Fancypants is part memoir, part novel. It's one Jewish boy's attempt at coming of age in a time period (1955-1966) when his whole generation is trying to do the same. Buddy Foreman's story is one of hopefulness and humor, but also of despair and unmet dreams. Like all kids, Buddy wants answers to some basic questions: Why can't I have more fun? Why don't my parents listen to me? Why can't I draw on the walls? And what's the deal with being Jewish?