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Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Year of the Meatball by Angela Calabrese offers readers a delightful blend of humor, heartache, and youthful resilience. The story is told through the eyes of Joey Marconi, a young boy whose life is uprooted when his family decides to move from the bustling Bronx to the serene countryside. This narrative explores Joey’s struggle with change, his longing for the familiar streets and faces of his old neighborhood, and his attempts to find his place in a new world that seems alien to him. The story begins with Joey grappling with the physical and emotional baggage of moving. His narrative voice is authentic and engaging, filled with the raw, unfiltered thoughts and observations that only a child can provide. This voice drives the story, offering both comedic relief and poignant moments of introspection. Joey’s challenges are heightened by the new relationships he must build, particularly with his quirky neighbors and classmates, who are unlike anyone he has known before. His experiences blend humorous misadventures with heartfelt interactions, such as his time with Bobbi, a local girl whose appearance and resilience become a central theme of the story.
Angela Calabrese’s writing shines in her ability to capture the essence of childhood with all its trials and triumphs, especially the emotions children experience when they move away from all that’s familiar. Being the new kid on the block (or school) isn’t easy, and Calabrese illustrates this perfectly and gently. The story is realistic, making it relatable for coming-of-age readers. The dialogue is honest, the puns are corny (why are baseball players so rich?), and the actions are age-accurate. Most of all, Year of the Meatball will appeal to anyone who has faced the daunting prospect of starting over. It’s a story about growing up, moving on, and the indelible marks that people and places leave on us. It’s an excellent book for school libraries and class discussions. I highly recommend it.
