Dunk

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is using sarcasm or humor to deflect from deep-seated pain, particularly regarding a friend's health crisis or family instability. Set against the gritty, vibrant backdrop of the New Jersey shore, the story follows Chad as he pursues the role of a 'bozo' in a boardwalk dunk tank, a job that requires him to master the art of the insult while his own life feels increasingly out of control. As Chad navigates his best friend's battle with kidney disease and his own burgeoning romantic feelings, the book explores the thin line between humor that protects and humor that hurts. It is an ideal choice for adolescents aged 12 to 17 who are beginning to grapple with the complexities of identity, the weight of responsibility, and the realization that their parents are fallible. David Lubar captures the authentic, often biting voice of a teenage boy trying to find his footing in a world that feels both exciting and deeply unfair.