Boot Camp

Todd Strasser
Jul 3, 2017

Taken in the middle of the night, Garrett is taken to Harmony Lake, a boot camp for child delinquents. But Garrett knows he doesn’t deserve to be there. He doesn’t think he did anything wrong. He endures harsh physical and psychological abuse from both the campers and the staff. There is no way to fight back because the battle is futile. He can’t leave until he has admitted his “mistakes” and conformed to the standard of behavior. He has slowly been beaten, humiliated, and stripped of what little pride he has left, he feels he will never be able to escape. But then he hears rumors about a possible way to sneak out. It is dangerous, and if he is caught, the consequences would be disastrous, but it is his only way to freedom.

The fact that actual disciplinary camps exist like the one in the book is kind of scary. The author explains at the end of the book that a rich family can send their children to a brainwashing place like this just for being gay or not athletic, and there is almost no legal implications either. This was very interesting and it was about a topic I had never read about before. I did not love the main character, his romance with his former teacher was kind of creepy too. But I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would, and the escape was so fun to read. I thought the ending was kind of disappointing though, and a little bit sad. It wasn’t the best way to end this thrilling story.

This is a book I would highly recommend for people who like a good adventure.

Written by
Olivia from Leawood Pioneer Library YAAC

Browse by Tag