The Latent Powers of Dylan Fontaine by April Lurie
Grades 7+	224 pages	Delacorte	May 2008	Hardcover

In The Latent Powers of Dylan Fontaine, we see the fallibility of adults and their varying abilities to handle situations that strike them down or raise them up. Both parents are on a journey to find themselves after their relationship fails; they are both careful not to use their two sons against one another, but somehow a little bit of this does seep into the family. The boys find themselves virtually raising themselves while their father buries himself in his career as a physician at the local hospital and is distant when he is home. Their mother, who found herself confined and stifled within the family setting, is off finding her wings in the world of art. Unfortunately, both boys are teenagers - at this time more than any other, they need stability and support.

The lead character is the younger son, Dylan Fontaine, who becomes the subject of a film his best friend is creating. Dylan’s relationships with his friends and family vary and grow throughout the storyline. They both play instruments well - Randy, his older brother is a talented musician, and it frustrates Dylan to watch Randy’s creative spirit fade away. It also scares Dylan a little, because without Randy, who will he have left? Life goes on around the family, and the typical stresses that afflict youth - school, drugs and girls - add to an already well-rounded story. I don’t want to spoil the entire story for you, but I will say that the family finds a balance that they can all live with.

I enjoyed the review process of The Latent Powers of Dylan Fontaine by April Lurie a great deal. The author provides an honest, realistic feel that makes it a solid tale within an impressive 224 pages. The paperback jacket cover (designed by I Love Dust) features interesting, whimsical art that clearly shows the themes involved in the story, from the lead male teenaged character to music, sports and urban living.

Lurie is the author of two other previously published books, Brothers, Boyfriends and Other Criminal Minds and Dancing in the Streets of Brooklyn. She currently resides with her husband and four children in Texas.

While I could find no information on the eco-printing options available to today’s publishers that were employed in the creation of this book (acid or chlorine-free paper, recycled content, veggie inks, carbon offsetting, eco-registered forests, etc.), the book is published in the U.S., resulting in fewer fossil fuels spent on North American readers.