Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1
The story takes place in Borges, New Mexico. The main character, Frankie or Francisco, tells the story in the first person. Rebecca Sanchez is 16 years old and she is in high school. Frankie is hanging out with his best friend Zach at his brother's soccer game, when he spots his favorite girl, Rebecca. According to Frankie, Rebecca Sanchez is biracial, funny, smart, hot, has creamy light brown skin, and has "a kickin' body" (2). Frankie is also biracial. His mother is Latina and his father is Anglo. The funny thing is that their parents' last name is Torres and Towers. The word torres means towers in Spanish. Frankie's family owns a New Mexican restaurant called Los Torres. Frank's brother, named Steve, plays soccer really well. The main conflict in this chapter is that Frankie wants to ask Rebecca out on a date, but he is too shy. When he finally gets to Rebecca, John Dalton, who appears to be the antagonist in the story, pushes Frankie away.There's more trouble to come in the next chapters. Frankie's brother has been seeing this chola (gang member) named Carmenita. If Steve's parents find out that they are dating, they'll go crazy.
Chapter 2
Frankie is pissed off. Zach and Frankie go to Zach's house to blow stuff up. Frankie used to be a soccer player, but when fire ants got on his legs, he realized soccer was not for him. Frankie is freaking out about whether or not Rebecca wants to go out with him to the prom. Frankie ask's Zach's mother why she doesn't mind having Zach blow stuff up, even though he has lost his eye playing war outside with his cousin. Zach is asking himself what Nicole Lawrence really wants; he likes Nicole and would like to ask her out. We also learn that Zach's father left him at an early age. So he has grown up with only his mother.
The story takes place in Borges, New Mexico. The main character, Frankie or Francisco, tells the story in the first person. Rebecca Sanchez is 16 years old and she is in high school. Frankie is hanging out with his best friend Zach at his brother's soccer game, when he spots his favorite girl, Rebecca. According to Frankie, Rebecca Sanchez is biracial, funny, smart, hot, has creamy light brown skin, and has "a kickin' body" (2). Frankie is also biracial. His mother is Latina and his father is Anglo. The funny thing is that their parents' last name is Torres and Towers. The word torres means towers in Spanish. Frankie's family owns a New Mexican restaurant called Los Torres. Frank's brother, named Steve, plays soccer really well. The main conflict in this chapter is that Frankie wants to ask Rebecca out on a date, but he is too shy. When he finally gets to Rebecca, John Dalton, who appears to be the antagonist in the story, pushes Frankie away.There's more trouble to come in the next chapters. Frankie's brother has been seeing this chola (gang member) named Carmenita. If Steve's parents find out that they are dating, they'll go crazy.
Chapter 2
Frankie is pissed off. Zach and Frankie go to Zach's house to blow stuff up. Frankie used to be a soccer player, but when fire ants got on his legs, he realized soccer was not for him. Frankie is freaking out about whether or not Rebecca wants to go out with him to the prom. Frankie ask's Zach's mother why she doesn't mind having Zach blow stuff up, even though he has lost his eye playing war outside with his cousin. Zach is asking himself what Nicole Lawrence really wants; he likes Nicole and would like to ask her out. We also learn that Zach's father left him at an early age. So he has grown up with only his mother.
" SO, THERE'S A GUY, right? And he's known this girl forever, ... and this dude, he wants to ask her out, but he can't bring himself to do it.... He gets this nasty pinch underneath his rib cage when she even turns around to look at him and blah, blah, blah. I know, you've heard it all before. I thought I had, too. Until that dude turned out to be me" (1).
chapter 3
Frankie lives in a town named Borges, which is a low-income area. The strange thing is that the town is surrounded by rich people. Frankie works at his family's restaurant serving tacos to tourists. The business is not doing so well. Frankie's brother, Steve, has a soccer scholarship; therefore, he doesn't work at the restaurant.
According to Frankie, Borges High School is terrible. It's overpopulated, there are portables everywhere, it "looks like a shantytown"(52). While giving Frankie a ride to school, Steve tells his brother that he should be like him, before it's too late. Steve thinks that Frankie needs to be more outgoing, more aggressive when it comes to girls. Frankie doesn't agree with him, however, it bothers him. During school lunch time, Frankie decides that he has to try and ask Rebecca out to the Homecoming dance. She says no because Dalton has already asked her to be his date at Homecoming. Frankie feels dead inside; not to mention, embarrassed. Dalton and Zach start arguing and they just go all the way out to offend each other.
Chapter 5
In the beginning of chapter 5, we see Zach, Steve, and Frankie go to a school party. While they chat with Cheo, Steve shows his tattoo. Also, Steve's soccer nickname is Matador. They go to the house and Frankie sees Rebecca. While both Frankie and Rebecca talk to each other, Frankie embarrasses himself by mentioning to Rebecca about him being naked at the pool years ago. Zach calls to Frankie saying that Steve and Dalton are fighting.
