Rating: Not for me

Maybe I’d be more lenient if I had teenagers, but I just really didn’t like the main character’s attitudes and approaches to life. He’s upset that his workaholic parents send him to summer camp, and he frequently refers to them dumping him off so they can attend to clients. His attitudes towards his parents are disrespectful, rude, and immature. 

He explains away and makes excuses for having a party when his parents aren’t home, and he doesn’t take responsibility or show any signs of remorse. 

At camp, he is rude and deceiving as he plots a dangerous escape plan down river through dangerous rapids. When he executes his idiotic plan, two fellow-campers follow him and are also in danger. All three have near-death mishapsat some point—sometimes out of stupidity or stubborn independence.

In the end, all three sets of parents are worried about their missing children and are relieved to see their sons rescued. Unfortunately, the main character’s immature and selfish plan is rewarded by the attention he craved from his parents, who remarkably have a change of heart and decide to step away from work for some family time.

All in all, I think this book teaches kids to be reckless, selfish, and immature. I appreciate kids want adventure, but I don’t see why it must be in defiance. Not recommended.