"Cisneros always writes characters full of foibles and humor and human warmth, and he really knows his basketball.” — Carlos Hernandez, Pura Belpré-winning author of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
"With characters so true to life that they practically jump off the page, Falling Short is the perfect balance of humor and heart. If books were basketball, author Ernesto Cisneros just made a slam dunk." — Sarah Scheerger, author of Operation Frog Effect
"A beautiful Latinx novel about friendship, determination, and the gift of self-acceptance. Cisneros knocks down a game winner with Falling Short ." — Newbery Medalist Matt de la Peña
"Cisneros’ touching sophomore novel is an ideal pick for sports fans and will reel in reluctant readers." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"At every turn, Isaac and Marco support each other in this affirming story of basketball, middle school, friendship, and family, and choosing kindness and determination over easy cowardice or cruelty." — School Library Journal (starred review)
"Told through animated alternating first-person chapters, Cisneros’s story not only captures the anxiety—and at times, humor—of trying to measure up to expectations, it also tackles delicate subject matter, such as parental absence and alcohol reliance, with profound sensitivity and nuance. A narrative slam dunk for fans of Donna Barba Higuera and Meg Medina." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A well-told story of family, friends, basketball, and life." — Horn Book Magazine
"In this novel told through the alternating points of view of both protagonists, readers will closely follow the struggles and insecurities both characters experience while also observing a beautiful and endearing friendship. Cisneros has once again written an inspiring story that will have an immense emotional effect on all who read it." — Booklist
★ 01/24/2022
Cisneros (Efrén Divided ) follows up his Pura Belpré Award–winning debut with a playful and perceptive middle grade contemporary tale about two best friends that’s dedicated to “everyone who has ever felt like they fall short of what the world expects of them.” It’s the start of sixth grade at California’s Mendez Middle School, and best friends Isaac Castillo, who is of Mexican descent, and Marco Honeyman, who is “half-Jewish, half-Mexican,” have big goals for the school year. Though Isaac is a gifted basketball player who displays excellent sportsmanship on the court, he struggles to get good grades. Meanwhile, Marco, a short-statured, self-professed “geek” and straight-A student, has no natural aptitude for sports. But with renewed efforts—and each other’s help—they aim to become all-rounders on and off the court (“Win or lose, you gotta keep shooting the ball—because eventually, it will go in”). Told through animated alternating first-person chapters, Cisneros’s story not only captures the anxiety—and at times, humor—of trying to measure up to expectations, it also tackles delicate subject matter, such as parental absence and alcohol reliance, with profound sensitivity and nuance. A narrative slam dunk for fans of Donna Barba Higuera and Meg Medina. Ages 8–12. Agent: Deborah Warren, East/West Literary. (Mar.)
"A well-told story of family, friends, basketball, and life."
"A beautiful Latinx novel about friendship, determination, and the gift of self-acceptance. Cisneros knocks down a game winner with Falling Short ."
Newbery Medalist Matt de la Peña
"In this novel told through the alternating points of view of both protagonists, readers will closely follow the struggles and insecurities both characters experience while also observing a beautiful and endearing friendship. Cisneros has once again written an inspiring story that will have an immense emotional effect on all who read it."
"With characters so true to life that they practically jump off the page, Falling Short is the perfect balance of humor and heart. If books were basketball, author Ernesto Cisneros just made a slam dunk."
"Cisneros always writes characters full of foibles and humor and human warmth, and he really knows his basketball.
"In this novel told through the alternating points of view of both protagonists, readers will closely follow the struggles and insecurities both characters experience while also observing a beautiful and endearing friendship. Cisneros has once again written an inspiring story that will have an immense emotional effect on all who read it."
★ 01/01/2022
Gr 4–7— Marco Honeyman and Isaac Castillo are next-door neighbors and best friends, despite their apparent differences: Jewish-Mexican Marco is small and book-smart, while Isaac, who is also Latinx, is a gifted and hard-working basketball player who struggles to manage his homework. Part of Marco and Isaac's bond is their desire for approval from their divorced parents. Isaac hopes his mom won't give up on him the way she gave up on his dad because of his drinking, and Marco wishes his dad would come back and be proud of him. When they enter middle school, Marco and Isaac stand by each other, despite different classes and friend groups. When Marco decides to try out for the baseketball team to impress his father (despite never playing before), Isaac coaches him. The boys' bond of friendship is the core of the story; they have honest conversations, admire each other's good qualities, and support each other through anxiety attacks and family problems. After a tough tournament game, Isaac concludes, "Life is like a game of basketball…it pretty much comes down to the hustle we put in." VERDICT At every turn, Isaac and Marco support each other in this affirming story of basketball, middle school, friendship, and family, and choosing kindness and determination over easy cowardice or cruelty. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.—Jenny Arch
Timothy Andrés Pabon and Gary Tiedemann adeptly narrate this story about middle-school angst and basketball. Issac and Marco have been neighbors and best friends since kindergarten. Marco is an A student whose parents' recent divorce has made him sad. He hopes that playing basketball will get his father’s attention. Issac excels at sports but not academics. He hopes that better grades will improve his tense home situation. The boys will help each other with more than grades and basketball. As narrator, Pabon moves seamlessly between English and Spanish in a smooth and pleasant tone. Tiedemann’s touching performance has just the right amount of emotion. This is a highly engaging story about friendship and family. Humor makes it even better! A.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Timothy Andrés Pabon and Gary Tiedemann adeptly narrate this story about middle-school angst and basketball. Issac and Marco have been neighbors and best friends since kindergarten. Marco is an A student whose parents' recent divorce has made him sad. He hopes that playing basketball will get his father’s attention. Issac excels at sports but not academics. He hopes that better grades will improve his tense home situation. The boys will help each other with more than grades and basketball. As narrator, Pabon moves seamlessly between English and Spanish in a smooth and pleasant tone. Tiedemann’s touching performance has just the right amount of emotion. This is a highly engaging story about friendship and family. Humor makes it even better! A.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
★ 2021-12-24
Brand-new sixth graders Isaac Castillo and Marco Honeyman are more like family than friends. Despite their apparent differences—Isaac’s a talented basketball player who struggles academically, while Marco’s a supershort straight-A student who prefers chess to contact sports—they have been inseparable besties since kindergarten. Isaac knows how to talk Marco through his panic attacks and discussions of his absent father, and Marco calmly listens to Isaac’s fears about his father’s not-so-secret alcohol abuse. After a misunderstanding leads Isaac’s former teammates to convince Marco he could be their middle school basketball team’s next Muggsy Bogues (the smallest player in NBA history), Marco and Isaac dedicate themselves to getting him a spot on the team, even though he’s never played before. The dual point-of-view story repudiates toxic masculinity and encourages collaboration and generosity. The quick-moving plot also spotlights the various ways preteens and their parents fall short of their goals only to end up stronger because of their resilience and grit. Both protagonists are Latinx: Isaac is Jewish and Mexican, and Marco is Mexican American. Cisneros’ touching sophomore novel is an ideal pick for sports fans and will reel in reluctant readers.
A touching exploration of friendship, teamwork, and Mamba Mentality. (author’s note) (Fiction. 9-13)
