Seth Baumgartner's Love Manifesto

Gr 7 Up—Seth Baumgartner thinks that summer break will be a time of worry-free fun, but then his girlfriend dumps him while having lunch at Applebees. Moments later, he sees his dad with a woman who is not his mother. Confused about his broken relationship and spitting mad about his father's new one, Seth begins an evening podcast called The Love Manifesto to search for answers regarding the complications of love, including why normally sane people are "stupid enough to go back for more." During the day, Seth works with his best friend, Dimitri, at the golf course. Audrey, Dimitri's sister, drives the snack cart, makes terrible chicken salad sandwiches, and has suddenly gone from gangly to gorgeous. Seth and his dad enter the golf club's tournament despite Seth's misgivings. They are just one putt from a win and a $10,000 scholarship grand prize when his father's mistress appears in the crowd of spectators. Seth can't restrain his anger, so he switches his swing and takes aim at her car with glass-shattering accuracy. Eric Luper's novel (Balzer & Bray, 2010) wraps up nicely as amends are made, Seth's confusion about love dissolves in Audrey's kisses, and he learns that "sometimes you can't see clearly until you've taken a bite of the worst chicken salad sandwich in the world." Narrator Nick Podehl's transitions are subtle but defined enough to bring to life an exasperated father, a sentimental mother, a lewd best friend, and funny, soul-searching Seth. The story's perfect mix of humor, teenage confusion, an unexpected plot twist, and fine narration make this a must-have audiobook.—Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH