This Is Just A Test

This Is Just A Test by Madelyn Rosenberg & Wendy Wan-Long Shang, 244 pages

David Da-Wei Horowitz is a half-Jewish, half-Chinese boy growing up in the 1980’s during the Cold War.  He’s worried that Russia will decide to push the button and start a nuclear war that will end the world.  He’s worried that his two grandmothers may never learn to get along; they seem more likely to kill each other.  He’s worried that he will never figure out how to talk to a girl.  He’s worried that he is lying to his best friend, Hector, because of his friendship with another boy, Scott.  David may not be able to achieve world peace, but he just may be able to figure out how to get some peace in his own little world.  This was a funny yet serious book about relationships and growing up.  Even though it would count as historical fiction, I would give this to kids who like realistic fiction.  I read this is an advance copy and the library doesn't own it yet.