Rachel Spinelli Punched Me in the Face

Gr 6—8—In this warm and funny novel, a move to Falls, CT, lets Zachary and his dad begin over after Zachary's mom leaves them to follow her own dreams. Zachary, at 14, has plenty to adjust to but finds himself in a warmly inviting community. Rachel, an expert on detention, and her older, special-needs brother, Teddy, become constants in Zachary's life and the three forge strong bonds. With a supportive dad and new friends, Falls begins to feel like home. From the elderly Polish-American couple who sent their beloved deceased dog to a taxidermist and keep him in their ice-cream shop so he can continue to welcome customers to the very pregnant band teacher who lets all her students feel the baby kick, the characters and the historic town with its leafy green streets form a safe and comforting ambience. Zachary himself is agreeably average and eminently likable. A change from problem novels filled with emotionally distant adults and troubled teens, this is a welcome respite. Quirky characters, small-town hominess, and frequent touches of humor create a Joan Bauer feel with cross-gender appeal.—Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library District, Elgin, IL