I was blown away by "Boys of My Youth", and Jo Ann Beard's follow-up novel did not fail to disappoint. I probably still slightly prefer "Boys of My Youth" because it was so personal and a little more ambitious in scope, but "In Zanesville" is excellent. Like "Boys of My Youth" it is so evocative of the thrills, confusion, and trials of adolescence, without ever succumbing to cliche or redundancy. Jo Ann Beard is masterful at relating the details of food, clothing, smells, and sounds that build immediacy and a distinct sense of place. Her pacing is likewise unique, lingering over any number of fascinating details while sweeping smoothly through action and dialogue. This second superb book solidifies her place in my top 5 favorite authors of all time (along with Ian McEwan, Alice Munroe, Carol Shields, and JK Rowling).