Anton is a tough kid at his school, part of a group of boys that intimidates both students and teachers. His father being in prison has earned him the fear and admiration of many of the boys in his 9th grade class, and he doesn't think too much about the future. However, at home things are different. Anton lives with a strong mother and grandmother who don't like his friends or the way he is acting. His mother gets angry enough with him to turn off his internet and to sign him up for Happy Campers, an after school program made up of do-gooder kids who literally sing songs and go camping and do community service. Anton is not a happy camper, but he is roped into a service project at the women's shelter his mom is creating. Little by little Anton, along with a painfully awkward and nerdy classmate named Matthew, starts to change his ways. This book manages to be truly funny while addressing misogyny, masculinity, grief and incarceration. This is a perfect book for young teens, especially 7th-9th graders. Highly recommended for middle school libraries! #youngteenlit
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