Started listening to the audiobook off and on yesterday. Not sure if it's the format or what, but I could only get through the 4th chapter of nine. I found that I could care less if this poor boy was able to keep his new friend, if they were able to make a punk rock band(or even if he learned how to play an instrument), if granny lived much longer, really had psychic abilities when she slept or if she levitated, or if the boy's crush Meredith actually gave him a chance or not. I returned this audiobook to my library last night. Bored though. ( )

Great coming-of-age story about a boy who lives an isolated and home-schooled existince with his eccentric grandmother in a geodesic dome. One day while the Whitcomb family is touring the geodome, Sebastian's grandmother suffers a stroke and is taken to the hospital. This is the catalyst that pushes Sebastian out into the world, specifically into the Whitcomb family. Janice (the mother) is still reeling from a divorce, and her son Jared is recovering from heart transplant surgery. Jared finds Sebastian's upbringing extremely weird, if not cruel, and introduces him to the joys of punk rock. The two become friends and decide to form a punk rock band. The character of Sebastian is amusing, speaking like a scientist much of the time, almost as if he sees the world from an outsider's perspective. Jared is the rebel, full of anger and humiliation at his physical limitations and weakness, but also a very lonely, confused and hurt boy. The friendship between Sebastian and Jared is the heart of the story, as well as Sebastian's growing crush on Jared's older sister. I really liked this story and look forward to more from this author. Recommended to anyone who enjoys quality young adult fiction. ( )

Sebastian lives in a geodesic dome with his grandmother who is homeschooling him on the teachings of futurist philosopher R. Buckminster Fuller. When Sebastian's grandmother has a stroke, he is thrown into a relationship with the Whitcomb family that opens his eyes to friendship, punk rock, and first love. Jared Whitcomb is a swearing, chain-smoking heart transplant recipient who befriends Sebastian and begins to teach him about all the things he's been missing: junk food, guitar music, and Jared's sister, Meredith. Jared decides that he and Sebastian are going to form a band and compete in the Methodist church's talent contest. ( )

In many regards, The House of Tomorrow isn't a spectacular book. It follows a formula that has become trite in fiction. The story largely rolls out as most readers would expect from a coming-of-age story. Every time a new character pops up, you can guess the role they'll play. Stylistically, The House of Tomorrow doesn't stand out.

Despite its lack of surprises, Peter Bognanni's debut novel is still an interesting and entertaining read. Though it sticks with the formula and is peopled with predictable characters, the plot itself and the characters themselves are a joy to watch. This is a story about punk rock, geodesic domes, hero worship, education, and friendship. There's nothing formulaic about the individual aspects of the story, just the way they interact with one another.

Bognanni does a wonderful job crafting main characters who are believably human despite their strange circumstances. On the flip side, many of the secondary characters are used for irony and laughs. They cross lines, particularly in regards to religion, that make them overdrawn stereotypes. I get it, religion—especially youth groups—can be hypocritical and comical, but the lack of a character who countered this stereotype forced a lopsided story in this regard.

The House of Tomorrow is not one of the more memorable stories I've read of late, but it does stand out. Bognanni nails many of the aspects of adolescence that other authors miss. No, there aren't many surprises or unforgettable scenes, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the ride. I loved these characters and I really enjoyed watching their lives unfold. Despite the heaviness of the plot at times, The House of Tomorrow was a fun read. ( )

I listened to the recorded version of House of Tomorrow by Peter Bognanni. This book was on the Alex Award list in 2011 and it caught my eye then. When I finally got around to reading it, the novel did not disappoint. The story is about a boy, Sebastian, who has been home schooled and raised according to the strict principles of his grandmother. The grandmother was a disciple of Buckminster Fuller and she and her grandson live in the first geodesic dome home built in Iowa. The grandmother has a stroke and Sebastian finds himself kicked out of the house for a short time due to her mood swings. Fortunately, he has made a friend when a family came to tour the house. Jared, is the recipient of a transplanted heart, and is a punk rock fan. Jared turns Sebastian on to the world of punk rock and Sebastian finds friendship and resolution through his involvement with this misfit family. This was a book with lots of life's lessons that was not pedantic.

My biggest question about this book is why was it published as an adult novel? It is clearly a young adult novel and should have been marketed as such. Both of the major characters are under the age of 16 and the entire book is about typical teenage angst topics. Even the fact that the protagonist has to deal with the aging and end-of-life-care of his grandmother is typical of many teens of today. I contrast that with the other book I read this last weekend that was published as a YA novel that had no major characters under the age of 18. It was not a YA novel and yet was marketed as such. I think this causes real problems with the genre. Parents and teachers simply can't trust the YA label anymore. And neither can readers. ( )