D. M. Cataneo

In Nicky's world there is a very clear line between us and them. And he is determined to protect his own against all comers. You can empathize with Nicky's desire to hang onto the things that he loves: his brother Roy, stickball, and what he thinks of as the good old days when everyone was happy. And you can understand his tendency to rant and rave against the people he thinks are taking those things from him, even though you don't agree with him. And it becomes impossible not to like Nicky. And I found myself rooting for him as he tried everything he could to get a game of stickball going. Cataneo does a good job of making all the characters real people and making you feel the tension and the turmoil of the time without demonizing one side or the other. I truly enjoyed following Nicky as he tried to find his way in a world that is rapidly changing around him and as he is forced to see things from new perspectives. learning along the way that the line between us and them is often not as clear as he thought.… (mehr)

Another of my Early Review books that I never received.
Nicky Martini is thirteen years old in 1970. He lives in the Bronx with his parents and his older brother, Roy. He lives in a time of change - the neighborhood is changing, the world is changing.
Many of his friends' families have moved out of the apartment complex known as Eggplant Alley. Whether the reasons are economic, racial, or personal, Nicky has watched his friends leave one by one.

Roy is dating a hippie named Margalo. Everything about Roy is changing and the whole family thinks it's the girl's fault. When Roy gets drafted for Vietnam, he and his father have a huge row about his/Margalo's idea of fleeing to Canada. Mr. Martini is a WWII vet and refuses to believe that Americans should stay out of Vietnam.

When Roy leaves, Nicky feels more alone than ever. He is able to conjure up memories of afternoons playing stickball with all the old gang. Nicky mostly watched; Roy was a great stickball player. Nicky imagines the new people in apartment 2C are communists or monsters. Turns out, a boy named Lester lives there with his mother while his father is in Vietnam.
The two boys hang around and Nicky tried to teach Lester the ways of the neighborhood - the way Roy taught Nicky.

Overall, this coming of age novel moves along well. Simple writing illustrates artful situations. The end is left open. Whether leaving room for a sequel or reflecting many actual experiences, it felt right to have such an ending. No old-fashioned tying-up-loose-ends.
Well done for a first novel.… (mehr)

Adult Reader Reaction: Nicky's is a coming of age story that will appeal to older readers or kids living in an urban environment. There were times when I found it really good - like Nicky's discussions with Lester about race and change. Then there were times I thought it went off track.

Pros: Nicky and Lester are real characters whose friendship is genuine. Readers will connect with them, the dilemmas they face, and their attitudes toward change and growing up.

To read our full review, go to The Reading Tub®.… (mehr)