Finding Family

The theme of finding family is dear to me—

Piper’s Merry Band finds family in each other.

Today’s recommended book: Confusion is Nothing New by Paul Acampora takes a more direct path on finding family.

Summary (from book jacket):

Ellie Magari just learned that her mother is dead. That would be sad if Ellie had ever met the woman. Exactly who was Ellie’s Mom? Does it even matter that she’s gone? Perhaps a dead mom can still help Ellie figure out what it means to be a girl in the world today. Either way, Ellie wouldn’t mind a role model beyond her master chef Dad.

Fueled by the big-hearted sounds of ‘80’s rock and roll, plus large doses of Cyndi Lauper’s girl-power joy, Confusion is Nothing New is about friendship, family mysteries, and the perfect pizza. It’s also about fathers and daughters and girls who understand that it’s good to make things, but breaking things is okay, too.

This book had me from the first scene:

in which Ellie defends her dorky-but-lovable friend Daniel by pitching her glockenspiel at the pep band director. I was in pep bands, too, and appreciate that group of kids—not quite the athletes or the cheerleaders, but enthusiasts in their own right.

The community this book is set in reminds me of the college town I grew up in. Connections are common—part of the lovely unfolding of Ellie “finding” her mother and truths about herself lies in adult characters having known each other in high school.

It helps to remember those 80’s rock and roll bands

when lyrics are quoted (I do), but it isn’t a requirement to enjoy the story of an adolescent’s search for self.

Family dynamics are brought to painful life as Ellie desperately wants to know about her mother, but her father has no interest at all in talking about her.

Finally, as with my last book recommendation, I appreciate male authors who so beautifully write female protagonists. It’s not all that common, and it’s a very fine thing—aiding in our universal journey for compassion and respect between genders.

This book will make you cheer for finding family! Grab Confusion is Nothing New by Paul Acampora, and enjoy.