Book Brief
176
Novel • Fiction
San Francisco area • 1990s
1991
Middle grade
10-14 years
Super Short Summary
In Taking Sides by Gary Soto, 12-year-old Lincoln Mendoza moves with his mother from San Francisco’s diverse Mission District to the suburban city of Sycamore, where he joins his new school's basketball team. As a game against his old school approaches, Lincoln grapples with his cultural identity and loyalty while navigating new friendships and the challenges of fitting in. The book addresses themes of burglaries and racial prejudice.
Contemplative
Emotional
Challenging
Bittersweet
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
1,118 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Reviews of Taking Sides by Gary Soto highlight its relatable portrayal of a teen facing cultural and personal conflicts. Readers appreciate the authentic depiction of a bicultural experience and the protagonist's growth. Some criticize the plot's predictability and feel character development could be deeper. Overall, it's praised for its realistic and engaging narrative.
Who Should Read Taking Sides?
Readers who enjoy Taking Sides by Gary Soto are typically middle school students facing cultural identity and fitting in challenges. Similar to The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan, they appreciate themes of identity, belonging, and adolescence within a multicultural context.
1,118 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
176
Novel • Fiction
San Francisco area • 1990s
1991
Middle grade
10-14 years
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