TRINO'S TIME

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bertrand, Diane Gonzales. 2001. Trino's Time. Arte Publico Press. ISBN-10: 1558853162 ISBN-13: 978-1558853164

PLOT SUMMARY

Trino is a young Hispanic boy that takes the hardships of life in stride. He helps his single mother with the care of his three brothers. His mother lost her job and it is difficult to pay for the things they need. Trino's family has been eating a lot of eggs and tortilla's. The earnings from his labor at a local store help to buy food for his family. Mr.Epifano hired Trino to help out at his store for two dollars and the old perishables and dented cans. Trino's friends had beaten Mr. Epifano in a robbery. Mr. Epifano was a difficult man but Trino feels bad that he had been beaten.

Memories of his best friend's death during a robbery haunt Trino. He sees the value in making better choices for himself. He is inspired to do better in school by the coach and his new friends. Trino is proud of the Mexican man Navarro in his school project. Navarro had signed the Texas Declaration of Independence with the memorable words, "Time will speak for everything." Trino researches his project at the college library. He encourages his mom to seek a job cleaning at the college despite her insecurities of being a high school drop out.

When a tree falls on the roof, destroying their mobile home Trino rescues his mother. Trino is recognized as a hero when he is interviewed on the news. Trino 's determination comes from his goal to help his family.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Trino's Time is an interesting book for 10 and up. Trino is mature for his years and recognizes that hard work and determination are needed to get by in life. The characters are identifiable for young people in their quest to become adults. Trino discovers that good friends can be found when you least expect it. Trino chooses to follow his own path rather than the path of his old friends that committed a crime. The difficulties experienced by Trino's family are believable and not sensationalized. The struggle for survival in poor Hispanic single parent families is an accepted reality. The story gives hope for a better future for Trino as he sees the value of education.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal-Grade 6-9-The 13-year-old introduced in Trino's Choice (Pi-ata, 1999) is having a difficult life at home and at school. Recently, he has been trying to come to grips with the death of his best friend during an attempted robbery at a car wash-a robbery for which Trino barely missed being implicated. He and his three younger brothers live in a trailer park in Texas with their poorly educated mother who does her best but barely manages to support them. When she loses her job, the family struggles just to get food and clothing. Luckily, Trino is able to find some work and his mother's new boyfriend takes the family under his wing. At the same time, a group of teens at school shows Trino the true meaning of friendship, and he even embarks on his first romance. As he begins to trust in his own abilities, he discovers that he really is smart, and that school can be fun and challenging, and can teach him some important things about his heritage. Through his example, his mother finds the courage to get a job for which she had been embarrassed to apply. When a terrible storm leaves the family homeless, Trino finally gets the chance to prove he has changed for the better. The story has high interest and a quick pace with realistic dialogue including suitably placed Spanish words and phrases. Characters are likable and carefully drawn. Those readers who were frustrated with the open-ended conclusion of the earlier title will find satisfaction in this well-written sequel.Diane P. Tuccillo, Mesa Public Library, AZ Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. BooklistGr. 6-12. In Bertrand's solid follow-up to the award-winning Trino's Choice (1999), 15-year-old Trino moves past the haunting memory of his friend's murder and takes on more responsibility in his family. To contribute to the small household income, Trino accepts a job in a grocery store, taking time from friends and schoolwork. When he's assigned a biographical report on Jose Antonio Navarro, Trino finds a hero who helps him aspire to more than just survival. The drama is seldom intense in the story, but the emotions are sincere, and selfless Trino is an appealing protagonist. Family ties are strong, and the teen issues, especially Trino's struggle between wanting to do for himself and sacrificing for his family, are entirely believable. Surrounded by a volatile mother, her well-meaning but less-than-stellar boyfriend, and young siblings, Trino is the anchor that keeps his family, and this novel, firmly planted in reality. Roger LeslieCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

CONNECTIONS

TRINO"S CHOICE. Pinata Books; 1st edition (1999) Language: English ISBN-10: 1558852689 ISBN-13: 978-1558852686