The One O'Clock Chop

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with feelings of inadequacy or comparing their family's financial situation to more affluent peers. It is a grounding story that speaks to the dignity of hard work and the complicated process of defining oneself outside of social hierarchies. Set in a 1970s coastal town, the story follows Matt, a teen who spends his summer clamming on the Great South Bay. As he navigates a crush on a girl from a wealthy background, he learns that true self-worth comes from mastery of a craft and staying true to his roots. It is a realistic, poignant exploration of class, first love, and the transition into adulthood. Parents will appreciate the book for its honest depiction of blue-collar pride and the way it validates the struggle to find one's place in a world that often values status over character.