Elkeles, Simone. Rules of Attraction

Elkeles, Simone. Rules of Attraction
Walker & Co 2010 326p 16.99
978-0-8027-2085-6 hs Multicultural E-BN

Carlos is remanded to live with a college professor and his family after being set up in a drug search at high school. Carlos, a bit of a smart aleck and no fan of rules, learns about love as he falls for the daughter of the professor. A feel good novel. Grades 8-12.
A sequel to Perfect Chemistry, that is similar in theme. Carlos, a Mexican American, living with his brother Alex in Colorado Springs misses his gang friends in Chicago, Carlos is dismayed when he is set up during a drug search at school by a drug dealer who has merged his drug operation with the Chicago gang. Because Carlos won’t snitch, he is remanded to live with a college professor, his wife and two children, ever mindful that the drug dealer will extract a payment from Carlos. Carlos, never a fan of rules, has a hard time settling into the professor’s family life. He and Kiara, also a high school student, butt heads over almost everything. Carlos tries to stay tough, but finds himself warming up to the unconditional love of the parents. Told in alternating chapters between Carlos and Kiara, there is humor, playful insults, and finally a realization by Kiara that Carlos is really a good guy under his bravado and machismo. Love between them blossoms through a set of challenges that they throw at each other. An insightful look at the life of a troubled Mexican American who is placed in an affluent white household. The ending is rip-roaring dangerous. Great feel good reading. Grades 8-12.
Strongly recommended where Perfect Chemistry was popular. Insightful look at the life of a troubled Mexican American who is placed in an affluent white household. A truly feel good story that will be requested by girls in grades 8-12. McNicol,Lois