Halpern (Meant to Be) and Vlahos (Hard Wired) spin a sensitive tale about two Minnesotan high school sophomores finding each other-and themselves in the process. While 15-year-old Jewish girl Eliana Hoffman, the eldest of five children, is doing well at Walter Mondale Preparatory High School, a hospitalization last year for depression has knocked her slightly off track academically and completely off the map socially. Enter Dmitri Digrindakis, the son of Greek immigrants and a drummer in a punk band. He literally goes off track when he notices Eliana in gym class after meeting her in a shared film course. Despite Eliana-s misgivings about relationships after being ghosted by friends last year, the pair soon fall into a sweet romance, one that-s fraught with normal teenage tensions yet bound by their mutual love of movies. A focus on cultural identities offers a delightful vehicle for an ensemble cast-particularly Dmitri-s grandmother, Yia Yia, and Eliana-s best friend, Janina-that spotlights personal growth. Though the plot, filled with cringeworthy first-love mistakes, skews light, the novel-s candid approach and alternating voices will appeal to younger audiences while introducing them to classic pop cultural love stories. Ages 13-up. (Jan.)

Gr 8 Up-Both Dmitri and Eliana come from large families: Eliana's large Jewish family is close but crowded in her small home, while Dmitri is surrounded by his larger-than-life, outgoing Greek family. Eliana deals with depression that continuously threatens to submerge her, while Dmitri, the outward-facing epitome of confidence as the drummer in a band, nonetheless is unsure of himself as he navigates life and his relationships. At the start of sophomore year, Eliana transfers into film class and catches the eye of her polar opposite: Dmitri. She avoids him yet is intrigued. He is smitten. Determined to win her love, Dmitri surrounds Eliana with his presence. When he invites her to join his family at the Greek festival, she says yes. There she meets Dmitri's grandma, Yia Yia, and other family members. Their Ferris wheel ride allows them to get to know each other and results in a song Dmitri writes to commemorate their newfound love. Eliana, while honored, becomes frightened by Dmitri's intensity. Alternating chapters tell their story from each perspective, revealing their hopes, desires, and thoughts. As Eliana strives to understand how her depression clouds her view of life, forcing her to shut down and avoid everyone, Dmitri must likewise turn inward and learn to slow down and not crowd. VERDICT A story of how friendship and love can grow together; recommended for YA collections.Connie Williams, Petaluma, CA