Set in a small Ohio town in the 1960s, these 17 interconnected stories are coming-of-age anecdotes from the young life of Loretta Dardio. In her preteen years Loretta has a sense of humor, compassion for the underdog, and a critical eye for the boredom of her parents' lives. As a rebellious teenager she moves from her adolescent fantasies of romance into a serious love affair with Luther Biggs, a black boy from the wrong side of town. There is no nostalgia for the 1960s here, only lingering feelings of unfulfilled dreams and unhappy relationships. Lauber makes a promising debut, managing the subject of interracial dating with a sympathetic touch.

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