Rosa by Any Other Name

In 1955 Phoenix, light-skinned Mexican American Rosa is starting her final year as a “two-faced imposter” at her all-white high school. There, she goes by Rosie and passes for white, hoping to better her chances of attending Arizona State College and becoming a writer. Outside of school, Rosa and her best friend, Ramón, live in South Phoenix, seemingly worlds apart from Rosa’s classmate, Julianne, the idealistic daughter of the county sheriff. When Julianne and Ramón accidentally meet and promptly fall in love, Rosa immediately grasps the potential danger of the situation for Ramón, which unfolds more tragically than Rosa anticipated. Alcaraz (Up in Flames) initially focuses on the Romeo and Juliet scenario, but as Rosa confronts its aftermath, the narrative expands to explore her awakening to the growing activism in her Mexican community. Led into political engagement by Ramón’s contemptuous older brother Marco, Rosa begins to understand the difference she can make for her people by fighting against injustice. Via sympathetic and fully three-dimensional Rosa’s narration, Alcaraz effectively portrays the “not quite white experience” of Mexicans during the 1950s in a well-plotted story that includes unexpected romance for Rosa, too. A reading list and author’s note conclude. Ages 14–up. Agent: Amy Stapp, Wolfson Literary. (Aug.)