Falling Short, Ernesto Cisneros (Book Review)

Summary: Falling Short

In Falling Short, we meet Marco and Isaac. They’ve been besties for as long as they can remember and now they share one pain in common: both their dads aren’t in their lives as they’d like. Isaac’s dad is attentive but currently struggling with alcoholism. Marco’s dad wishes Marco were more athletic, instead of nerdy.

At the start of middle school, both boys decide to help each other reach their goals. For Isaac, it’s getting better at more than just basketball — getting better grades and being more responsible. And for Marco, it’s learning a sport: basketball. Can they reach their goals? And will their friendship survive it?

The Good

This book is written from two perspectives — Marco’s and Isaac’s. I love these kinds of stories with multiple narrators because I feel like I get a broader look at the plot and characters. Throughout the story, both boys wish they had one thing that the other had, be it a relationship with their father or book smarts. The author depicts well that feeling of not measuring up to others around you. Still, I liked that the boys never try to hurt each other, instead, they let their emotions move them to do more for each other.

Isaac and Marco have a heartwarming friendship and it really is the premise and center of this story. They continue to look out for each other and show up for each other through the ups and downs of school and life. Isaac’s dad has developed an alcohol problem and it’s heartbreaking to see how Isaac navigates that, trying to figure out how to protect his dad without embarrassing him before his mom or other people and that becomes a major plot point.

The basketball scenes in this book and well-written and I loved watching Marco learn the game. Finally, I appreciated that the boys’ school (at least their basketball coach) had no tolerance for bullying or bullies. It’s refreshing to see bullies face consequences, even though it doesn’t happen often enough in real life.

Overall: Falling Short

I loved this look at a warm friendship bond between boys. There’s plenty of basketball, Latin-American family and warmth, and middle school antics including bullying, comparison, and budding friendships. This is a sweet book that will resonate with any kid who feels like they’re falling short — and a reminder that we’re often better than we give ourselves credit for.