Alfred Summer

It all started when Lester saved Alfred's life. Neither of the boys-Lester with cerebral palsy, mentally challenged Alfred-has ever had a real friend before. Then they're joined by gentle giant Myron, and Claire, the tomboy. The four band together to work on the rowboat Myron is building in his basement-and, as they do, they learn about each other, friendship, and the world. First published to great acclaim in 1980, Jan Slepian's The Alfred Summer brings to life the Brooklyn of the 1930s, and four characters readers will not soon forget. "Here is a deceptively simple, eloquent story . . . Slepian's sensible, discerning style, liberally spiced with humor, makes the book something of a tour de force." (The Boston Globe)