Chapter 6
In chapter 6, when Frankie and Dalton start arguing to each other, Frankie stands up to Dalton. Later, Zach and Frankie are in class. While the teacher is going over Julius Caesar's history, Zach says that Brutus kills Caesar because he was ambitious. Frankie thinks that Zach's statement is wrong. Frankie goes and expresses his thoughts about ambition. He doesn't see a problem with ambition. Frankie believes that the teacher likes him.
Chapter 7
Dalton beats up Frankie, punching him in the nose. Rebecca helps Frankie and he asks her out to go to the movies some time. She says yes, but only as friends. Frankie comes home with his face full of blood and his mother and brother freak out. Steve wants to get revenge.
Chapter 8
Steve is still out for revenge. Frankie rested for a day so he can get back on his feet. Frankie's brother brings him some food. Rebecca approaches Frankie at school to ask how he was doing. Frankie and Rebecca still have plans to go on a date.
Chapter 9
Frankie and Cheo are working on Frankie's bike. Then, later on, Frankie and his friends are hanging out. Zach pulls out his own eye and Flaco plays with it. Steve is upset because he still wants revenge.
Chapter 9
Frankie and Cheo are working on Frankie's bike. Then, later on, Frankie and his friends are hanging out. Zach pulls out his own eye and Flaco plays with it. Steve is upset because he still wants revenge.
chapter 10
Frankie is at Rebecca's house to pick her up to go on a date. Then, her dad shows up and Frankie knows that her father is the chief of the Borges police. Frankie describes Rebecca's house as being better than Frankie's house. Her dad scares Frankie because Mr. Sanchez doesn't want his daughter to go out with gang members. Frankie and Rebecca go on a date and he feels good about it.
Chapter 11
Frankie and Rebecca go to mini golf because they can't agree on what they want to watch. The parking lot is huge, where gang members (cholos) hang out. Dalton shows up and interrupts Frankie's date until Flaco shows up to protect Frankie. Flaco and his gang scare Dalton, Rebecca is no longer going to the homecoming with Dalton, and Frankie is enjoying it.
Begay gives Frankie an envelope and tells him to put it in his pocket. Frankie dumps the gun powder in the toilet. Later on at school, Frankie is decorating for the homecoming. Then, Steve is flirting with Carmenita and is hanging out with gang members without his parents knowing about it.
Chapter 13
Frankie's parents ask him what Steve has been up to. Carmenita and Steve walk into the restaurant and Frankie's parents are not liking it.
Chapter 14
Frankie, Steve, Zach, and Begay are out chatting about who is going out to homecoming with who. Then, Rebecca and Nicole show up. When everyone left, Frankie and Rebecca are by themselves.The Dalton's bought the restaurant and the family recipe from the Sanchez family. Frankie gets home late because he was with Rebecca. Frankie has a lot of homework and then his dad knocks on his door.
Frankie and Rebecca are at Frankie's family restaurant. Frankie teaches Rebecca how to cook sopaipillas. Then, Dalton's family shows up. Frankie is upset because his family is selling the restaurant to the Daltons so that Frankie's parents can have money to send Frankie to college. He feels guilty because he could have a scholarship.
Chapter 16
Frankie and Steve break into the tortilla factory that belongs to Dalton's dad. Frankie does not want to be there. He doesn't understand Steve at all. Frankie and Steve are in a garbage dumpster. They didn't get caught by the police, they spent a night at the dumpster, and Frankie thinks he has disappointed Steve because Frankie is not a tough bad ass as Steve wanted him to be.
Chapter 17
Frankie is at school, freaking out about getting caught by the police. Rebecca's dad plays a trick on Frankie, making him think that he can't go to homecoming with Rebecca.
Chapter 18
Steve was not allowed in the game because he punched the goalie in the face. Frankie is getting prepared for homecoming.
Chapter 19
Frankie and Rebecca are at homecoming. Rick has rum in a shampoo bottle and he has been drinking it. When Frankie and Rebecca were done eating, a stranger pays the bill for Frankie. That really surprised Frankie.
Chapter 20
Frankie and Rebecca are dancing, Rick gives Frankie Rick's car keys. Frankie and Rebecca make out in Rick's car until they get disturbed.
Chapter 21
Dalton is drunk, Steve starts to beat up Dalton very badly. Frankie tells Steve to stop, and then, Flaco goes against Steve. After Frankie is all beat up, the police arrive.
Chapter 22
Frankie goes to the hospital to visit Steve. Frankie is sad to see Steve all messed up. Frankie digs up Frankie's time capsule, and then feels guilty about his mistakes.
Chapter 23
Frankie goes to Zach's house because Zach is his best friend. Frankie watches Zach experiment with explosives.
Voorhees, Coert. The Brothers Torres. Hyperion: New York, 2008.