The Dollar Kids

Jacobson (Paper Things) confronts loss and new beginnings in this potent and affirming novel. Lowen, a promising 11-year-old cartoonist, blames himself for the death of his friend Abe, who was killed in a convenience store shooting. When a former mill town offers dilapidated homes for one dollar, Lowen sees the change of address as a perfect escape from the city and his guilt, and his family pins their hopes on the move. In the new town, Lowen’s British mother attempts to launch a Cornish pasty shop, and the whole family pitches in to make required repairs on their home. The narrative effectively portrays the clash between the family’s big dreams and the grim reality of the house, as well as tensions and resentments between the “dollar families” and the town residents. Jacobson memorably sketches Lowen’s family dynamics, particularly his complicated relationship with his older brother, and his journey offers a compelling portrait of community and rebirth. Andrews’s comics panels, which appear at several key intervals in the text, offer further insight into Lowen’s struggles, particularly his grief over Abe’s death. Ages 10–14. [em](Aug.) Correction: A previous version of this review misstated the protagonist’s name. [/em]