Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork.

Marcelo has always heard internal music that is hard for him to pull away from.  Because of this autism-like disorder, Marcelo has attended a special school, Paterson, where he is now going to help with care and training of the ponies.  Marcelo’s father has never approved of him going to a special school and challenges his son to enter the real world by working in the mail room at his law firm.  If Marcelo refuses or fails, he will be placed in public high school instead of Paterson for his senior year.  Marcelo excels in the real world until sudden knowledge about his father’s job forces him to make an impossible decision.

This book is written from Marcelo’s point of view, allowing the prose itself to become as poetic, strange and amazing as Marcelo’s inner dialogue.  It is a book where you feel the world around you shift as you see it through Marcelo’s eyes. 

There is an enticing thread of religion and music that weaves throughout not only the book but through Marcelo himself.  It is a point of entry for the reader into understanding him.  Lovely, poignant and vivid, this book will capture you, change you, and then release you with tears streaming down your face at the beauty you have found.

Highly recommended for teen readers who are looking for a novel with depth that surprises and delights.  Appropriate for ages 16-18.