book review: Putting MakeUp on the Fat Boy

author: Bil Wright

date: Simon and Schuster, July 2011

main character: Carlos Duarte

Carlos Duarte is a high school student with a dream of becoming a famous make-up artist. When his friend, Angie suggests that he apply for an opening in the cosmetic department at Macy’s, he sees his dream one step closer to a reality. In the midst of trying to get and keep his job, Carlos is trying to figure out what it means to be a man. He struggles with maintaining integrity in his relationships, with knowing how to protect his mother and his sister and knowing when it’s safe to let himself feel attracted to another. It’s tough for him to find these answers when there are neither straight nor gay male role models in his world.

Carlos faces some hurtful situations but the confidence, the strength that Wright gives Carlos is enough to let us know that Carlos is going to be OK.