Quotes
“Insightful…Readers
will find it easy to empathize with both protagonists as Frederick gradually
comes to terms with being gay—and shares his secret with Xio…For the most part
this is a well-crafted novel. The author maps out spot-on issues for this age
group, from name-calling to self-questioning to worrying about what others
think. These believable narrators face realistic and complicated problems—and
demonstrate an inspiring model of acceptance.” Publishers Weekly
“Adventurous,
multifaceted, funny, and unpredictably insightful, Sanchez’s novel drops
melodramatic pretense and gels well-rounded characterizations with the universal
excitement of first love.” School Library Journal
“This
novel is a well-structured, beautifully rendered story of two wonderful young
people. Readers will come to love them. Sanchez creates a nice story about genuine
teens who do not let each other or themselves down.” VOYA
“In
alternate chapters by Frederick and Xio, the novel’s plot unfolds easily and
realistically, as both characters arrive at their revelations independently.” Children’s Literature
“Most
young adolescents routinely agonize over questions like ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What
am I?’ Sometimes, as Sanchez dramatizes in this story of emotional exploration,
the answers are difficult to discover…By alternating between Xio’s and
Frederick’s first-person point of view, Sanchez does a good job of exploring
both the evolution of their tangled emotions and the nature of friendship…Sanchez
understands the inner lives of kids, and, in writing one of the few
middle-grade novels on this aspect of sexual identity, he does a service for questioning
youth.” Booklist
“Sanchez,
whose first two titles were for YA, writes for a younger audience quite
convincingly. Xio and Frederick alternate chapters to tell their story and
their voices are distinct and believable. As with his previous efforts, the
prose style is serviceable and coincidence helps tie things up neatly, but many
young teens, gay and straight, will see themselves and their friends in these
characters. “ Kirkus Reviews
“Sanchez
effectively differentiates Xio’s bubbly, garrulous narration and Frederick’s
tentative and uncertain voice, and the clear depictions help make the
characters the driving force of this novel…The emotional core of the story
remains solid and authentic. The inclusion of Xio’s viewpoint means that
readers identifying with Frederick encounter a model of survivable reaction
from a friend, and they also get to see the kind of confusion and
disappointment self-misrepresentation can cause in those whose lives they
touch. Subplots such as...the atmosphere of the multi-ethnic, Latino-rich
California community add dimension to the narrative. A lot of kids question
their identity before the traditional YA bracket, and this accessible read will
give them reassurance and food for thought. Recommended.” Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“In So
Hard to Say [Alex Sanchez] expertly captures Frederick and Xio’s thoughts,
emotions, and language and conveys them with such perfect pitch that you feel
like you’re right there with these two young people as they talk to you about
their innermost feelings and thoughts.” Eric Marcus, author of Is It a Choice?
“So Hard to Say is funny and clever and
heartbreaking and, ultimately, healing.” Jacqueline Woodson, author of Locomotion
“Bravo to
Alex Sanchez for this tightly crafted and heartfelt novel. Its readers will
recognize in its sympathetic characters the boy who sits next to them in class,
the girl who lives down the street, and, just possibly, themselves.” James Howe, author of The Misfits
