Plot: Stanley, like his father, grand father, and great-grandfather always manage to be in exactly the wrong place at exactly the wrong time. After he is accused of stealing, he finds himself at Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention facility devoid of water. The warden and councilors are sadistic and the other boys are not much better. He blames his luck on the curse brought by his great-great-grandfather's theft of a pig. Yet, despite his misfortune, he finds someone with less luck than himself. Much to surprise (and secret) of them both, they contain the means of breaking the curses on Stanley and Green Lake itself.
Reading Level: 9-12 years
Genre: Fiction, Adventure, Survival
Similar Titles: Maniac Magee
Personal Thoughts: The book won a Newbury Award and National Book Award. It deserves them. Billy is a believable boy in unbelievable circumstances. He suffers from bullies, people who do not understand him, and people who do not want to understand him. Yet, he still wants to be a good kid.
My favorite aspect of the book comes from the "set-up." Billy and his companions do not suffer at random. Their situations arise as the results of the actions of their ancestors. It inspires thought on why things are the way they are in a humorous way.
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