Dr. Z and Matty Take Telegraph

by Ari Rosenschein

It’s the late ’90s—the final days before smartphones and the internet changed the teenage landscape forever. Zack and his mother have moved from Tempe to Berkeley for a fresh start, leaving behind Zack’s father after a painful divorce. A natural athlete, Zack makes the water polo team which equals social acceptance at his new school. Yet he’s more drawn to Matthias, a rebellious skater on the fringes, who introduces him to punk rock, record stores, and the legendary Telegraph Avenue.

As their friendship intensifies, Matthias’s behavior reminds Zack of his absent dad, driving a wedge between him and his mother. Complicating matters is Zaylee, a senior who boosts Zack’s confidence but makes him question his new buddy, Matthias. Faced with all these changes, Zack learns that when life gets messy, he might have to become his own best friend.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Ari Rosenschein is a Seattle-based author who grew up in the Bay Area. Books and records were a source of childhood solace, leading Ari to a teaching career and decades of writing, recording, and performing music. Along the way, he earned a Grammy shortlist spot, landed film and TV placements, and co-wrote the 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Song of the Year.

In his writing, Ari combines these twin passions. Coasting, his debut short story collection, was praised by Newfound Journal as “introducing us to new West Coast archetypes who follow the tradition of California Dreaming into the 21st century.” Award-winning author Jeff Zentner calls Rosenschein's young adult novel Dr. Z and Matty Take Telegraph "a keenly and compassionately observed coming-of-age story that glows with truth and yearning."

Ari holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch Los Angeles, and his work appears in Noisey, Observer, PopMatters, The Big Takeover, KEXP, Drunk Monkeys, and elsewhere. He lives with his wife and dogs and enjoys the woods, rain, and coffee of his region.

Reviews

[SeanO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comfortable book. While the era is a bit later than my teenage years, it was fascinating to see how the 90's kid lived. The writing is top notch and the characters are fleshed out well, and stay true to their motivations.

This book is a "slice of life" book, for the most part. There is no traditional "arc" to the story, but it isn't needed as the characters are deep and believable. Life doesn't have an arc, and this book is about life.

Loved it.

[Tim Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn, I love everything about this book. It's written with such steez. It's intriguing, it's profound, it's funny, it's sad, it's unexpected, and it runs the gamut of being a teenager, especially in the late 1990s in California. It's also a 100% perfect book for young guys you might have in your life who may be reluctant readers. The central story of the unexpected friendship between a jock, Zack, and a skater, Matthias, is relevant, heartbreaking, and transformative. The shadow narrative of what's going on with Zack's parents' divorce, and the estranged relationship he has with his absent dad, is handled so beautifully by the author. The inclusion of all the fashions and music and lingo of the time is so spot-on. I felt transported by this book, immersed. It made me contemplate all the important friendships of my life: the ones that have lasted for decades, the ones that never took off, and the ones that fell apart for a myriad of reasons. If you love YA, alt-rock music, the 90s, skater culture, and stories about friendship and self-transformation, I highly recommend you read this.

[T.D. Severin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, quirky, moving, and emotionally resonant coming of age tale of a young man, in a new area, coming to terms with love, divorce, friendships, and family. The details are beautifully done, with spot-on descriptions of life in Berkeley and the Telegraph area circa '90's. Clever, insightful, and tender, great for the Teen YA audience, and all of us who've lived through that period of life already.

[Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great journey into Berkeley in the early 90’s. Ari does a great job drawing the reader into the world of “Dr. Z” and his friends. I kept thinking of Michael Chabon and his metric for a good book - “It has good sentences” as this book has a lot of good sentences.
The story is one of adolescent friendships and how we balance our own identity with those of our friends. Moving states and starting a new school in high school is super tough and hanging on to those who offer up friendship first is super tempting. Matty’s hold over Dr. Z begins to feel uncomfortable and even dangerous and making hard choices becomes necessary. As a teacher of middle school students, I kept thinking what a good reading club book this would make for my 8th graders as they are about to head off to high schools where they will likely know no one.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't remember the last time I read a book so quickly and effortlessly. With its inviting prose, compelling narrative, and perhaps most importantly, authentic callbacks to '90s pop culture and teenage life, it's quite original yet also lovingly and nostalgically reminiscent of filmmakers such as John Hughes and Richard Linklater. There's a warmth and honesty to Rosenschein's tale that makes it an essential examination of male friendship, mental health, teenage individuality/existentialism, '90s music, late-20th century skater culture, and the like. Whether it mirrors parts of your life now or in the past, it's guaranteed to be touching, relatable, and engrossing!

[David Mampel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down! Ari writes a clear, engaging tale with rich characters and a fun and meaningful plot. I'm 62, but loved this "teen story." I could relate to so much of Zack's challenges to balance his talents with friendships and romance, too. Loved going back to the late 90s in the Bay Area and reflecting on my youth along the way. The cool thing about this story is that we adults deal with these same issues of choosing influences that are for our best interest and yet, to keep compassion in our hearts for all. Bravo, Ari! I want to read more of your work!!!