Rating: 
Summary: You know this is real when you have seen it.
Review: I heard of this book from a friend who should I should read it..It took me a whie to get a hold of it but when I did I couldn't put it down..I read the book in two days..Everything he states that has happened in his life I truly believe, living in the inner city of chicago that is the way it is..with family being gang members I have seen this around me..I have lived in the neighborhoods stated in the book and know what it is like first hand..I commend "Reymundo" on his bravery to get out of the gangs while he can..This is something I have told friends of mine that are in gangs but they won't listen..I believe they carry the same fear that "Reymundo" had but are too scared to stand up to the fear..This is life where we are from and people believe it is too late to change things but if we really did try we can.."Reymundo", Good job on a great book and I am glad that you made it through on all you've been through..If you have yet to read the book..I say "READ IT!!!!". You will not reget it!!!
Rating:
Summary: Una aficionada
Review: This book is a realistic depictment of a day in the life of a gangbanger. Reymundo Sanchez excels in making the reader understand the agony and misfortune that result in this type of lifestyle. To our youth: may this book inspire you to reflect on the importance of self-value, education and freedom.
Rating: 
Summary: Sad, hard to digest, but triumphant!
Review: The story of "Lil' Loco" (the author's nickname) is a sad indictment of how family and society have and continue to fail children. Like "Sanchez," I am Puerto Rican and lived in the Humboldt Park neighborhood during the years he did, and attended Von Humboldt (I was two years ahead of him); however, my family moved from the area in '71. I remember hearing about a murder here and there, but the amount of violence that occurred in Sanchez' life proves that many crimes go unreported. Although I was verbally, emotionally and sexually abused by my stepfather, I had a strong, hardworking mother who tried her best to protect and guide me, which was something Sanchez did not have. In addition, I had a passion for reading and writing and instead of fleeing outdoors, I hid in my room. Sanchez' sex partners, so-called brothers and surrogate "mothers" provided him with love and a sense of belonging only temporarily; nothing can replace the nurturing and guidance that a mother (or an extended family) can provide. Although the writing seems rushed and lacks the lyrical prose that would have made it this a great book (i.e. Piri Thomas' "Down These Mean Streets"), this should be required reading for all grade and high school students. The sad part is that not much has changed in the Chicago PR community (although the Humboldt Park area is now undergoing a massive gentrification). The children born of these former gangbangers are now repeating the cycle, if not by joining the "bloody life" (which has spread to Puerto Rico), but by having children too soon themselves, further narrowing the generation gap. The drop-out rate at Roberto Clemente and other predominantly Latino Chicago area high schools continue to exceed those of their white counterparts. Puerto Ricans as American citizens have yet to reach the educational and occupational achievements of newly arrived immigrants from such countries as India, Vietnam and the Phillipines (and I'm not talking about sports figures and celebrities). I only hope "our people" stuck in this "Middle East" and "Belfast" mentality of self-hatred and kin-killing will open their eyes, as Lil' Loco did-soon. ON A PERSONAL NOTE TO "Mr. Sanchez": I sincerely hope and pray that you reach your goal of a college education. If you can survive that bloody mess, the rest "es un pedacito de'l pastel." God Bless!
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't put it down!!
Review: I could not put this book down!! I always try to read books that I can relate to. Being a young puertorican woman, I had to get this book, and I couldn't help by feeling sad for this person and what he had to go through. I literally felt his pain and his fears. I hope that he doensn't give up his dreams of getting his degree. My brother , you CAN do it. The hard part is done....
Rating:
Summary: wow..
Review: i went into this book thinking it was just another stupid book, just another thing to kill time. I actually realized somethings. I think Reymundo does a wonderful job discribing his life, his misfortunes. He is awfully clear and perscise. I could not put it down. He realizes his own short comings, but also realizes that by moving on from his traumatic experiences, he is making a new chapter in his life. He is much more insightful and mature in his thoughts then i would have ever expected or hoped for. This book exceeded my expectations, and it is a great read, you will be touched.
Rating: 
Summary: Reymundo's Book Not Bad - For Fiction
Review: As a Veterano member of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation, and an educated man who has, for the last 7 years, held the honor of being one of my Nation's leaders I feel the nessecity to speak on the subject of my former comrade Reymundo's literary rendering. While his book is enterataining to the uninitiated ( much like the movie "Boyz in the Hood" or " New Jack City " ) It presents very little historical fact. A brief synopsis of what he left out can be found on this website
Rating:
Summary: opened my eyes and mind
Review: the book was great i coudnt put it down it showed me why people join gangs because they want to have the love they never got from their parents and it really showed me that gangs are bad news i too thought that all they did was party and so did he but thanks to this book i know the real deal and being puerto rican and from chicago having kids at school who are kings this book made me realize the real deal with them and what they go through. and i congratulate honor and am prode of ray for not avengeing angels death that showed he really wasnt a coward i hope he completes his g.e.d
Rating:
Summary: A Reality Check
Review: this book was a great book -- i have a friend who is involved in the same gang just in a different chapter in houston. when i read this book it brought tears to my eyes because everything that he talks about is so fimaliar. it's sad that we as a hispanic community do not better educate our children to know and wnat more out of life. Reymundo Sanchez wrote this book wonderfully i give much praise for finding the courage within himself to write all this down. i just hope that this book will help other people to realize what a mistake it is that we just turn our backs to this growing problem and to our communities. now i just hope and pray that i can help my friend to see the light and hopefully with this book it will be a little easier. one of best books i've ever read
Rating:
Summary: It was great!
Review: It is a great book. It tells the real life exprience of a young boy and his harsh life living in the Getto. It is like a movie that you have only seen apart of and can't wait to see the rest. It was very well writen and very exciting. It has its up and downs with feelings. Read it!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: If your in a fraternity, read this
Review: This is a book that is set some 20 years ago, but is still all too true and will continue to be while there are uneducated teens that look for a family outside their own. This is a great book about the situations that would lead someone to join a gang. The author is not the best writer in the world; I think he has this passion for periods (.) because his paragraphs will have about 30 sentences, but once you get past the choppy writing, you will see its hard not love this story. Being Latino and from an inner city as big if not bigger than Chicago, I can fully understand hi world and have seen too many friends go that route. He paints a vivid picture of his world, a world you cannot really understand unless you have lived it. From the poor family structure at home and the pressure of losing his virginity at a young age to the fear which drives most gang members, the need to fit in and be accepted. However, at times I do wonder about how true all his stories are, some seem to have a bit of Hollywood in them. I am a member of a fraternity, and you can see many similarities to fraternity life and this one, minus the killing of course. It opened my eyes and made me see things within my own fraternity a little differently, made me see why I have certain brothers who act the way they do. I highly recommend this book.
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