The Year of the Zinc Penny

The story follows ten-year-old Trygve Soren Napoli as he navigates loneliness and the challenges of growing up in Los Angeles amidst a backdrop of war and family dysfunction. Struggling with peculiar behaviors and a sense of isolation, he grapples with his identity and the absence of his father. The tumultuous relationship with his uncle, who provides him with zinc pennies and resources for his shortwave radio, highlights the complexities of familial bonds. Through Trygve's experiences, themes of connection and resilience emerge in a world filled with uncertainty.