Fourteen year old April Lundquist lives in Dyker
Heights, Brooklyn, a colorful neighborhood populated
by the Mafia. When "Soft Sal" Luciano approaches
April and her best friend Brandi for a favor, the girls
can't exactly refuse. Soon, they're finding hundred
dollar bills in their schoolbooks and when April's
discovers that her brother is dating a crime boss's
daughter, she's in way over her head.
Heights, Brooklyn, a colorful neighborhood populated
by the Mafia. When "Soft Sal" Luciano approaches
April and her best friend Brandi for a favor, the girls
can't exactly refuse. Soon, they're finding hundred
dollar bills in their schoolbooks and when April's
discovers that her brother is dating a crime boss's
daughter, she's in way over her head.
When a story makes me laugh out loud, I love it.
And so, I love this novel...Lurie gets all the
conversations right...just as she writes so
accurately about the feelings between
siblings...April is finding her own voice and is one of
YA fiction's most memorable narrators. KLIATT
starred review
...Lurie has written a delightful book about growing
up in Brooklyn's Mafia-dominated 1970s ... A
classic growing-up-in-America story with a twist, this
is lighthearted yet complex, with just enough
gut-wrenching love and suspense to make it an
obvious hit with the girls and a potential sleeper
with the guys. Booklist
...Lurie's first person narrator makes this novel
come alive.
VOYA 4Q 4P
"... colorful characters make this a thoroughly
enjoyable read ... a fun, thoughful story." School
Library Journal
2008 New York Public Library Book for the
Teen Age
2007 KLIATT Editor's Choice
2008-2009 Texas Lone Star List
And so, I love this novel...Lurie gets all the
conversations right...just as she writes so
accurately about the feelings between
siblings...April is finding her own voice and is one of
YA fiction's most memorable narrators. KLIATT
starred review
...Lurie has written a delightful book about growing
up in Brooklyn's Mafia-dominated 1970s ... A
classic growing-up-in-America story with a twist, this
is lighthearted yet complex, with just enough
gut-wrenching love and suspense to make it an
obvious hit with the girls and a potential sleeper
with the guys. Booklist
...Lurie's first person narrator makes this novel
come alive.
VOYA 4Q 4P
"... colorful characters make this a thoroughly
enjoyable read ... a fun, thoughful story." School
Library Journal
2008 New York Public Library Book for the
Teen Age
2007 KLIATT Editor's Choice
2008-2009 Texas Lone Star List
| Reviews |
April Lurie |
For thirteen-year-old Judy Strand, summers in the
Norwegian community of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, are filled with
games of stickball, visits to Coney Island, and her family's
yearly trip to the Catskill Mountains. But in July, 1944,
Judy's innocence is shaken when she discovers that the
man she's always called Pa isn't her real father. Even more
shocking, Judy learns that the father she doesn't remember
was an alcoholic who abandoned his family. That's why
Judy's mother emigrated from Norway to America. Now,
Judy is jumbled inside. When Jacob Jacobsen tries to be
more than friends she wants nothing to do with him. But will
Jacob be the person to help Judy learn how to forgive?
Norwegian community of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, are filled with
games of stickball, visits to Coney Island, and her family's
yearly trip to the Catskill Mountains. But in July, 1944,
Judy's innocence is shaken when she discovers that the
man she's always called Pa isn't her real father. Even more
shocking, Judy learns that the father she doesn't remember
was an alcoholic who abandoned his family. That's why
Judy's mother emigrated from Norway to America. Now,
Judy is jumbled inside. When Jacob Jacobsen tries to be
more than friends she wants nothing to do with him. But will
Jacob be the person to help Judy learn how to forgive?
Brothers, Boyfriends & Other Criminal Minds
Dancing in the Streets of Brooklyn
(Delacorte/Random House, 2007)
(Delacorte/Random House, 2002)
| Reviews |
(Delacorte/Random House, 2008)
The Latent Powers of Dylan Fontaine
A mother who split for another man.
A father who works 24/7.
