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Book
A Poignant Amusing story
There is a little something for everyone in "The Kids on the Block." An enjoyable and funny new novel by author Mario Chavez. Tracing the lives of the "Kids" Chavez recaptures youth in a way few can as seen through the eyes of memorable characters he created. No matter which character you identify with most, don't be surprised if you find yourself lost in your own childhood memories. It's difficult not to laugh and cry as well, while reading about life on the block, as author Mario Chavez illuminates how those early relationships and experiences bind us regardless of the years that pass by all too quickly, and the various paths we inevitably take in life. Return to the past and enjoy what it meant to be a "Kid" in this poignant novel by author Mario Chavez. You'll be glad you did.
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----Ray
Le Cara, author of the "Forgotten Prophecy"
"The Kids on the Block" is a humorous gaze into the 'Rites-of-Passage as the main character, Soapsuds, and his unique friends make their way from adolescents to adults. Though the banter is mostly light-hearted, and funny, author Mario Chavez is not afraid to delve on serious issues such as, death, abuse, hunger, suicide and other life struggles.
I found "The Kids on the Block" to be a delightful, charming and entertaining read!
--Chrissy
K. McVay, author of "Souls of the North Wind."
Author Mario Chavez is a new and talented writer. He has made his debut into the literary world with one of the most excellent, stimulating, and exciting novel I have read in a long, long time!
This great piece of literature is "The Kids on the Block." The delightful story covers a multitude of happenings in these 'on the block' (a section of a neighborhood called "the block") Kids' lives from early childhood to adulthood. As you might guess from the title and the author's name, the novel deals with the Hispanic culture and reveals much that all of us should know about, laugh about, and even shed a few tears about as well.
We are privy to customs, traditions, and much, much laughter enjoyed by this interesting culture. However, the escapades, adventures, the happiness, and sadness; the tragedies and hardships occurring in the lives of these young kids are the same as those happening in many other ethnic groups throughout the world.
"The Kids on the Block" story is told and illustrated poignantly by the author. While reading the story, you will find yourself wishing you could have grown up and participated in that atmosphere, side by side, with the kids on the block.
"The Kids on the Block" is a good read, well worth your time, I recommend it with a score of 10 plus, that being the highest on my rating scale!
---Ruth
N. Terrazas (Texas) School Teacher
CHOREOGRAPHER: Sandra Kent, October 1999 COUNT: 32 TYPE: 4 Wall Line Dance LEVEL: Intermediate MUSIC: Mambo No.5 (A Little Bit Of...) by Lou Bega (CD Single #74321 65801 2) Dance commences on the word 'one'...two,
three, four, five.(1-32 Count Bridge & 1-4
Count Bridge) 1 Cross right over left 2 Step left back 3 Step right to side & Slide left together 4 Step right to side 5 Cross left over right 6 Step right back 7 Step left to side & Slide right together 8 Turn 1/4 left and step forward on left 9 Rock forward right 10 Rock back left 11 Turn 1/2 right and step forward right & Turn 1/2 right and step back left 12 Turn 1/2 right and step forward right (completing 1 1/2 turns to the right) 13 Step left forward 14 Pivot 1/2 right 15 Step left forward & Lock right behind 16 Step forward left 17 Rock right to side & Return weight left 18 Cross right over left 19 Rock left to side & Return weight right 20 Cross left over right 21 Step right to side & Slide left together 22 Turn 1/4 right and step forward right 23 Rock forward left & Rock back right 24 Turn 1/2 left and step forward left 25 Rock right to side & Return weight left 26 Cross right over left 27 Rock left to side & Return weight right 28 Cross left over right 29 Step right to side & Slide left together 30 Turn 1/4 right and step forward right 31 Rock forward left & Rock back right 32 Turn 1/2 left and step forward left FIRST BRIDGE Begin dance on 4th wall complete first 16 counts. Bridge begins on words 'Jump up & down' you will be facing the
5th wall and finish bridge facing 6th wall.
Start dance from beginning.
&1 Jump right to side, jump left to side &2 Jump right in, jump left across right 3-4 Unwind full turn right (both counts) 5&6 Place left foot to left as you bump hips left, right, left 7&8 Bump hips right, left, right 9 Rock left across right & Return weight right 10 Step left to side 11 Rock right across left & Return weight left 12 Step right to side 13 Step forward left & Slide right together 14 Step forward left 15 Step right to side & Slide left together 16 Step forward right 17 Turn 1/4 left and step forward left 18 Hitch right and clap 19 Step right together & Step left slightly back 20 Return weight right and clap 21 Rock forward left & Return weight right 22 Turn 1/2 left and step forward left 23 Step forward right 24 Pivot 1/2 left SECOND BRIDGE ON THE EIGHTH WALL WE MUST CUT OUT FOUR BEATS OF MUSIC. COMPLETE THE FIRST EIGHT COUNTS OF DANCE THEN ADD IN THE BRIDGE 1 Step forward right 2 Pivot 1/2 left 3 Step forward right 4 Pivot 1/2 left CONTINUE DANCE AFTER THE FIRST SIXTEEN COUNTS, WHICH WILL BE ROCK RIGHT, RETURN WEIGHT LEFT, CROSS RIGHT OVER LEFT. Sandra gives permission for this dance sheet to be freely copied and
distributed, unaltered and with choreographer's name & address intact.
