Son of the Mob

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

It’s been more than a decade since Gordon Korman wrote Losing Joe’s
Place, his last book for the older adolescent, but Son of the Mob, a
delightfully funny variation on the Romeo and Juliet theme, shows that
Korman can still elicit guffaws from that readership.

Vince, 17, is the youngest child in the Luca family, where the word
“family” has two meanings, with the second referring to the New York
mob that Vince’s father heads up. Like many teens of law-abiding
parents, Vince does not wish to follow his father’s career path, but
try as he will, Vince seemingly cannot escape his family’s
“influence.” For example, when Vince becomes the fourth-string
halfback on his school’s football team, he stars in his first game
before realizing that the opposition will not tackle him because he is a
Luca. Even Vince’s school assignment Web site, iluvmycat.usa, gets
subverted by his older brother, Tommy, who uses the site’s
advertisement section as a way of placing bets on horses. However, the
biggest impact of the “family” name is felt when Vince and Kendra
Bightly fall for each other. The problem of Vince’s family mob
connection is exacerbated when Kendra’s father turns out to be an FBI
agent—the one specifically charged with bringing down the Luca family.
Much fun ensues as Vince tries to hide both of his “families” from
Kendra and her father. A strong cast of supporting characters helps to
make Son of the Mob a book that readers will want to finish in one
sitting. Highly recommended.