And Then, Boom!

By: Lisa Fipps

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

A gripping new novel in verse by the author of the Printz Honor-winning Starfish, featuring a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him

Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can’t be depended on as she never stays around long once she gets “the itch,” and now he and his beloved grandmother find themselves without a home. Fortunately, Joe has an outlet in his journals and drawings and takes comfort from the lessons of comic books—superheroes have a lot of “and then, boom” moments, where everything threatens to go bust but somehow they land on their feet. And that seems to happen a lot to Joe too, as in this crisis his friend Nick helps them find a home in his trailer park. But things fall apart again when Joe is suddenly left to fend for himself. He doesn’t tell anyone he’s on his own, as he fears foster care and has hope his mom will come back. But time is running out—bills are piling up, the electricity’s been shut off, and the school year’s about to end, meaning no more free meals. The struggle to feed himself gets intense, and Joe finds himself dumpster diving for meals. He’s never felt so alone—until an emaciated little dog and her two tiny pups cross his path. And fate has even more in store for Joe, because an actual tornado is about to hit home—and just when it seems all is lost, his life turns in a direction that he never could have predicted.

Could not stop listening

I realized that this account is in my husband’s name and I left you a review about Starfish. I am Tammy Lynn Fipps, my Dad is Paul. I could not stop listening and feeling it so much. I was in foster care and given to my aunt. I know that Mom very much. Thank you my cousin for your wonderful talent.

Absolutely wonderful

Sixth grader, Joe Oak, loves superheroes and comic books because they remind you that things work out okay in the end. First, his unreliable mom disappears and then tragedy strikes, leaving Joe completely on his own. Trying to survive is hard but it’s even harder when you’re trying to keep your situation a secret. Joe faces hunger, fear, and loneliness while trying to figure out who he can trust and what it really means to ask for help. This powerful novel in verse brilliantly depicts concepts of resilience, kindness, and the moments that can change everything.

I read more than 60 books in 2025 and this one was my favorite by far. Rereading again! Joe goes through some really tough stuff, but you can’t help but root for him to pull through. By the end, my heart felt warm and full. This is one of those stories that is truly satisfying in the end. A must read!

The whole story

I liked that in the end he came out on top. The struggle he went through of being abandoned at a young age was crazy.

Great read

This was a great story. It makes stop and think and want to help. Read it to my 5th graders and they loved it.

Great story

Joe had such a fight for his life but at the end he did it and that’s what I like about it