Buried Onions by Gary Soto
Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 1997
ISBN: 0-06-440771-3

Plot Summary:
Eddie is a 19 year-old community college drop-out living in Fresno, California. He is Mexican-American, and unlike most of the young men in his neighborhood, he has managed to survive without being in a gang or getting into any serious trouble. He is tough though, and knows how to fight when he needs to. For a job, he paints addresses on curbs in good neighborhoods. One day he gets a job doing yard work for Mr. Stiles. Later in the week, Mr. Stiles lets Eddie take a load of trash to the dump using his truck. At the dump, Eddie sees a refrigerator he wants to take for a yard sale, and swings by his house. He's inside for a few minutes, and in that time the truck is stolen.

After this, it is just one thing after another that really tests Eddie's belief in himself. He thinks all the cholos in the neighborhood are after him since he witnessed the stabbing of his good friend Jesus. He lives in constant fear of his supposed friend, Angel, who he comes to believe murdered Jesus. His friend Jose takes leave from the marines and is stabbed trying to get Mr. Stiles' truck back. Finally, after a big fight with Angel, Eddie decides he has to get out of Fresno. He's not sure how he feels about the military, but sees it as his only way out, so he signs up with the Navy.

Critical Evaluation:
This was a very touching story. It's obvious Soto is a poet, and his prose is quite beautiful as well. Even a story about inner city gangs and wannabes becomes a work of art. The cycle of violence and despair Soto describes comes to life. Eddie is such a believable character. He wants to do good, and he doesn't even care when people think he's a goody-goody, but luck is never on his side. His idea that people have onions buried in their yard that makes them cry for all the sorrows of the earth is so beautiful. The reader is rooting for Eddie the whole way, and we want to read more about what happens to him.

Reader’s Annotation:
Eddie lived to the age on 19--not an easy thing in Fresno, but how much longer will he survive?

Information about the Author:
Gary Soto was born and raised in Fresno and was also in the Navy. He is a poet and the author of the books Junior College, Living up the Street, and A Summer Life.

Genre: realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: 9th grade English

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Eddie, who has just dropped out of community college, but is still looking for a way out of Fresno. I would explain how he's trying to stay out of trouble, but it seems to find him. I would talk about the cultural aspects of the book as well--how it describes life for Chicanos in the inner city.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book would be appropriate for ages 14 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book could be challenged for its depiction of violence, gang activity, and drug use. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because it was on the suggested YA reading list for this class, and I've read and enjoyed some of Gary Soto's poetry.