Trash Can Days: A Middle School Saga

Gr 7–9—At the beginning of seventh grade, best friends Jake and Danny are growing apart. At first the changes are common enough: Danny hits puberty before Jake and starts to look older, and entering junior high school means making new friends. But the rift becomes deeper as Danny begins to associate with members of a local gang and distances himself from Jake, who, as he puts it, is "about as far away from gangster as you can get, since he's white and nerdy and emotional and stuff." As Danny gets sucked into gang culture, he also begins a secret relationship with Jake's popular sister, Hannah, and eventually the two worlds cannot help but touch, with dramatic consequences. Chapters narrated by different characters, as well as interspersed status updates and online chats, may appeal to reluctant readers. At times funny and superficial, at times serious, the story is about friendship, family, and how the choices kids make can affect who they become. The pacing is steady, the tone is mostly light despite some serious content, and there is occasional vulgar language.—Emma Burkhart, Springside School, Philadelphia, PA