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A review by bethanymiller415
Bait by Alex Sanchez
3.0
Diego MacMann has trouble controlling his anger. When a gay student at his school looks at him in a way that makes Diego uncomfortable, he responds by punching him in the face. Because of this, he gets put on probation, which means that he is required to attend weekly meetings with his probation officer Mr. Vidas. Diego’s father has never been a part of his life and his stepfather committed a suicide a few years back. His mother seems to be in denial about many of the things that are going on in their lives. Diego slowly begins to trust Mr. Vidas, and he becomes the one adult that Diego can be completely open with. Thanks to this trusting relationship, Diego is able to make progress with his anger management issues by confiding in Mr. Vidas some secrets from his past. While at the mall with friends one day, Diego runs into Mr. Vidas and another man who he realizes is Mr. Vidas’s partner. Finding out that Mr. Vidas is gay makes Diego question everything about him and their relationship. Eventually, he realizes that Mr. Vidas’s sexual orientation doesn’t change who he is, and Mr. Vidas helps Diego to move past some traumatic events from his childhood.
Although Bait is somewhat predictable and at times unrealistic, Sanchez is successful in telling a story of hope for victims of abuse. Though Diego’s actions are sometimes unrealistic - choosing to go on probation, his quick change of heart in regards to Mr. Vidas - most readers will forgive these flaws. Diego is a sympathetic character whose conflicted feelings about his abuser and his mother (who knew about the abuse and didn’t stop it) are realistic and will be easy for victims of abuse to relate to. Diego’s memories of the sexual abuse he endured are dealt with honestly but not graphically. Mr. Vidas is an important character in that he is a positive male role model who just happens to be gay. This is something that we don’t see often enough in teen literature. Bait is a solid purchase for that reason alone, and it will appeal to teens who are drawn to stories with heavy subject matter.
Although Bait is somewhat predictable and at times unrealistic, Sanchez is successful in telling a story of hope for victims of abuse. Though Diego’s actions are sometimes unrealistic - choosing to go on probation, his quick change of heart in regards to Mr. Vidas - most readers will forgive these flaws. Diego is a sympathetic character whose conflicted feelings about his abuser and his mother (who knew about the abuse and didn’t stop it) are realistic and will be easy for victims of abuse to relate to. Diego’s memories of the sexual abuse he endured are dealt with honestly but not graphically. Mr. Vidas is an important character in that he is a positive male role model who just happens to be gay. This is something that we don’t see often enough in teen literature. Bait is a solid purchase for that reason alone, and it will appeal to teens who are drawn to stories with heavy subject matter.