Son of the Mob [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

The Sopranos (minus the vulgarity and violence) meets Leave It to Beaver (minus the "aw-shucks" tone and dated sensibility) in Korman's (No More Dead Dogs) brassy, comical caper. With its razor-sharp dialogue and bullet-fast pace, this tale could fly on either the small or big screen, yet it makes a page-turner of a novel. Korman shapes a believable and likable crew-despite the less than reputable profession of some. Many of the novel's conflicts revolve around the fact that the affable narrator, 17-year-old Vince Luca, refuses to become involved in the family "vending machine business." But of course, since his father is the Mob boss, and his older brother serves as their father's loser lackey, Vince cannot avoid being tainted (e.g., he lands in jail "because my sixteenth-birthday present [a Porsche] turns out to be hot"). Mom turns a deaf ear to the shady goings-on, cooking up a steady storm in the kitchen and willing "to serve a sit-down dinner for fifteen guys at four in the morning with ten minutes advance notice." Things heat up when Vince begins dating-and eventually falls in love with-the daughter of the FBI agent determined to bring down Vince's father. The boy also gets sucked into the maelstrom when he loans money to one of his father's underlings for whom he feels sorry. Funny and unexpectedly affecting, this will grab-and hold onto-even the most reluctant of readers. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Grade 7-9-Actor Max Casella effectively becomes Vince Luca, son of the leading New York mob boss, reading Gordon Korman's novel (Hyperion, 2002) which presents difficult situations and choices in a very humorous way. Despite his resolve to be a "normal" teenager and to stay out of his father's criminal activities, Vince finds himself seemingly drawn as a loan shark on a deal and must find a way to get out. Complicating the situation is the fact that he has started dating the daughter of the FBI agent investigating his father's activities. Casella's nasal, slight New York accent is perfect for this selection and draws listeners into the story told in first person. Reading at a fast clip, there is never a dull moment. Casella uses pauses and emphasis to accentuate the teenage slang. Although Vince's emotions are presented in a somewhat exaggerated manner, younger teens will enjoy the excitement and humor of the story. Casella does whatever is necessary-shouting, breaking into song, etc.-to make the narration very realistic. A great choice to motivate adolescent boys.
Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Gr. 6-8. The Sopranos meets Romeo and Juliet in this briskly comic romance, costarring a crime kingpin's son and an FBI agent's daughter. Tony and Kendra are mad for each other, but that doesn't mean that Tony is ready to tell Kendra who his father is--especially after his horrifying discovery that her father is on the listening end of the bugs and wiretaps scattered through his house. Realizing that it wouldn't be wise for either dad to find out what's what, Tony has to do some fancy footwork to keep the fathers, and Kendra's suspicions, at bay--a task considerably complicated by his unwilling involvement with a pair of petty hoodlums. Stubbornly battling to preserve his illusion that the family "business" has nothing to do with him, Tony presents a winning mix of good instincts and innocence that will have readers cheering him on as he weathers a succession of amatory and ethical crises, to emerge at the end of this expertly plotted escapade with relationships, self-respect, and even conscience more or less intact. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

“With its razor sharp dialogue and bullet-fast pace, this tale could fly on either the small or big screen, yet it makes a page-turner of a novel. Funny and unexpectedly affecting, this will grab – and hold onto – even the most reluctant of readers.” (Publishers Weekly) “Gordon Korman's new YA novel, Son of the Mob, is a comically winning combination of The Sopranos and Romeo and Juliet.” (Quill & Quire) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

A reluctant Mafia prince . . .
Vince Luca is just like any other high school guy. His best friend, Alex, is trying to score vicariously through him; his brother is a giant pain; and his father keeps bugging him to get motivated. There is just one thing that really sets him apart for other kids - his father happens to be the head of a powerful crime organization.

Needless to say, while Vince's family's connections can be handy for certain things (like when teachers are afraid to give him a bad grade), they can put a serious crimp in his dating life. Who wants to explain to your girlfriend what your father does for a living? But when Vince meets a girl who finally seems to be worth the trouble, her family turns out to be the biggest problem of all. Because her father is an FBI agent - the one who has been watching Vince's family for years, and who wants to put his father away for good.

Gordon Korman is one of the most beloved contemporary authors of today with more than 40 middle-grade novels to his credit. He published his first book at the wee age of fourteen, which turned into the Bruno and Boots series- still in print! Also a tireless self-promoter, Gordon travels across the country and even travels abroad to promote his books. Originally from Toronto, Gordon and his wife, a teacher, now live on Long Island with their little boy.

When Vince Luka tells folks his father is in the vending machine business, he's not talking soda cans. Luka Senior is a kingpin of the Mob. Max Casella shoots Korman's words out as fast as a machine gun, and the speed is dead-on for this breezy, dark comedy. He gives Vince the right balance of frustration and heart as the high schooler tries explaining to Dad that his future is uncertain but one thing is "fuh shore--I'm not goin' inta da bizness." Vince may not want any part of it, but things get, well, complicated. SON OF THE MOB is like "The Sopranos" for a slightly younger audience. Casella has worked on the hit show, and he brings his talent for portraying mobsters to this fine recording of Korman's latest teen title. M.M.O. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine