Malt Shop Milestones
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Synopsis
Jukeboxes. Chocolate malts. Young lives. First loves.
A classic American period is in full swing in the thriving Black community of West Hill!
Vicky’s Victory
Known as “The Brain of West Hill High,” sixteen-year-old Vicky is preparing for a future career in journalism by writing for the school newspaper. She also dreams of romance, wishing to find a guy who’ll applaud her ambitions. But maybe that’s too much for Vicky to hope for in high school?
Berta’s Bounceback
Although sixteen-year-old Berta is usually upbeat, this year is proving not to be her easiest. Classes at school are getting harder for her, and it appears that her boyfriend might be interested in a new girl. What will it take to lift Berta’s morale back to its normal height?
Ari’s Aria
Still pretty new to the neighborhood, seventeen-year-old Ari wishes to join other girls in West Hill’s annual pageant. Yet, Ari would possibly look out of place as the pageant’s only biracial contestant. She’s also got a growing crush on a comical guy, but what if he only sees her as a pal?
Come along on a journey to memorable milestones—here in this nostalgic nod to the bygone era of “malt shop” books.
Release date: November 18, 2025
Publisher: Prismatic Prospects
Print pages: 396
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Behind the book
Nadine C. Keels: Malt Shop Fiction and American Diversity
My old-fashioned self enjoys vintage “malt shop” books. But like a lot of vintage entertainment, malt shop fiction doesn't have much racial diversity. Something I can't help but notice as a Black American woman.
At times when I do find references to people of color in malt shop books, the references can be culturally insensitive. It's like running into cherry pits in desserts that should be pit-free—and this isn't a new issue in general. Many Americans have been concerned about their racial representation for centuries, but their voices haven't always been widely heard.
Yet, among others, Black Americans in real life were very much a part of the malt shop era. So, I decided I'd write some historical fiction set in that era. I hope you'll enjoy Malt Shop Milestones!
