“Tangerine” Edward Bloor

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. Harcourt Children’s Books. 2006. (Includes “Afterword,” “Reader chat page

Mild mannered twelve-year-old Paul Fisher is the exact opposite of his cocky brother Erik. Though Paul is amazing as a soccer goalie, despite being legally blind, his father is only interested in Erik’s career as a star football player. Paul is terrified of his brother since Erik is always looking for ways to hurt him emotionally, mentally or physically.

When his middle school on the rich side of town gets damaged, Paul transfers to the poor school on the other side of town. At first he’s intimidated by the many differences between the schools but when he becomes a member of the soccer team, he becomes accepted by his fellow students who work hard on the citrus farms. There he learns what it means to be loyal and to have true friends. Throughout his struggles to do the right thing, and deal with his feelings towards Erik, a memory lingers at the back of his mind that began when he was five years old. When current events catch up to past events, the turmoil will cause everyone to rethink what it really means to be a family.

I loved Paul’s growth, and easily related to the kids at his new school. I wasn’t happy that a certain person didn’t get everything that was coming, and believed Paul’s parents were let off the hook too easily. Bloor’s detailed descriptions of the soccer games, as well as Paul’s identity struggles, will definitely catch hold of reluctant middle school readers.

Highly recommended for ages 11-14.