Steven B. Frank

1970's California. Armstrong's parents decide he should be bused to a "white" school where he can get a better education, and perhaps put some distance between him and his many sisters. Charlie's friends are going to different schools, and he is kind of adrift. The two basically spend much of the book competing against each other in many normal adolescent ways, which after a certain point, became irksome. Happily, they are supported by a strong group of well developed characters, particularly family. I liked the way the book developed and Frank's portrayal of the teens, which probably comes from teaching kids this age. The book is clearly autobiographical as Frank found himself in this situation when he was in middle school.… (more)