Crossing California, by Adam Langer

California Avenue, that is. This book takes place in the West Rodgers Park neighborhood of Chicago in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The precise timeframe of the book is the 444 days of the Iran hostage crisis, but the book is not about the crisis. The book follows around several characters, mostly children, in their lives. It is a socio-economic character study, with California Avenue representing the dividing line between the classes. And is masterfully done.

I loved Langer's no-nonsense presentation of his characters. There was a total sense of detachment between the narrator and the characters. It was almost like I had to love them to compensate for the narrator's apathy toward them. There was real love in this book. Not fireworks-inducing, passionate, romantic love. But love that's about grinding along, living in harmony, and not being able to live without each other. I so identified with Jill Wasserstrom (I was always that kid that wanted to take the controversial side of the debate), but I envied her for her focus and ability to completely be her own person without caring what others thought. Everybody was really funny. I had a couple laugh-out-loud moments. The Rovners marriage was hysterical, as was their son, Larry's, quest for love. Everything about Michelle Wasserstrom, particularly the "Sterndick" plot, was hilarious. But most of all, I loved Muley Wills. He could never be a real person; he was just too consistent and principled, especially for a 13-year-old. But he's the person everyone should aspire to be.

A solid A, and a definite recommend.