What: First of all, Crossing California has absolutely nothing to do with a road trip through the Golden State. (Look at the cover. They are wearing coats.) Adam Langer's novel is about the smart adolescent children of three families living in a specific Chicago neighborhood that is bisected by California Avenue. From November 1979 through January 1981, we follow the lives of the very studious and idealistic Jill Wasserstrom; her best friend, Muley Wills; her older sister, Michelle; Michelle's would-be boyfriend, Larry Rovner, who's also a would-be Jewish rock star; and Larry's sister, Lana. We also get a vivid, fully realized picture of Chicago circa 1980.
Representative quote: "In 1970, when the Beatles officially announced their breakup, Larry Rovner was only eight, and he didn't understand why they couldn't just work out their differences. But now, as he sat in his basement bedroom and practice facility with his bass player, Arik Levine, waiting vainly for the other members of Rovner! to arrive, it all made sense."
You might not like it if: Somehow, you don't end up caring about any of the characters at all. That's unlikely, but possible, I suppose.
How to get it: You can download it for your Kindle. Or, especially if you live anywhere near the Chicago area, you should be able to find it in a used bookstore.
Yes, being from California, I am not sure what this "coat" is that you speak of...
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