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About
Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won’t change things at home—not without each other’s help.
This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac’s parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father’s approval by earning a spot on the school’s basketball team.
But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short?
"At every turn, Isaac and Marco support each other in this affirming story of basketball, middle school, friendship, and family, and choosing kindness and determination over easy cowardice or cruelty. Highly recommended for school and public libraries."
— School Library Journal
"Cisneros always writes characters full of foibles and humor and human warmth, and he really knows his basketball."
— Carlos Hernandez, Pura Belpré-winning author of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
"With characters so true to life that they practically jump off the page, Falling Short is the perfect balance of humor and heart. If books were basketball, author Ernesto Cisneros just made a slam dunk."
— Sarah Scheerger, author of Operation Frog Effect
"A beautiful Latinx novel about friendship, determination, and the gift of self-acceptance. Cisneros knocks down a game winner with Falling Short."
— Matt De La Peña
