Rina's Family Secret (Roosevelt High School (Paperback)) - Softcover

Velasquez, Gloria

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1558852336 ISBN 13: 9781558852334

Publisher: Arte Publico Press, 1998

Synopsis

This compelling novel portrays, with realism and compassion, one young adult's experience with domestic violence and her attempts to keep it a secret from her friends.

This is the fourth novel in the Roosevelt High School Series, which features a multiracial group of teenaged students who must individually face social and cultural issues (such as violence, sexuality, and prejudice) inescapable among young adults today.

About this title

About the Author:

Gloria Velasquez is an award-winning writer of poetry and fiction. She is the author of two poetry collections. I Used to Be a Superwoman (1997) and Xicana on the Run (2006), and the Roosevelt High School Series: Teen Angel (2003), Ankiza (2000), Rina's Family Secret (1998), Maya's Divided World (1995), Tommy Stands Alone (1995), and Juanita Fights the School Board (1994), all from Pinata Books. Velasquez is currently a Professor in the Modern Languages and Literatures Department at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 7-10-The oldest of three children, Rina Morales lives with her mother and stepfather. When sober, Jose Morales is a loving and involved father figure. Drunk, however, he engages in acts of increasing violence toward Rina's mother and then toward her. Rina experiences the mixed emotions of anger and confusion; she is concerned for her mother and younger siblings and she cannot comprehend why her mother will not seek the appropriate restraining orders. The story is told from two perspectives: Rina's as well as that of Sandra Martinez, a counselor who has experienced similar problems with an alcoholic father. Rina's anger escalates to the extent that it spills over into all aspects of her life. The loyalty of friends and her counselor prevail, however, and she and Sandra are able to convince Rina's mother to take her children to a women's shelter where she is able to gain confidence and envision a future for herself. Velasquez touches on many social issues including teenage drinking, sex, and alcoholism. She writes convincingly of the teen's initial reluctance to reveal herself to members of a support group. However, the inclusion of untranslated Spanish terms is frustrating and the relative ease of the dissipation of Rina's anger is implausible given its intensity. Nevertheless, Velasquez accurately portrays the destructive cycle of domestic violence as well as the potential roles of counseling and social services in solving what may seem like insurmountable problems.
Sylvia V. Meisner, Allen Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Arte Publico Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 1558852336
• ISBN 13: 9781558852334
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152