(2) YA Navigating the chaos and social groups of adolescent life can be difficult; in this novel, three friends help one another despite feeling "broken" themselves. Four-teen-year-old Oscar, football star at West Beacon Junior/Senior High School (go Mighty Mules!), has recently lost his younger sister to cancer. Riley, who contends with issues of anxiety and anger, has moved with her single mother back to Mom's hometown. Noah--spelling bee champ, artist extraordinaire, mathlete--is dealing with his parents' separation. Both Noah and Riley are new to West Beacon; Oscar, returning to school two weeks after his sister's funeral, doesn't want to hang with the cool kids anymore (he feels more like he's the only member of the "your-little-sister-just-died-and-now-you-sort-of-hate-everybody club"). In Mr. Martin's ceramics class, the three find themselves forming the group they all need. Clay becomes the central metaphor of the story--that which can be created; broken objects that can be fixed; and the things that can't, such as sisters dying, robberies, and families changing. With brokenness as a theme, crushing sadness could have sunk the narrative, but ­Acampora (Confusion Is Nothing New, rev. 7/18) leavens the story with Noah's humor, Riley's tell-it-like-it-is feistiness, and Oscar's openness to receiving help.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) 4-6 Ellie is upset that her absentee mother has died--and surprised to discover that Mom was in a band. With the help of witty best friend Daniel, principal Sister Stephanie, and Sister Stephanie's rock musician brother Mr. Leary, Ellie comes to terms with her mother's lack of interest in mothering. The characters' relationships (including Ellie's prickly-but-affectionate bond with her dad) are a particular strength of this multilayered, thought-provoking read.

Reviewer: Sarah Rettger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(3) 4-6 One year after his grandfather's death, Leo and his teenage cousin Abby follow feisty widow Gram on a road trip from Pennsylvania to a Utah dinosaur quarry--much to Leo's nagging mother's dismay. Acampora offers insight into three generations' grief, using humor at every opportunity, from revelations of family secrets to a madcap face-off with a bear.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(2) YA In honor of her favorite (deceased) teacher, Lucy starts a guerilla campaign "to turn To Kill a Mockingbird into forbidden fruit." She creatively re-shelves copies in bookstores and libraries, making them nearly impossible to find and thus desirable; social media helps the campaign to take on a life of its own. Fans of the Harper Lee classic--and book nerds everywhere--should flock to this tribute.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2014

(3) 4-6 After his mother leaves, Zachary and his dad move to Connecticut. Zachary meets new neighbor Rachel Spinelli--"part tiny Wonder Woman and part big guard dog"--and her big brother, Teddy. Teddy's disability isn't specified, but his musical ability combines well with Zachary's interest in trumpet, so the three of them hang out. Zachary's relationships are well drawn, with sharp dialogue and funny touches.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke