No Sad Songs
About
Following a family tragedy, 18-year-old Gabe LoScuda suddenly finds himself thrust into the role of caregiver for his ailing grandfather. Between the shopping trips and the doctor visits with Grandpa, Gabe and his friend John try to salvage their senior year, meet girls, and make the varsity baseball team. It doesn’t take long for Gabe to realize that going to school and looking after a grandfather with Alzheimer’s is more work than he ever imagined. And when long-lost Uncle Nick appears on the scene, Gabe soon finds that living with Nick and Grandpa is like babysitting two grown men. Aside from John, the only person who truly understands Gabe is Sofia, a punk-rocking rebel he meets at the veteran’s hospital. When these three unlikely friends are faced with a serious dilemma, will they do what it takes to save Grandpa? If there’s a chance of preserving the final shreds of Grandpa’s dignity, Gabe may have to make the most gut-wrenching decision of his life--and there’s no way out.
Praise for this book
"This coming-of-age tale is a must for any YA collection."
"Beautifully written...a timeless story of coming-of- age while watching loved ones fade."
"Full of heart and humor...will make young readers take stock of their own parents' responsibilities, and what it means to make sacrifices for the ones you love."
"No Sad Songs is lovely and funny and heart-aching and true. I didn't want it to end. But the big-hearted story and characters-- especially the very real, unforgettable Gabe-- will stay with me for a long, long time."
"No Sad Songs explores the complexities of family, love, and loss, as we follow one young man on a powerful, heartwrenching journey of self-discovery--one that is perfectly balanced with both humor and hope."
"In No Sad Songs, Frank Morelli has written a beautiful, poignant book about the near-impossible burdens that can be foisted upon us by our unpredictable lives."