Review: This Is The Part Where You Laugh

This Is The Part Where You Laugh 
By Peter Brown Hoffmeister 

Publication Date: May 17, 2016
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books For Young Readers 

THIS IS THE PART WHERE YOU LAUGH is a funny, irresistible, yet dark and gritty novel that will have you hanging on the edge of your seat. Travis’ only goals for the summer are to stay out of trouble, hone his basketball skills for the next season, and search for his homeless mother. He is handed the opposite when his best friend, Creature, is attacked by a gang member, throwing Travis’ whole world off kilter. This book is not for the faint of heart. It addresses drug abuse from the heart-wrenching perspective of a teenage boy who grew up with an unstable mother and now lives in a very poor environment. Travis’ actions aren’t always justified, and he finds himself involved in more than one fight by the end of the novel. The author chooses to use short, choppy language that fits nicely with the way the story line is played out. I would recommend this book for adventurous readers.