Trouble in Me

A fiery, darkly humorous coming-of-age tale about a pivotal moment in the life of a troubled teen.

Fourteen-year-old Jack Gantos is on the brink of sliding off track in this autobiographical novel set in Fort Lauderdale. When he meets his awesomely rebellious older neighbor, Gary Pagoda, fresh out of juvie for car theft, Jack is instantly mesmerized. Desperate to leave his old self behind, he decides he will do whatever it takes to be like Gary.

As a follower, Jack is eager for whatever crazy, hilarious, frightening thing might happen next. But he may not be as ready as he thinks when the trouble in him comes blazing to life. The Trouble in Me captures the moment the author began to slide off track as a kid who would, in just a few years, find himself locked up in a federal penitentiary for the crimes portrayed in his memoir Hole in My Life.

Filled with dark humor and a powerful coming-of-age narrative, this novel will resonate with fans of young adult fiction looking for an unflinchingly honest and provocative read. This title has Common Core connections.