Husky

According to Davis’s “mean” friend Ellen, all middle-school students receive a single adjective that will follow them through high school. Davis—who lives in a Brooklyn brownstone with his hardworking mother, loud Irish grandmother, and the constant blare of the TV that belonged to his late grandfather—spends all summer fearing his adjective will be “husky.” First-time novelist Sayre, a screenwriter and performer, grants readers an intimate window into Davis’s candid thoughts. When listening to his beloved operas: “It’s just me and the music, and we’re alone. And safe.” Threatened when “pretty” best friend Sophie becomes friends with “cool” Allegra, Davis makes harsh self-assessments: “Gross and smelly and fat and dirty and all by myself.” The discovery that he has not been invited to Sophie’s girls-only makeover party devastates Davis: “I need to be made over, because this, whatever this thing is that’s me, isn’t working.” Upsetting revelations (like his mother’s love life) and surprising acts of kindness awaken Davis to the abundant unconditional love in his life, preparing him to accept a completely unexpected adjective. It’s a moving journey of self-discovery and a gratifying coming-of-age story. Ages 10–up. (Sept.)