Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

It is the first week of the new school year and its chemistry class. Lab partners are set up by the teacher. Brittany Ellis, a girl from a wealthy family and good neigbourhood has to be partners with Alex Fuentes. A Latino guy from a poor family and gang member from the other side if Fairfield. Brittany's life seems perfect to the outside world. Only her best friend now she has a sister who is physically and mentally disabled, and Brittany's parents are thinking about it to send her away to a facility. Brittany's boyfriend is Colin, and to the outside world, they are the golden couple.
Alex life as a Latino Blood gang member is also difficult: his wish is to leave the gang and go to college. But the pressure from his family and friends is to big for him.when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.
Simone Elkeles has written a beautiful story about two people from different cultures, and about looking beneath the surface, and breaking through the banners and stereotypes.
I was hooked to this book when I started reading, and I think it is after How to ruin a summer vacation, the best book by Simone Elkeles! A perfect book for people who love stories like West Side Story and the Freedom Writers Diary (like me!)

Coming up later: An interview with Simone Elkeles about Perfect Chemistry!