Here the Whole Time

September 15, 2020
Seventeen-year-old Felipe's winter break takes a turn when neighbor Caio's parents go on a trip and he comes to stay. What was supposed to be three weeks of sitting at home in his apartment in a small Brazilian town surfing the internet becomes a nerve-wracking ordeal for Felipe, who's had a crush on Caio since childhood. It doesn't help that Felipe is shy and self-conscious about his weight, both of which make him a target for school bullies. His therapist encourages him to initiate interactions, but the thought of Caio's attention being directed toward him makes Felipe incredibly uncomfortable. And yet, as the days pass, awkward small talk transitions into casual late-night chats, leading to genuine conversations that allow the boys to open up to one another, including sharing their respective coming-out experiences. The novel, narrated in the first-person, expresses Felipe's internal turmoil as he endures living in close quarters with a boy he finds irresistible and who, it turns out, also enjoys reading Tolkien, makes delicious brigadeiros, and is happy to join in the daily themed activities planned by Felipe's supportive single mother. Felipe's struggle with body image and self-perception is presented thoughtfully, and the frankness with which he tells his story is at turns hilarious and heart-wrenching. All characters are Brazilian; Felipe's therapist and Caio's best friend are Black, and the impact of race is discussed in the story. An uplifting, body-positive story about finding courage and love. (Romance. 14-18)

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November 20, 2020

Gr 9 Up-At 17, Felipe, who enjoys living with his single, artsy, and understanding mom in an apartment complex, is comfortable with being gay. However, he's uncomfortable with being fat and feeling too vulnerable to others' judgments. Then Caio, a more outgoing boy from a neighboring apartment, is sent by his own overprotective mother, who is going away for a 15-day vacation, to stay under Felipe's mom's care. Felipe and Caio interact socially for the first time in years, though as kids they happily played mermaids together in the complex pool. Brazilian author Martins pulls readers quickly into the story as it unfolds from Felipe's shy and introverted viewpoint, making both boys, the friends Caio introduces to Felipe, Felipe's mother, and every other character-from children to bullying teens to Felipe's therapist-realistic and compelling. Scenes and actions flow organically in Martins's empathetic prose and Helena's lovely translation. Both Felipe and Caio confront fears, in large part through the kind interventions of each other. All characters are Brazilian, and two characters are Black. VERDICT This LGBTQ-themed story with a soul that goes well beyond exploring queer identity will delight teen readers of realistic fiction.-Francisca Goldsmith, Lib. Ronin, Worcester, MA

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