35 pages 1 hour read

Gary Soto

Taking Sides

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1991

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

10-14years

Book Details

Genre
Realistic Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Children's Literature
Topics
Sports
Education
Themes
Identity: Race
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Relationships: Friendship