tales of the MADMAN underground (532 pages)

The back flap telling us about author John Barnes presents a fascinating read in itself. Barnes co-authored a book with astronaut Buzz Aldrin and has written science fiction, and over 100 nonfiction articles. He has taught college classes in English, math, theater, speech, and communications, designed stage scenery and lighting, drawn weather maps, etc. etc. etc. He is multi-talented, and if nothing else shows us that it is never necessary to stick with one line of work for life! AND, I did not include everything he has accomplished!This book was a Printz Honor book, and I started to read it at the onset of my husband's illness, couldn't concentrate, put it down, and just recently picked it up and began reading it from the beginning. It is an interesting book about family, love, friendships, and loyalty. The main character is Karl Shoemaker, a senior in high school, who along with a very tight group of friends,has been in a required therapy group since middle school. Every kid in the group has major problems at home. Many have endured awful experiences. Karl vacillates between wanting to be "normal" and out of the group and wanting to remain with his loyal buddies. His dad has died, his mother has become a drunk, Karl has to take care of her, as well as try to take care of the house, as well as hold down a ridiculous number of jobs. The language in the book can be a bit harsh at times, but I think many teens will relate to what these kids are going through. Much of the book is hysterically funny, some of it is maddening, but overall, it is a good read!