David Alexander Green is that rare type — a fictional character you come to know and care about instantly. He’s the white boy, well, one of two, on his first day of middle school. Within just a few pages, the author paints a vivid, original and real portrait. I was instantly invested in watching this young teen navigate the challenging path ahead. As with all coming-of-age novels, the path is the journey. Dave navigates through the subtle complexities of loyalty and friendship as well as societal expectations and the nature of belonging. The premise is real and the cast of characters is unforgettable. Sam Graham-Felsen’s debut novel does a brilliant job recreating the realistic voice of the titular Dave Green, and surrounding him with believable friends, inserting him in memorable experiences, and letting the readers glimpse a world they may not otherwise be privy to. Set in Boston, Mass. in 1992, this is a genuinely enjoyable read that none-the-less opens one’s eyes to the inner lives of kids in our (almost) present day culture.
— Reviewed by Jenny Lyons of The Vermont Book Shop in Middlebury