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Reviewed by Christian C. for TeensReadToo.com

Remember Armpit, from HOLES? It's been two years since he was released from Camp Green Lake Juvenile Correctional Facility, and ever since, he's been trying to stay clean. In order to stay clean, he's established for himself five small steps:

1. Graduate from high school.
2. Get a job.
3. Save his money.
4. Avoid situations that might turn violent.
5. Lose the name Armpit.

(By the way, this is not a sequel to HOLES; you don't need to read HOLES to enjoy this book.)

At first, everything goes smoothly, but, slowly, every single one of those steps will be challenged.

For the past year, Armpit has been working for a landscaping and irrigation company, and he has saved almost a thousand dollars. But one day, his friend from camp, X-Ray, tells him that he has the perfect plan to double his money. Rock singer Kaira DeLeon is going on tour, and her next stop is their own town. X-Ray's plan is to buy twelve tickets and resell them for double the money. But since X-Ray doesn't have any money, he asks Armpit for all his savings. Armpit is not sure that this plan is such a great idea, but he doesn't want to let his friend down. So after giving it a lot of thought, he decides to do it.

When I read that I went: What? Is he stupid or what? Of course he's never going to see his money again! Or is he?

Well, unfortunately that's all I can tell you. Oh, wait! There is something else I can tell you -- somehow, Armpit and his 10-year-old neighbor, who suffers cerebral paralysis, get to meet rock star Kaira DeLeon. But you'll have to read the book to learn how that neat twist unfolds.

To me, SMALL STEPS was like a good meal that left me completely satisfied. The story kept surprising me with its unexpected turns.

There's plenty of action, there are good guys you root for and bad guys you wish the worst for, there are a lot of funny moments, and sad moments, too. SMALL STEPS is very good read. Maybe it's not as strong as HOLES; nevertheless,it's a good story. ( )

A great sequel ( )

Notable Social Studies Trade Book 2007
High interest
teenage African American female singing star
ticket scalping
cerebral palsy

fuuny and always interesting to read, no boring parts ( )