This sharp-eyed, clever book is both a nostalgic look back at a boyhood in 1969 Queens, New York and a peek inside the heart and mind of a smart, decent kid who made some not-so-smart decisions. As Julian writes in a journal -- a punishment of sorts for his part in a prank that turned ugly -- he explores what it means to be a good kid and comes to terms with the sometimes unintended consequences of his actions. While we don't find out the details until the end of the book, it's clear that Julian can't get thoughts of what happened out of his mind or off his conscience. Through it all, he explores his feelings about his friends, his status at school, troubles with girls, and the big-picture challenge of growing up and -- as symbolized by his bar mitzvah studies -- becoming a man. 
 Twerp is well-written, and it's easy to believe that we're reading the actual journal of a 12-year-old. This book would make a great addition to middle school libraries, and would be a terrific choice for classroom or home discussions. Recommended for strong independent readers -- and their parents, too. 
 Review copy courtesy of Random House via Netgalley. 
 My full review is up at http://bookshelffantasies.com/2013/05....