A Book Review Starring "We Were Here" by Matt de la Pena

The short version:
Stockton, CA native Miguel Castaneda is sentenced to live at a boys home in San Jose for an undisclosed offense. There he meets violent loner Mong who convinces him and his roommate Rondell to break out and make their way to Mexico with the promise that they will find jobs at a beach resort. Per the judge's orders Miguel keeps a journal of his experiences, which he continues of his own volition long after feeling obligated to do so.

The long version:
Turns out Miguel (and de la Pena) are really quite excellent at this journal writing thing.

The conceit of the journal as the basis for describing the unfolding events gives the story a real sense of urgency(due in no small part to de la Pena's incredibly storytelling skills). Everything rings true, including the plot developments but also how Miguel interprets and responds to other people and circumstances along the way.

de la Pena has really written a triumphant, engrossing story of what it means to be a teenage boy (with all the masculinity issues that go along with it), what it means to be a first generation Mexican-American, what it means to be mixed race. He covers all those bases with subtle, entertaining language that speaks in a voice of this particular kid. Miguel is funny, smart (but within the context of the character, as opposed to the author's voice) and yet still maintains his innocence and vulnerability and the brazenness and impulsiveness that comes with being a fifteen year old boy.

He not only has created a main character who makes you turn pages, he also creates secondary characters of equal pathos and individuality who you feel for from the start. Mong and Rondell are so wonderfully and painfully realized with such great depth of character. Your heart will break for all of them.

At the same time, de la Pena has realized a plot that could have easily gone awry but never does. A road trip in which three newly homeless, troubled kids try to make from San Jose to the border could have easily devolved into episodic plot points without necessarily evolving in intensity. Even some of the trickier plot points, of which there are a couple, are handled with authenticity and ring true instead of devices.

The book has its necessary violence and explicit language, all well in keeping with the story de la Pena tells. And the story he tells is pretty special.