Notes From The Midnight Driver

Come ride along with Alex. Frustrated by his parent's divorce, Alex "borrows" his mother's car to pay a surprise visit to his father, who just happens to be dating Alex's former third-grade teacher. To work up the courage for this visit, Alex has had a bit too much to drink. His midnight drive ends in the neighbor's yard and involves a decapitated lawn gnome and vomit on a police officer's shoes.Community service at a nursing home is Alex's punishment. His mother arranges for him to spend time with Sol, a resident in the facility where she works. Sol is the most contrary patient at the home, and he outdoes himself in making Alex miserable. Alex's complaints to the judge handling his case are dismissed with comments about how Alex and Sol will be good for each other and can both learn from the experience.Alex and Sol do find they have a few things in common. When Alex brings his guitar along one day, he discovers Sol likes jazz and finds the old man does have knowledge to share. As the visits continue the two develop an unusual friendship.NOTES FROM THE MIDNIGHT DRIVER is Jordan Sonnenblick's second book. For any fans out there, Sonnenblick ties this new book to his first, DRUMS, GIRLS, AND DANGEROUS PIE, by bringing back several characters. Also, as in his first book, Sonnenblick works in a little romance along with music and some great humor. He captures the zany, frustrating emotional roller-coaster of the teenage experience.Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"