Small Steps

Small Steps follows Theodore "Armpit" Johnson, a secondary character from Louis Sachar's acclaimed novel Holes, two years after his release from Camp Green Lake. Armpit is determined to forge a stable, honest life in Austin, Texas, working for a landscaping company and caring for his ten-year-old neighbor, Ginny, who has cerebral palsy. His resolve is tested when an old acquaintance from Camp Green Lake, X-Ray, draws him into a ticket scalping scheme for a Kaira DeLeon concert. What starts as a way to impress a crush quickly escalates into a dangerous situation involving counterfeit tickets, police, and a surprising connection with Kaira herself. The story explores themes of resilience, honesty, the consequences of past actions, and the challenges of building a new identity while navigating complex friendships and criminal dealings. It's a fast-paced, engaging read for young adults.