Saints of the Household

Plot Summary
Jay and Max have moved as one throughout their whole lives. As Costa Rican Minnesotans, they are bonded by their unique cultural background and shared trauma. As their father's beatings continue to escalate, the boys bring the violence out of their home into the community. After they turn their anger on beloved soccer captain Luca, the fallout from their actions separates the two brothers. They come to terms with what they have done and what has been done to them.  

Critical Evaluation

    I thought I had avoided prose and verse in my book selections, and then got to the last book in my pile and found I had both in one story. Usually, I do not enjoy prose or verse because the attention to format makes the story too choppy for me to completely immerse myself. This book changed my preconceptions on the formatting and was an engaging read. The serious nature of Jay is captured in verse, and the artistic side of Max is captured in prose. And I was surprised by how much information I learned from the passages in prose, with only one chapter leaning towards more abstract narration. 

  I also did not mind the constant changing of perspectives. As my fourth book in the collection to hop around perspectives from either characters or time periods, I have grown tired of the back and forth. However, this story does not reexamine events through Max and Jay separately and keeps the story moving forward chronologically. The abuse that the boys face is tragic, but the author does a beautiful job of detailing their recovery and including their initial highs of finding escape, followed by the lows of PTSD and depression as they work towards normalcy. 

Creative Use for a Library Program

  Open Mic Night: Encourage teens to create poems and stories in a creative writing group that will meet once or repeatedly to prepare for a performance. At open mic night at the library, invite friends and family and serve light refreshments.

Book Talk

  Max and Jay are the brooding bullies of their school. That's what everyone believes, especially after they beat up the charismatic Luca. As they struggle to get through their last year of high school, everyone learns that there is more to the story of Max and Jay. 

Reason for Inclusion

The characters and experiences in this novel can act as a mirror and a window for readers in two ways. One, the boys are cultural outsiders as a Costa Rican family living in Minnesota. And two, they are facing child abuse at the hands of their father. For any teen going through either experience, this novel is a reflection (mirror) of their reality and can help with feelings of isolation. As a window into these difficulties, the story creates empathy in readers without lived experiences. Prose and Verse are also popular formats to use with reluctant readers who prefer shorter texts. 

Potential Challenges and  Defense Preparation

This book does not have a history of censorship but does have mature themes of violence and child abuse. The best defense for any library is a strong reconsideration policy.