Drift

An explosive, fierce, and lyrical novel, set in the barrios of San Antonio and Los Angeles, from an electrifying new voice in American fiction

At sixteen, Robert Lomos has lost his family. His father, a Latin jazz musician, has left San Antonio for life on the road as a cool-hand playboy. His mother, shattered by a complete emotional and psychological breakdown, has moved to Los Angeles and taken Robert's little brother with her. Only his iron-willed grandmother, worn down by years of hard work, is left. But Robert's got a plan: Duck trouble, save his money, and head to California to put the family back together. Trouble is, no one believes a delinquent Mexican American kid has a chance--least of all, Robert himself.

Wrenching and wise, Drift gives an unflinching vision of the menace of adolescence, the hard edge of physical labor, and the debts we owe to family.

Author: Manuel Luis Martinez
Publisher: Picador USA
Published: 04/01/2003
Pages: 264
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 8.21h x 5.43w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780312309954

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 01/27/2003 pg. 232
Booklist 01/01/2003 pg. 848
Kirkus Reviews 02/01/2003 pg. 169
Voice of Youth Advocates 02/01/2004 pg. 496
ALA Best Books Young Adults 03/15/2004 pg. 1282

About the Author

Manuel Luis Martinez is Assistant Professor of American literature at Indiana University. His novella, Crossing, was selected as one of the ten outstanding books by a writer of color by the PEN American Center. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.