Paterson--to be with children and teens who...more
Marcelo has always been different. (He lives in a tree house, for example.) Lived in his own little world--not cut off from the world, by any means, but taking it in at his own pace, staying in his comfort zone, doing this much and no more. Marcelo has autism--Asberger's Syndrome to be exact. He's always chosen to attend a special school--Paterson--to be with children and teens who...more
This beautifully written book is published ya, but adults who enjoyed THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME will wonder if it isn't time for dual editions here as in Great Britain. Marcelo, a 17 year old with Asperger's syndrome, has been educated in a special private school but takes a summer mail room job at his father's law firm. He has a strong moral sense and discovers much more than his father wished during his time at the law firm. The author is able to convey Marcelo's wa...more
Have you ever gotten to the end of a book and wished there was more? Or better yet, wished your writing could move people the way that the story moved you? Marcelo in the Real World is that kind of book.
It's no secret that I love fantasy, but I try to read outside of the genre as well. Marcelo isn't a super hero. He's a teenage boy with an unidentified cognitive disorder who is comfortable with his routines, his special-ed school, his job at the therapeutic riding stables. His father d...more
It's no secret that I love fantasy, but I try to read outside of the genre as well. Marcelo isn't a super hero. He's a teenage boy with an unidentified cognitive disorder who is comfortable with his routines, his special-ed school, his job at the therapeutic riding stables. His father d...more
I love unique voices, especially when their view on the world is skewed and you, as the reader, can see the chasm between reality and the main character's reality. Marcelo, a seventeen-year-old with asperger's syndrome, fits the bill beautifully. After spending his childhood sheltered in a school for disabled children, his father makes him spend the summer working at his law firm so he learns how to deal with real-world situations. At the law firm, Marcelo befriends his boss in the mail room, Ja...more
Approximate Interest Level/Reading Level: High School
Format: Chapter Book
Awards: ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2010), ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (2010)
At the insistence of his father, Marcelo, a male adolescent with a condition resembling Asperger’s Syndrome, is forced to participate in the “real world” by working at his father’s law firm over the summer. The typical behaviors of autism, accompanied by atypical introspection and insight, leads ...more
Format: Chapter Book
Awards: ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2010), ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (2010)
At the insistence of his father, Marcelo, a male adolescent with a condition resembling Asperger’s Syndrome, is forced to participate in the “real world” by working at his father’s law firm over the summer. The typical behaviors of autism, accompanied by atypical introspection and insight, leads ...more
Still digesting this a bit, but my general feeling is that there was a bit too much going on, though much of it was wonderful. The combination of a regular coming-of-age story with a 'Asperger's is the closest to a description of my condition' one with a romance with a legal-mystery with a spiritual coming-of-age was a lot for one book, and I thought it left some of the elements which were resolved wonderfully in one sphere very much less so in another. The spiritual and the regular coming-of-...more
UPDATE 2/8/09
My initial impression still stands. Although I liked the way the author had the main character Marcelo speak, and how he added certain quirks that were realistic, Stork was unable to keep it consistent.. and some characteristics were not compatible w/someone w/Aspergers..such as speaking in literal terms only and then suddenly speaking/understanding metaphors, for example. The plot was sort of intriguing but I thought kind of trashy too.
...more
My initial impression still stands. Although I liked the way the author had the main character Marcelo speak, and how he added certain quirks that were realistic, Stork was unable to keep it consistent.. and some characteristics were not compatible w/someone w/Aspergers..such as speaking in literal terms only and then suddenly speaking/understanding metaphors, for example. The plot was sort of intriguing but I thought kind of trashy too.
...more
Realistic fiction, young adult, disabilities, friendship, family, identity, legal mystery, corporate greed.
It is the summer before Marcelo's senior year of high school and his father wants him to experience the "real world" and work at his law firm in the mailroom. Marcelo would rather work at his private school with the ponies. A friendship evolves with Jasmine who runs the mailroom. They both love music and she acknowledges his skills, intelligence, talents. Marcelo has ...more
It is the summer before Marcelo's senior year of high school and his father wants him to experience the "real world" and work at his law firm in the mailroom. Marcelo would rather work at his private school with the ponies. A friendship evolves with Jasmine who runs the mailroom. They both love music and she acknowledges his skills, intelligence, talents. Marcelo has ...more
This is a quiet book, but very well-written. I found it fascinating to be able to get into the head of a boy w/ autism/ Aspergers. I thought, though, at times that the author lost the voice, that sometimes the character (Marcelo) seemed more "normal" (as in a kid who didn't have Aspergers at all, but was just a little bit awkward) than he did at the start. He may have grown as a character, but I'd think that his "voice" and the way he looked at the world would pretty much ...more
Very beautiful story. Marcelo is the epitome of naivety and innocence that I almost hated that he had to be brought into the real world, and learn about the suffering man can bring upon man. I spent most of the book marvelling at his integrity and hoping he wouldn't sacrifice it in order to complete in "the real world."
