Playing It Cool

by Joaquin Dorfman

Book Overview

"I always know what I'm doing." So says 18-year-old Sebastian Montero, who is famous around town as a problem solver of the subtlest kind. Want a date with the girl of your dreams? Bastian can make it... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375836411
• ISBN13: 9780375836411
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Length: 339 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.8" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 12 to 16 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 11

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Sebastian Montero has a reputation around town as a problem solver. Any problem you've got, Sebastian has a way to fix it. He doesn't do it just out of the goodness of his heart, though; it's all part of the complicated network of favors, debts, and problems that he's organized. He's calm and in control in the middle of his domain. He knows how it all works. Along comes another problem. This one directly involves Sebastian's friend, Jeremy. Jeremy has just found out that the man he thought was his father, well, isn't. Sebastian has found Jeremy's real father, and the two of them set off for the coast of North Carolina to meet Dromio. Seems straightforward enough, right? Well, then throw this into the mix: Bastian and Jeremy are switching identities, so that Jeremy won't get hurt if Dromio turns out to be a shady character or just a jerk. When Dromio accepts him right into the family, Bastian keeps pushing the charade further and futher--but to what end? PLAYING IT COOL is a very interesting novel. Most of the characters are realistic, and the plot is certainly well-thought out. The scenario itself is a little odd, but suspension of disbelief is common enough in fiction. The writing is pretty excellent, too, but it lacks a certain spark throughout a good chunk of the book. At the beginning, and then again at the end, it seems good, but lacks whatever it is that makes a book special. Still, though, this is a book worth reading! Reviewed by: Jocelyn Pearce

A dangerous series of events evolves from his idea in this fast-paced thriller.

Joaquin Dorfman's PLAYING IT COOL presents one Sebastian, a problem solver who gets in over his head when he's asked to track down a friend's birth mother - by switching identities. A dangerous series of events evolves from his idea in this fast-paced thriller.

A great first book

I reviewed this book as part of a program my library participates in and was very pleasantly surprised. This has to be one of the best YA books I have read in the past couple years. It has an undercurrent of edginess that made me want to put it down for a bit and let the tension go away, but at the same time keep reading to find out who Sebastian really was. The plot elements are carefully crafted and the characters become people you really like. The dialogue between them is fresh and realistic.I particularly liked the way the author handled those plot elements that had the potential to go over the top. He kept them full of energy and tension, but never crossed that line. I could see a bit of myself in Sebastian back when I was his age. This book was so good I really hope the author revisits the main characters in a sequel and I will be recommending it to a number of my avid YA readers.