Johnny Boy (2026)

: Reviewers from Readers' Favorite and Kirkus Reviews highlight Califano's "pitch-perfect" dialogue and vivid childhood scenes.

: It follows young Johnny Caruso as he navigates a chaotic upbringing marked by an alcoholic father and an unstable mother. Key Strengths : Johnny Boy

This literary fiction debut is widely praised for its visceral and authentic portrayal of Italian-American life in 1950s and '60s Brooklyn. : Reviewers from Readers' Favorite and Kirkus Reviews

: The narrative is described as a "heartbreaking at times" memoir-style account that captures the "savage loss" of childhood innocence. Johnny Boy