Published in 2009, this award-winning book tells the story of a summer in the life of 17-year-old Marcelo Sandoval, a boy with Asperger-like characteristics.

Marcelo Sandoval, is a seventeen-year-old who hears music in his head as a result of mild autism, described as a "cognitive disorder" by his father.

The book deals with Marcelo's friendship with Wendell, who pushes him to do things he doesn't like, and Jasmine, who introduces him to her family in Vermont.

Jasmine kisses him on the cheeks and, after the internal music had ceased ever since he started working at the law firm, it returns in "the most beautiful of melodies".

In some ways, Marcelo’s journey parallels the life of Siddhartha Gautama", said Sari Grandstaff, a member of the Saugerties Teachers Association.

[3] According to Ilene Cooper, "Marcelo must decide whether to follow his conscience and try to right the wrong even as he realizes that decision will bring irrevocable changes to his life and to his relationship with his father.

[7] The idea of the "real world" that Arturo is so determined to have Marcelo join is a subjective viewpoint that can only be referred to from an individual's personal opinion.

"Stork introduces ethical dilemmas", says Publishers Weekly, "the possibility of love, and other "real world" conflicts, all the while preserving integrity of his characterizations and intensifying the novel’s psychological and emotional stakes.

[7] James Blasingame praised, "A good read for people of all ages, but recommended for high school students due to some adult content .