An older brother who excels at everything—and smokes a lot
of weed.
A best friend—of the feminine persuasion, who only wants to
be a friend, and who’s shooting a film set in cool Greenwich
Village, New York.
For fifteen year old Dylan Fontaine, life around him seems to
be spiralling out of control. But when he stars in his best
friend’s movie short, he’ll discover that sometimes life’s big
shake-ups force you to take risks--and to step out into the
limelight.
A father who works 24/7.
An older brother who excels at everything—and smokes a lot
of weed.
A best friend—of the feminine persuasion, who only wants to
be a friend, and who’s shooting a film set in cool Greenwich
Village, New York.
For fifteen year old Dylan Fontaine, life around him seems to
be spiralling out of control. But when he stars in his best
friend’s movie short, he’ll discover that sometimes life’s big
shake-ups force you to take risks--and to step out into the
limelight.
A fresh engaging novel ... Lurie beautifully captures an
adolescent's voice and concerns as well as a nostalgic
Brooklyn childhood filled with stickball, candy stores, and
trips to Coney Island. School Library Journal
[Dancing in the Streets of Brooklyn] makes for interesting
if not arresting reading. A competent debut that captures
the time and place. Kirkus
Judy's crisis, romantic and domestic, are thoroughly
believable ... middle-school readers may find themselves
wishing they lived on Judy's street. The Bulletin
The richly drawn setting is the Norwegian community in
Brooklyn, New York, in 1944. First-novelist Lurie does a
great job of showing how Judy's hurt and anger make her
act like a jerk. But at the same time, her first-person
narrative reveals how bad she feels about the terrible
things she says to those she loves. Booklist
Middle-schoolers will find themselves accurately and
sympathetically represented at Lurie's hand. Houston
Chronicle
adolescent's voice and concerns as well as a nostalgic
Brooklyn childhood filled with stickball, candy stores, and
trips to Coney Island. School Library Journal
[Dancing in the Streets of Brooklyn] makes for interesting
if not arresting reading. A competent debut that captures
the time and place. Kirkus
Judy's crisis, romantic and domestic, are thoroughly
believable ... middle-school readers may find themselves
wishing they lived on Judy's street. The Bulletin
The richly drawn setting is the Norwegian community in
Brooklyn, New York, in 1944. First-novelist Lurie does a
great job of showing how Judy's hurt and anger make her
act like a jerk. But at the same time, her first-person
narrative reveals how bad she feels about the terrible
things she says to those she loves. Booklist
Middle-schoolers will find themselves accurately and
sympathetically represented at Lurie's hand. Houston
Chronicle
"...Compulsively readable ... Lurie creates such a
sympathetic and engaging character that readers cannot
help but become invested. Dylan's story has it all: humor,
pathos, family struggles and great characterizations and
voice." VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
"[Lurie] writes with wit intelligence, and compassion for her
characters. Any reader will care for each one of them."
KLIATT starred review
"The strong first person narrative ... and the healthy doses
of humor balance this well-crafted story." Booklist
"Calling to mind HInton's classic, That was Then, This is
Now ... Readers may well be inspired by Dylan to take
some risks and discover their own latent powers." The
Bulletin
"The story successfully walks the fine line of blending
humor and drama, and the cinematic ending is sure to
please." School Library Journal
sympathetic and engaging character that readers cannot
help but become invested. Dylan's story has it all: humor,
pathos, family struggles and great characterizations and
voice." VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
"[Lurie] writes with wit intelligence, and compassion for her
characters. Any reader will care for each one of them."
KLIATT starred review
"The strong first person narrative ... and the healthy doses
of humor balance this well-crafted story." Booklist
"Calling to mind HInton's classic, That was Then, This is
Now ... Readers may well be inspired by Dylan to take
some risks and discover their own latent powers." The
Bulletin
"The story successfully walks the fine line of blending
humor and drama, and the cinematic ending is sure to
please." School Library Journal
| Reviews |
| Awards |
2009 Best
Books for
Young Adults
Nominee