Language: G; Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
10yo Bug is thoroughly disappointed this summer. Her brother Danny "wants some space" which means that even though they live in Venice, California, he won't be taking her to the beach like he has done for so many years, and Bug isn't allowed to go alone. Their upstairs neighbor, Phillip invites his nephew to come spend the summer with him, but when Frankie arrives, he and Bug do not hit it off. In fact, Bug is even more disappointed. Frankie didn't even bring a bathing suit! All Frankie wants to do is try to solve the mystery of the Midnight Marauder - a serial killer active that summer of 1987. He doesn't like the beach, not at all. It seems everyone needs some space this summer.
Historical fiction, I remember that summer in California, and Forman got it perfect - the beach bums, the guys on Muscle Beach, the old hippies in their vans, the roller skaters with the crazy wigs, the fish and chips. ah!, I was right there with them. The last third of the book addresses an attack on Uncle Phillip because he is gay, AIDS and Frankie reveals to Bug he is transgender - this may be his last summer as a boy, his parents want him to "stop this foolishness" and act like a girl. A thought provoking look at this time and these issues, I think readers may enjoy this look into the late 80's, but I suspect I'm feeling nostalgia and they will see Historical Fiction. I listened to the audiobook provided by Libro.fm and was thoroughly delighted. Stockard Channing is a great narrator.
Lisa Librarian
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