"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