The Penalty

This week I read The Penalty by Mal Peet. The prodigious young soccer star, El Brujito ( the Little Magician)  of San Juan has suddenly vanished. He was seen last after missing a penalty in a big game for his team , costing them the win. South American sports writer, Paul Faustino, happens to  be in San Juan at the time of this troubling occurance. Even though he was reluctant to get involved  in  this case, he was drawn into the mystery.
 Most of the characters in this book are realistic. The way the act and talk are very believeable and the conversations are easy to follow. Different parts of the story are told from different points of view. When Faustino is speaking it is easy to tell he is a strict business man. His actions and lanuage are exactly the same as anyone of today would be. However, Brijito is a strange character. He is unbeliveably religious. He holds countless venerations. He seems a little less realistic due to things he says, does, and sometimes sees. His pesonality is unlike that of a normal young person.
 This book was one of my favorite books I've read, but not my favorite because at times it was very confusing. My favorite book this year was The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I enjoyed this book because chapter after chapter it held my attention. The events were exciting, and it encompassed a great lesson of what friends truly are. The characters were what made this book. They all have unique personalities and outlooks, but that wouldnt stop them from anything. These are two of the thirty books I have read this year.
 If anyone has a recommendation for a fantasy or historical ficton book let me know! Thanks!