Both protagonists are Latinx: Marco is Jewish and Mexican, and Marco is Mexican American. The quick-moving plot also spotlights the various ways preteens and their parents fall short of their goals only to end up stronger because of their resilience and grit. The dual point-of-view story repudiates toxic masculinity and encourages collaboration and generosity. After a misunderstanding leads Isaac’s former teammates to convince Marco he could be their middle school basketball team’s next Muggsy Bogues (the smallest player in NBA history), Marco and Isaac dedicate themselves to getting him a spot on the team, even though he’s never played before. Isaac knows how to talk Marco through his panic attacks and discussions of his absent father, and Marco calmly listens to Isaac’s fears about his father’s not-so-secret alcohol abuse. Despite their apparent differences-Isaac’s a talented basketball player who struggles academically, while Marco’s a supershort straight-A student who prefers chess to contact sports-they have been inseparable besties since kindergarten.

Together neighbors and friends Isaac and Marco navigate the challenges of middle school, divorced parents, and basketball tryouts.īrand-new sixth graders Isaac Castillo and Marco Honeyman are more like family than friends. Agent: Deborah Warren, East/West Literary.'A t ouching exploration of friendship, teamwork, and Mamba Mentality.' A narrative slam dunk for fans of Donna Barba Higuera and Meg Medina. Told through animated alternating first-person chapters, Cisneros's story not only captures the anxiety and at times, humor of trying to measure up to expectations, it also tackles delicate subject matter, such as parental absence and alcohol reliance, with profound sensitivity and nuance. But with renewed efforts and each other's help they aim to become all-rounders on and off the court ('Win or lose, you gotta keep shooting the ball because eventually, it will go in').

Meanwhile, Marco, a short-statured, self-professed 'geek' and straight-A student, has no natural aptitude for sports.

Though Isaac is a gifted basketball player who displays excellent sportsmanship on the court, he struggles to get good grades. Cisneros (Efr n Divided) follows up his Pura Belpr Award winning debut with a playful and perceptive middle grade contemporary tale about two best friends that's dedicated to 'everyone who has ever felt like they fall short of what the world expects of them.' It's the start of sixth grade at California's Mendez Middle School, and best friends Isaac Castillo, who is of Mexican descent, and Marco Honeyman, who is 'half-Jewish, half-Mexican,' have big goals for the school year.

Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros