Pool Boy

Author: Michael Simmons

Brett had a pretty nice life until his dad ruined everything. He lived in a big house with a pool, had a $5,000 stereo, and all the cash he wanted—but then the police came to arrest his father for insider trading. Despite expensive lawyers, Dad was convicted and sentenced to jail, and the rest of the family had to cope. In order to pay the lawyers and settle Dad’s debts, Mom had to sell their house and luxury goods (goodbye stereo). Then Mom, Brett, and his sister moved in with an aunt.
Mom could make Brett get a job at a burger joint to start a college fund, but she couldn’t force him to show up on time or keep him from expressing his arrogant attitude and general anger. A chance encounter with Alfie, the elderly man who used to clean his family’s pool, leads to an alternative job option, which Brett decides to take after a confrontation with his boss.
He figures anything is better than flipping burgers, but it takes him a while to get used to the actual demands of the job, particularly the rule about never swimming in clients’ pools. Over the summer, Alfie teaches Brett how to drive, drink coffee, and appreciate international foods, and also a little here and there about life and forgiveness.

This is a really good book, with believable characters in believable situations. Brett’s personal growth is handled very well, progressing from general anger at the world (and specifically his father) to the point where he is able to begin to forgive.