The Vinyl Underground

Nick Mondelli's contemplative delivery and vivid characterizations strengthen the author's evocative world-building in this audiobook. In Florida in 1968, Ronnie, who is mourning his brother's death in Vietnam; clever Milo; and star athlete Ramrod befriend the new girl, Hana, a half-Japanese badass with supreme taste in music. Together, these four form The Vinyl Underground--sharing songs and secrets, and plotting to change their futures. As the friends fight racism and the war machine in their town, Mondelli builds the tension, which reaches its apex during a striking climax on prom night. The mounting tension is interspersed with scenes between friends and family that illuminate the difficulties of wartime, the complexities of growing up, and the power of music. K.S.B. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine