About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating the complexities of their reputation or struggling with the weight of past mistakes. It is an ideal choice for a child who feels misunderstood by authority figures or is facing the pull of old, unhealthy friendships while trying to grow. The story follows Jerome (known as Armpit), a teen recently released from juvenile detention who is working a hard labor job and setting small, manageable goals to stay on the right path. However, a ticket-scalping scheme and a chance encounter with a pop star test his resolve. This is a story of redemption, the power of steady progress, and the difficult choice to prioritize long-term integrity over short-term gain. It offers a realistic look at how hard it is to change your life when the world expects you to fail.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: There is a scene involving a violent physical altercation where Kaira is attacked by her manager with a baseball bat. It is a moment of high tension and domestic betrayal that may be upsetting. Additionally, Armpit experiences racial profiling by police at a concert, which involves a physical confrontation and handcuffs; this depicts a realistic and stressful instance of systemic injustice. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the legal and ethical nuances of ticket scalping and petty fraud. There is also a need for conversation regarding the reality of the juvenile justice system and how a 'record' follows a person, impacting their employment and how they are treated by law enforcement.
Ideal Reader
A middle or high schooler who feels like they are constantly being judged for their past or who struggles with the pressure to fit in with a certain crowd. It also appeals to fans of 'Holes' who want a more mature, character-driven sequel.
Parent Prep
Preview the 'baseball bat' scene toward the end of the book to gauge the intensity of the violence for your specific child. The moment Armpit is tackled and handcuffed by police at a concert despite doing nothing wrong is a visceral scene of injustice that may trigger parental anxiety regarding safety and profiling.
Age Experience
Younger readers (11-12) will focus on the excitement of the concert and the 'get-rich-quick' scheme. Older readers (14-16) will better grasp the nuance of Armpit's struggle to redefine himself against his past and the crushing weight of societal expectations.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many 'gritty' YA novels, this book uses humor and a brisk pace to explore serious themes of redemption without feeling didactic or hopeless.
Read plot summary
Jerome 'Armpit' Washburn is back in Austin after his time at Camp Green Lake. He has a five-step plan to improve his life: finish high school, get a job, save money, avoid fights, and lose his nickname. His life is steady until his old friend X-Ray convinces him to invest in a ticket-scalping scheme for singer Kaira DeLeon. The plan goes sideways, leading to a fake ticket scandal, a blossoming but complicated romance with Kaira, and a confrontation with her corrupt manager. Ultimately, Armpit must decide if he will return to his old ways or stick to the 'small steps' that define his new character.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Armpit has five specific goals for his life. Why do you think he chose 'small steps' instead of trying to change everything at once?
2
X-Ray thinks he is helping Armpit by including him in the ticket scheme. Is X-Ray a good friend? Why or why not?
3
When the police at the concert target Armpit, how does his previous experience at Camp Green Lake affect how he reacts?
4
Kaira lives a life of fame but feels very lonely. What does her friendship with Armpit provide that her celebrity life doesn't?
5
At the end of the book, Armpit makes a choice regarding the letter from Kaira. What does this tell us about his growth?
