by Avi
First published 2016
Luke stares at his father's ghost, searching for clues about what the spirit needs from him. The apparition appears but offers no clear message, leaving Luke frustrated and confused. He joins six other boys navigating complicated relationships with the men in their families. Paul camps with a grandfather he barely knows, trying to understand the older man's unpredictable actions. Ryan prepares questions for his mother's boyfriend, determining if this man deserves the role of stepfather. Some boys live with fathers who stay home every night. Others cope with fathers who walked away. Some spend their days with grandfathers instead of parents. A few wish they could avoid the men in their lives entirely. Each boy wants something different. Some seek approval. Others need direction. Many just want someone worth respecting. Their stories reveal the many ways fathers and sons struggle to connect across the gap between generations.
Genres: literary-fiction, coming-of-age, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, grief
224 pages · Hardcover · Candlewick Press