Schraff, Anne. Unbroken. (Urban Underground)

Schraff, Anne.     Unbroken.  (Urban Underground)             Saddleback          201p      $15.00  978-1-61651-960-5   2012             hs             VG-BN      Realistic fiction                                 

David Morales has managed to survive two years of prison, and now he is ready to leave and become a responsible citizen.  He has the support of his brother, who helps him find a job and, as it turns out, he falls in love with the boss’ daughter.  She doesn’t know about his criminal past, and a lot of the story revolves around her potential reaction if and when he decides to tell her.

Morality tales are not the stuff that usually would be of interest to YA readers, but this book is perhaps an exception to that rule.  The story of David Morales leaving prison after serving two years, and his strong desire to be a responsible citizen, makes for an interesting story.  But the book is not solely about David.  His brother and his new girlfriend, and their families, all illustrate the ways in which immigrant families close to the bottom of the socio-economic strata, are solid, loving, and supportive of each other.  The author portrays the bario as a place with good and bad, just like any community, and the importance of neighbor helping neighbor.  The emphasis, in this story about David and his girlfriend Carmen, is trust, and the importance of being truthful with the ones you love.            

Prison-Fiction, Brothers-Fiction                                                                                                                                                       --Lynn Fisher