Confusion Is Nothing New

About this book

Ellie Magari is figuring out what it means to be a girl in the world today, especially when the one role model she could have had (her mother) was never around and she was raised by her hardworking single father who didn't exactly keep the lines of communication open. Exactly who was Ellie's mom? And now that she's gone for good, what does that mean for Ellie?

Fueled by the bighearted sounds of '80s rock and roll, plus a dash of The Goonies and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and large doses of Cyndi Lauper's girl-power joy, Confusion is Nothing New is a coming of age story, as well as a drama and comedy, about friendship, girls, and the tension between fathers and daughters. It's also a story about girls who understand that it's good to make things, but breaking things is okay too.

In fact, sometimes breaking things is required.

Reviews

Praise for Confusion is Nothing New:

"The dry wit of Acampora's characters... and the love of '80s music permeating every scene give this story its rhythm and soul." -- Publishers Weekly

"The idiosyncratic characters bring the story to life and the irrepressible humor… is laugh-aloud funny. A satisfying novel of loss, change, and renewal." -- Booklist

"A multilayered and thought-provoking read that doesn't take itself too seriously." -- Horn Book Review

"Its warmth and wackiness will appeal to even the most reluctant readers… a delightful addition to middle school libraries." -- School Library Connection


Praise for How to Avoid Extinction:

"Acampora tucks laughter, tears, light doses of life wisdom, impressive fossils, and any number of appealing characters into this amiable odyssey." -- Booklist

"The transformative power of the American road trip is taken to new heights." -- School Library Journal

"Some of the chapter headings are funny enough to convince people to read the book all by themselves." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Love plus laughter is pretty much an extinction-proof formula for a middle-grade book, and jokesters, dinosaur fans, and those looking for a satisfyingly hopeful family drama will find plenty to dig up and enjoy here." -- Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books