From Publishers Weekly
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.
From School Library Journal
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, VACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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