Absolutely beautiful. The language is very simple, but completely absorbing, and it won't appeal to readers looking for high excitement, but to readers who are looking for ideas to ponder. Marcelo, a teen on the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum, is completely unforgettable. Fifth 2009favorite, and it's hard for me to imagine it being knocked off of this shelf by the end of the year. I saw that we got it in as a book on CD a week or so ago, and I'm going to go listen to that ASAP...more
Marcelo Sandoval goes through a journey of life similar to that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He was protected in his early life by Paterson, a school for the mentally challenged, by his mom and most impotantly by his problems. But his dad is not the type of person that lets him live that way.
Marcelo was pushed to work at the alw firm that his dad owned, and he saw the real world, and it was a lot harder than he could ever imagine. If you were a really slow and ahd to do things ...more
Marcelo was pushed to work at the alw firm that his dad owned, and he saw the real world, and it was a lot harder than he could ever imagine. If you were a really slow and ahd to do things ...more
I actually finished this book a few days ago, and aside from a general glow of well-being and happiness, I wasn't sure what I thought of it. Was it really a five star book to go on my goodreads page? But then, after recommending it once every single day since then, I've realized . . . yep, it is. It's a quiet book, thanks to the subdued narration style on Marcelo's part, but it's a good one.
Marcelo is a very high-functioning autistic -- so high-functioning that even the label Asperg...more
Marcelo is a very high-functioning autistic -- so high-functioning that even the label Asperg...more
Marcelo in the Real World
By Francisco X. Stork
Arthur A. Levine Books
ISBN: 9780545054744
314 Pages
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork is listed as a young adult novel. It may contain the story of a teenager; however, I personally would place it for reading by older individuals as well. For those who have found the Rain Man or Forrest Gump of special interest, this book may well be a must-read for you.
Marcelo is just 17 when his fat...more
By Francisco X. Stork
Arthur A. Levine Books
ISBN: 9780545054744
314 Pages
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork is listed as a young adult novel. It may contain the story of a teenager; however, I personally would place it for reading by older individuals as well. For those who have found the Rain Man or Forrest Gump of special interest, this book may well be a must-read for you.
Marcelo is just 17 when his fat...more
The book "Marcelo in the real world" by Francisco X. Stork caught my eye with Marcelo (the main character) having a type of autism that is unknown. Apparently Marcelo was able to hear music in his head that no one else can hear. I thought that was really interesting, so I gave the book a try.
The book to me seems to be targeted to teens, since the book is in the perspective of Marcelo (a 17 year old). Not only that but Marcelo's dad is not so happy that Marcelo has been attend...more
The book to me seems to be targeted to teens, since the book is in the perspective of Marcelo (a 17 year old). Not only that but Marcelo's dad is not so happy that Marcelo has been attend...more
This book surprised me. Yes, I had been told by so many people that it was really good. I should read it. But I am not a big fan of realistic fiction. And I despise "issues" books. So it took me by surprise to find myself staying up late to read "just one more chapter." When I wasn't reading, I found my thoughts drifting back to the book, hoping to find a quiet moment to read. I realized that I liked Marcello and wanted to hear more of his story. It was not the breath...more
One of the many reasons I enjoyed this book is that Marcelo is an uncommon hero. I haven't read a book with a character like him before. The first person narration puts you right into the mind of a 17 year old kid with something like Asperger Syndrome, but not quite. He describes himself as 'high -functioning' and high-functioning he certainly is. In fact, from a moral standpoint, he functions on a higher level than most of mankind and certainly the cast of characters around him.
The...more
The...more
The hype surrounding this title seemed like the ideal amount: mentioned a few times in literary publications, a starred review in Publishers Weekly, winner of a somewhat-obscure book award. (Huh. My idea of "ideal hype" doesn't involve any raving book blog reviews. It'd be interesting to examine that idea further.) But it looks like my expectations still ended up a wee bit too high.
Let's start with Marcelo. He's introduced to the reader in a variety of situations in which h...more
Let's start with Marcelo. He's introduced to the reader in a variety of situations in which h...more
Opinion: This book was ok. I struggled to see the cultural links in this book. Yes, the characters were Hispanic, and some Spanish was mixed in, but I didn't really feel this is a culturally significant book. I felt that it was more geared toward helping us to understand a student with a slight mental disability.
