Accidental Love

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Soto, Gary. 2006. ACCIDENTAL LOVE. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt Books. ISBN 9780152061135

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Accidental Love is about Marisa Rodriguez, a 14 year old Latino girl who is known for a hot temper and bad grades. When Marisa gets in a fight with Roberto, her best friend’s boyfriend, Rene who is Roberto’s math tutor breaks it up. During the brawl, Marisa accidentally picks up Rene’s cell phone. When Marisa and Rene exchange cell phones and instant attraction becomes evident. Marisa transfers to Rene’s school where their relationship continues to grow and together they decide to work on their fitness, Marisa losing weight and Rene lifting weights. As they continue to date, Rene’s mother finds out and forbids him from seeing Marisa. When Rene doesn’t stop seeing Marisa, his mother informs the school that Marisa does not live in the district and is using her aunt’s address. Marisa is forced to return to her old school where she is treated as an outsider. Marisa suggests to Rene that he talk to his dad about his mom’s domineering and mean attitude toward him. When his dad finds bruises and scratches on Rene, he suggests that he move in with him. This move places Rene in Marisa’s old school district and helps to reunite them once again.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Gary Soto has written Accidental Love with young people in mind. This is a sensitive yet humorous love story that brings both emotion and teenage issues into the forefront. It deals with issues that include popularity, obesity, abuse, and relationships. The characters that are presented in this story are both realistic and credible which will help readers relate to the problems that they face throughout the story. However, Marisa’s character seems to be the one that matures and grows the most. You see this when she struggles with her anger outburst and tries to control them. In the end she seems like she has succeeded in her endeavors to keep her temper at hand.
Some cultural markers include the closeness that is portrayed when the aunt allows Marisa to use her address so that she can attend the Magnet school and she sleeps over several times a week. There are Spanish words that are sprinkled throughout the text that gives authenticity to the text such as mentiroso(liar), cholo (gangsters), and pendejo(dummy) with a glossary at the back of the book to help the reader understand. There are also foods that are connected to the Latino/Hispanic culture used such as enchiladas, refried beans, rice and churno’s(Mexican doughnuts).
The author lets the reader know that Rene’s mother takes a stereotypical view on Marisa and views her as a gangster girl because she lives in the wrong neighborhood.
The underlying theme of the story and the lesson that Marisa learns is that, as long as you are happy and like yourself it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publisher’s Weekly: “The teens' struggles shine through with simplicity and authenticity. Soto fluidly incorporates Spanish words into the dialogue (and ends with a glossary). He successfully bridges gender and cultural issues that affect teens, while pinpointing details that portray life in California's Central Valley.”

School Library Journal: “However, it's hard not to like spunky Marisa and appreciate the fresh point of view she brings to what otherwise might be a typical teen romance.”

Booklist: “With humor and insight, he creates memorable, likable characters in Marisa and Rene, who find support and love by valuing authenticity and sweetness over cool.”

5. CONNECTIONS
Soto, Gary. BASEBALL IN APRIL AND OTHER STORIES. ISBN 9780152025670
Soto, Gary. BURIED ONIONS. ISBN 9780152062651
Soto, Gary. THE AFTERLIFE. ISBN 0152047743