From the acclaimed author of The French Girl's War comes a gripping tale of courage, love, and the extraordinary power of music.
1943 - Brooklyn, New York
In Jingle Boys, Wally Lipkin is a Jewish piano virtuoso whose extraordinary talent is overshadowed by a debilitating anxiety disorder that causes him to faint at the worst possible moments. With his eighteenth birthday looming, the draft letter from Uncle Sam is inevitable-a death sentence for someone with Wally's condition. Exposing his secret might spare him from the front lines but would likely land him in a sanatorium, like his unfortunate uncle.
In a desperate bid to escape his dire predicament, Wally teams up with his brother Max and their friend Frankie to enter a high-stakes radio jingle contest. Winning promises not only local fame and fifty dollars but also a coveted stateside government job, enabling Wally to serve his country without risking his life overseas.
But when a mesmerizing singer, who looks like she stepped off a Hollywood screen, steps into their lives, Wally's plan is thrown into disarray. Suddenly, his jingles and choices carry weight far beyond his own survival. They could alter the course of the war itself.
Jingle Boys is a heart-pounding adventure filled with danger, intrigue, and romance, showcasing the unlikely heroes who prove that even the smallest acts of courage can make the biggest difference.
Page Turner Writing Award Finalist!
Readers' Favorite - "★★★★★ Five Stars!"
"Enticing with a fantastic slice of history turned into a captivating story. This is a great book that ticks all the right boxes for an engrossing read. Very highly recommended."
-Readers' Favorite
"Songwriters. Codebreakers. Intrigue. Romance. Jingle Boys explores a fresh WWII story I've never before heard. At once surprising, heartbreaking, and great fun, Williams-Dalgart's unique characters bring this relevant historical fiction to vivid life. But beware: addictive jingles might get stuck in your brain."
-Deborah Gaal
Author of The Dream Stitcher and Synchronicities on the Avenue of the Saints