Following a family tragedy, 18-year-old Gabe LoScuda finds himself thrust into the role of caregiver for his ailing grandfather. Between the shopping trips and the doctor visits with Grandpa, Gabe and his friend John try to salvage their senior year, meet girls, and make the varsity baseball team. It doesn’t take long for Gabe to realize that going to school and looking after a grandfather with Alzheimer’s is more work than he ever imagined. And when long-lost Uncle Nick appears on the scene, Gabe soon finds that living with Nick and Grandpa is like babysitting two grown men. Aside from John, the only person who truly understands Gabe is Sofia, a punk-rocking rebel he meets at the veteran’s hospital. When these three unlikely friends are faced with a serious dilemma, will they do what it takes to save Grandpa? If there’s a chance of preserving the final shreds of Grandpa’s dignity, Gabe may have to make the most gut-wrenching decision of his life—and there’s no way out.
"Full of heart and humor...will make young readers take stock of their own parents' responsibilities, and what it means to make sacrifices for the ones you love." -Booklist"An emotional story, filled with lots of laughter and great sadness. Smartly written, with beautiful characters and a compelling plot, No Sad Songs deals honestly with the challenges of caring for someone with dementia." -Foreword Reviews
"This coming-of-age tale is a must for any YA collection." -School Library Journal, starred review
"No Sad Songs is lovely and funny and heart-aching and true. I didn't want it to end. But the big-hearted story and characters-- especially the very real, unforgettable Gabe-- will stay with me for a long, long time." -Jennifer Niven, NY Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up The Universe.
Hi All,
I'm pleased to be a new member of this community. So many great resources on this site, including all of you member writers with a whole lot of knowledge and experience under your belts. As for me, I'm a debut young adult novelist. My book, No Sad Songs, was just released by Fish Out of Water Books in late February and I've been blown away so far by the reviews and the feedback I've been receiving ever since. It's about a high school senior whose parents are ripped from him in a tragic accident and he's immediately thrust into the role of caregiver for his ailing grandfather, a WWII Vet in the latter stages of Alzheimer's. I know, it sounds kind of heart-wrenching, but it's also a story intended to remind people about the importance of friendship, laughter, and the ability to remember our loved ones in their best moments instead of their worst. I hope you'll pick up a copy and enjoy it. Maybe tell all your friends and whatnot. ; )
On a personal note, I'm a veteran middle school teacher from the Greensboro, NC area who loves dogs and cats simultaneously. When I'm not writing or teaching, I'm probably on the ice playing hockey or tossing around a baseball on some run-down ball field in the middle of the cornfields. I'd love to connect on social media if you're interested:
Twitter: @frankmoewriter
Facebook: www.facebook.com/frank.morelli.96343
Instagram: www.instagram.com/frankmorelliauthor/
Author Site: frankmorelliwrites.com
Cheers,
Frank
