The friendship between 2 young boys in New Jersey in the 1960s is the basis for this beguiling and tender debut novel. J J and Tony, or El Greco as he is usually called, are firm friends and have all the adventures together you might expect. The first half of the book is well-observed and demonstrates much understanding of how a young boy’s mind works. My problem with the book was the 2nd half when J J’s father takes the boys on a road trip to the southern states of the US, where they see a very different world to the one at home and I felt that their voices became too knowing and adult. I doubt very much if such young boys would be aware of the social and political situation, or even be interested in it.
So I didn’t find this otherwise very enjoyable and readable novel totally convincing but nevertheless it’s a pleasant enough tale, and an interesting portrait of 1960s America.

great coming of age story, love these kinds of stories, and the time and setting are awesome