Life Is Funny

By E.R. Frank

Book Overview

E. R. Frank's seminal first novel weaves together the stories of eleven teenagers in one city over seven years in this groundbreaking and "impressive debut" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

Why does Gingerbread always have a smile on his face? "Because life is funny," he tells Keisha. But for her--and almost everyone else in her Brooklyn neighborhood--there doesn't seem to be much to laugh about.

China, Ebony, and Grace are best friends, but Grace's mother isn't crazy about her being friends with two girls who aren't white, and each cut Ebony makes on her wrist seems to drive them even further apart.

Just across the schoolyard there's Eric who has to raise his younger brother Mickey, even though no one expects him to amount to anything. Meanwhile, Sonia's Muslim parents expect everything of her, and it may be more than she is able to give after she suffers a shattering loss.

When Drew brings his father's Jaguar into Sam's family's auto body shop across town they seem to be from opposite sides of the tracks, but Drew's the one hiding a dark family secret. And he's not the only one.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1481431641
• ISBN13: 9781481431644
• Release Date: May 2016
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.7" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

GREAT Book!!!!

As a 16 yr old who has grown up in the environment that this book takes place, I can honestly say it hits home. The slang is correct and flows naturally instead of sounding forced. The fact that all of the 11 teens lives are in some way interconnected makes this book a fascinating read. It is told from the heart and really captures the true essence of life in the city and how extemely hard it can be. The characters are real and come to life because they have real problems that come right off the page and touch your heart.

it'll change your life, i promise

My mom bought me this book. Being a 15 year old who doesn't always want to hear what my mother has to say, I didn't want to read it. I picked it up- and I fell in love. Every single page has you feeling a different emotion, every single character leaves a little memory of them you will never forget. This book is so real, so coming-at-you that no one will be able to put it down. For me, this book was my first step to the reality out there, so ate it all up. Actually its hard to tell what ate who; I either ate the book up or it ate me, for I was so absorbed in it I might as well have lived the characters' lives right along side them. This is truly my favorite out of all the many, many, MANY books that i have ever read. Once you pick it up, there is no turning back... and it will change you.

This book is one every young adult should read

This is a wonderful book that I think all teenagers can appreciate because you can relate to it so much. I myself live in Brooklyn, and the characters are so realistic they remind me of my friends when we hang out. The author is able to tackle tough situations with light-hearted words taht will make anyone laugh, or cry.

last stop, brooklyn

I am a professional social worker and I work in NYC schools. This book was masterfully accurate. It was tough and real, and most impressively, full of hope. These characters learn that they can trust themselves, trust eachother and reach for the stars. Everyone should read this book. Everyone will love this book.

mad poetry

The voices are powerful and the stories moving. The characters' lives are difficult and sometimes scarred by tragedy, and yet the book as a whole is very uplifting. Knowingly or not, these kids live the beauty beneath the suffering. Their pain is transcended by their love of life and for each other. Eric is the best example of this -- I cannot even think of him without my eyes moistening.In my mind this book is clearly for an adult audience as well as for young adults. It's the best thing I've read in at least ten years.