The House of Tomorrow

Seventeen-year-old Sebastian Prendergast has lived in a geodesic dome with his unconventional grandmother ever since he lost his parents. Influenced by the philosophy of Buckminister Fuller, Sebastian's strong-minded grandmother homeschools him and prepares him for greatness. Lloyd James provides the tongue-in-cheek playfulness this story requires and portrays compassion when necessary. When Sebastian's grandmother has a stroke, he must go to the home of his friend Jared, where he discovers a form of family life that has eluded him but is not without complications. James portrays his sense of discovery as he encounters new relationships and experiences, including dealing with the pretty Meredith, becoming a member of Jared's punk rock band, and the usual teenage disappointments. B.J.P. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

Starred review from November 16, 2009
Sebastian Prendergast, the teenage narrator of Bognanni's funny and unique debut, lives in Iowa's first geodesic dome with his grandmother, a devout follower of futurist philosopher Buckminster R. Fuller. But when Nana has a stroke, Sebastian is thrown together with Janice and teenageJared Whitcomb, who were touring the home when Nana was stricken. Soon, Sebastian and Jared form an unlikely bond via the great teenage tradition of punk rock, starting their own band despite the objections of everyone around them and Sebastian's lack of musical ability (holding a guitar for the first time, Jared says, “Strum,” and Sebastian asks, “What do you mean?”). And while Jared succeeds to some degree in socializing Sebastian—teaching him about music, smoking, and curse words—Sebastian ends up getting more than he bargained for when the two get caught up in Whitcomb family drama. The boys here don't come of age—girls are just beginning to exist and lifelong struggles are only taking root—but their connection is an honest, noisy, and raucous look at friendship and how loud music can make almost everything better.