WESTFIELD — “Brooklyn ’76: A Novel” by local author, Anthony Ausiello, was released on February 20. Mr. Ausiello describes his debut novel as a funny, dark, and unsentimental family drama and coming- of-age story set against a working- class neighborhood on the brink of transformation.

The Agnello family wakes Bicentennial morning to the sound of fireworks. Outside their apartment, block party preparations are already underway. Paulie, husband and father, has been out on strike with his union and is desperate to make ends meet. Dee, wife and mother, is overprotective of her children and a stern judge of character, particularly when it comes to Paulie. Tony, the dutiful elder son who is fast coming of age, now obsesses over his first girlfriend and stands ready to defy his parents to spend the Fourth with her. Alex, the younger son, still sees the world through innocent eyes, a perspective unlikely to survive the day.

As the neighborhood celebrates, a string of public missteps drives the family apart, forcing each Agnello to face their own insecurities and regrets. At nightfall, the fireworks extravaganza draws the scattered family back together—but celebration soon turns into tragedy, and one life is left hanging in the balance.

Mr. Ausiello earned a BA in English from the Pennsylvania State University and an MFA in creative writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Between degrees, he spent two decades in corporate America. “Brooklyn ’76” is his debut novel. Brooklyn born and bred, he now lives in Westfield with his wonderful wife, Talia, and his amazing children, Anya and Eli.

He will be signing copies of “Brooklyn ’76: A Novel” at Indigo at The Mall at Short Hills on Saturday, March 9 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

For more information about “Brooklyn ’76” and to relive some fun Bicentennial memories and memorabilia, check out the author’s website at https:// www.anthonyausiello.com.