Summary:  This is the story of Harold Knishke, a Chicago teenager growing up in the 60s.  He loves “Bushman,” the famed recently departed gorilla of the Lincoln Park Zoo.   “Bushman lives” is a common greeting among his friends!   After his flute teacher convinces Harold that he has no musical talent, he sells his flute for art supplies and embarks on a journey into the strange “beatnik” world of Chicago art.

What I like about it:  I usually enjoy Pinkwater’s YA novels filled with the quirkiest of characters, literary illusions and philosophical discussions.  I loved that 1960s Chicago is his own personal wonderland filled with the oddest of characters, from the artist who only paints one color, calling this style “mimimonoism,” to the wise woman and somewhat bossy lady named Molly and her “non” dog “Wolluf.”   This time, the sheer volume of quirky characters and odd plot diversions crashed the whole story.

Who I would recommend it to:   I would only recommend this to a true fan of Pinkwater’s books.   Instead, I would recommend one of his older YA novels: The Neddiad : how Neddie took the train, went to Hollywood, and saved civilization, 2007.