Summary: Marcelo is a 17 old boy with a slight mental disability, similar to aspergers. His father forces his to spend the summer working in his law firm for the summer to gai...more
Summary: Marcelo is a 17 old boy with a slight mental disability, similar to aspergers. His father forces his to spend the summer working in his law firm for the summer to gai...more
As part of a compromise and deal, so he can go back to his special school for his final year and help look after the ponies he loves, Marcelo must spend the summer break working in the mailroom of his father's law firm. His father thinks that some time in the real world will help snap Marcelo out of his head - the same head in which Marcelo hears beautiful music and spends much of his time. Jasmine is in charge of him at work, and though at first she's frustrated by his slowness, she quickly lea...more
The idea that improvising might take more skill than perfectly playing composed music wouldn’t have occurred to Marcelo Sandoval before the summer he was seventeen. Marcelo’s predictable life fit comfortably with his “excessive attempt at cognitive order,” an Asperger’s-like condition in which he hears internal music, has a “pervasive interest” in religion, and has difficulty interpreting others’ meanings. But his lawyer father wants Marcelo to be more self-sufficient, making him take a summer j...more
I loved this book. Once I started, I could not put it down. Marcelo tells the story from his point of view and it really allows you to see how he is different. You can really see the emotional/social disconnect that is part of Marcelo's Asperger's Syndrome symptoms and how it effects Marcelo's life. This is one of those books that can change your mood and your outlook. It lifts you up and gives you hope. It is just so beautifully written and it really lets you see what life can be like for...more
Emma
rated it
Shelves:
books-worth-re-reading,
good-cover,
guy-i-wish-was-real,
hype,
slow,
realistic-fiction,
weird,
ya
The best thing about Marcelo in the Real World was Marcelo himself, the narrator. At first, he seems a bit odd and tough to get into his mind, but as the story progressed, I was able to start thinking of him as a person with differences, but not necessarily disabilities. If he was real, he would have been a very nice person, someone with a good soul, worth meeting. So, I liked the narrator, and also the premise, however, I wasn't quite sure where the author was going with all that Ixel stuff.
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Marcelo has been living a sheltered life attending Patterson, a special school for kids who are different, but now his father, Arturo, wants him to give up his summer job working with the ponies at Patterson to work at Arturo's law firm and to attend public high school for his senior year. Arturo thinks Marcelo needs some experience in the real world, they make a deal. If Marcelo can follow all the rules of the real world for the summer at the law firm (riding the train to work by himself, mak...more
Francisco X. Stork’s book Marcelo in the Real World begins just before main character Marcelo enters a summer internship for his father’s law firm. Sounds simple enough, right?
Marcelo has an autism-like condition that isolates him just enough to make him noticeable, yet he hesitates to call himself autistic. He doesn’t want to cheapen the term (or “Asperger’s Syndrome“) for those who suffer more extreme cases. This is just one example of Marcelo’s consideration and grace.
Marcelo’s...more
Marcelo has an autism-like condition that isolates him just enough to make him noticeable, yet he hesitates to call himself autistic. He doesn’t want to cheapen the term (or “Asperger’s Syndrome“) for those who suffer more extreme cases. This is just one example of Marcelo’s consideration and grace.
Marcelo’s...more
Marcelo Sandoval, a teen with an Asperger's-like condition, is about to start his last year of high school. His father, wanting him to be able to deal with "the real world," asks that he spend the summer working at his law office before deciding whether to continue at his sheltered special-needs school. Though Marcelo prefers his school, where he does good work with therapy horses, he strikes up a compromise with his father and enters the real world for the first time. It's difficult f...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RE: suffering | 2 | 14 | Oct 13, 2011 11:31am | |
| RE: religion | 1 | 6 | Sep 28, 2011 04:01pm | |
| RE: issues | 1 | 3 | Sep 28, 2011 03:59pm |
About Francisco X. Stork
Francisco Stork works in Boston as an attorney for a state agency that develops affordable housing. He is married to Jill Syverson-Stork. He has two children who are now adults.
Francisco Xavier Arguelles was born in 1953 in Monterrey, Mexico. Ruth Arguelles, his mother, was a single mother from a middle class family in Tampico (a city on the Gulf of ...more
More about Francisco X. Stork...
Francisco Stork works in Boston as an attorney for a state agency that develops affordable housing. He is married to Jill Syverson-Stork. He has two children who are now adults.
Francisco Xavier Arguelles was born in 1953 in Monterrey, Mexico. Ruth Arguelles, his mother, was a single mother from a middle class family in Tampico (a city on the Gulf of ...more
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6 trivia questions
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“Be in the world but not of the world.' The words are from Jesus. But I have not the slightest idea how to accomplish that or even if it's possible. The world will always poke you in the chest with its index finger.”
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13 people liked it
“Is not seeing any ugly parts in myself an ugly part? Is not wanting to forgive someone's ugly parts an ugly part in oneself?"
Yeah. I didn't understand a word you said, but yeah.”
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10 people liked it
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Yeah. I didn't understand a word you said, but yeah.”
Dec 29, 2011 12:40pm
twss
Dec 29, 2011 12:45pm