Last Days of Summer

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the absence of a father figure or feeling like an outsider in their own neighborhood. It is especially resonant for kids who use humor and bravado to mask loneliness or for those adjusting to the aftermath of a difficult divorce. Set in 1940s Brooklyn, the story follows twelve year old Joey Margolis as he relentlessly pestering a professional baseball player into becoming his surrogate father. Through a unique format of letters and documents, the book explores how resilience and a well timed joke can bridge the gap between two very different lives. While the humor is fast paced and sharp, the emotional core is deeply tender, addressing themes of Jewish identity, financial hardship, and the profound impact of a chosen family. It is a sophisticated read for older middle schoolers and teens who appreciate historical realism mixed with wit.