Charlie Boone is a 9-year-old boy living in Louisiana, and while any boy that age would have his share of mischief and adventures, his life is especially out of control because of his name: Boone. His father is away in prison, and his mother has run off, abandoning him and his younger brother, Jute. The two boys are now living with their grandparents, who are also nothing like the typical, traditional 1960’s oldies. The boys are also often influenced by their uncle Dan  —a fugitive in the wake of a botched bank robbery — and his girlfriend, Lona. With Charlie’s DNA infused with criminal behavior and misadventures, he continues to see life through his own naïve lens and tries to fill the void with humorous, candid honesty.

My Only Sunshine: Getting Straight with the Bomb by Lou Dischler will have readers laughing uncontrollably from the first page all the way to the very delightful end, a mesmerizing, skillfully crafted humor that is filled with drama and fun. It is twisty and perfectly paced, and readers will be amused at the sudden but befitting additions of misadventures and the quirkiness in character development. Just when readers think the story couldn’t get funnier or crazier, the author will surprise them with a new unfolding of events. This book is a perfect, light-hearted read with a beautifully flowing narrative from Charlie's perspective throughout the story.

This crime thriller of sorts is uniquely filled with whimsical and folksy humor that will not leave a bitter taste in readers’ mouths. All the characters, though criminally dangerous and sometimes freaky, are memorable, likable, and relatable. The book walks us through a series of unfortunate events through the eyes of a perceptive and resilient 9-year-old boy who has no big expectations of the world. It’s a great read for those looking for a comical crime thriller.