If you put trouble-making teenagers in summer camp without adult supervision, you know what to expect... Comedy, chaos, and someone crapping in the shower.
Troop 99 will have to survive a twisted game of paintball, outrun a rabid buck with tasers mounted to its antlers, and avoid getting in trouble with the camp staff if they want to stand a chance at winning the Golden Plunger.
This luxury hardcover edition offers premium cover design and materials, illustrated Adventure Rangers badges at the beginning of each chapter, a personal note from the author, and an Adventure Rangers illustration at the end of the book!
Fifteen-year-old Do-Over wants to win Camp Winnebago's coveted Golden Plunger to score a free trip to a high-adventure camp with his fellow Adventure Rangers. But when the rival Troop 100 shows up, he knows it's going to be an uphill battle. Do-Over and the rest of Troop 99 are notorious for their terrible behavior, and they start living up to their reputation as soon as they get to camp.
Turbo Cakes falls in love with the camp nurse, Uncle Ruckus tries to get rich quick with chocolate laxatives, and Shovel becomes a walking target for bullies. Their antics snowball into an unstoppable sequence of events that may get them banned from camp forever...
Join Troop 99 on their annual summer trip to Camp Winnebago and experience their epic misadventures as they try to win the Golden Plunger. This fast-paced story is full of hysterical male adolescent humor that will make you laugh out loud, so don't read it in public or people will definitely give you strange looks.
This book is perfect for anyone who's ever known a Boy Scout, gone camping, or still laughs at poop jokes.
If you enjoy books like Swim the Fly, Dan Versus Nature, or Spanking Shakespeare, then you'll love this one.
If you enjoy shows/movies like American Vandal, Camp Camp, or Superbad, then this book was straight up written for you. What the heck are you waiting for?
Don't forget your swim trunks as you set off on The Quest for the Golden Plunger, the funniest YA novel out there!
This score is rounded up from a 2.5. I will admit that this book had some good humor and I did like the snippets we got from different times (Even if some were silly, some were decent, relevant backstory). But over all I wanted more of a story than I got with this one. I kept waiting for it to be better because honestly I do think there was some potential there buried somewhere underneath the puns, jokes, and adolescent boy humor. I did like Ducky and seeing his family and I loved the lesson he taught (even if it wasn’t totally an appropriate method). I also went to camp and while there were some bits of nostalgia I think I was hoping for a big more of that. The basic plot was pretty simple underdogs Troop 99 is desperate to win the camp’s elusive golden plunger award this year and their biggest competition is the much more traditional and together Troop 100. Honestly it would have made a great movie in the 80’s. The characters were decent although I felt like they could have developed a few more.
The Quest for the Golden Plunger is a love letter to adolescence.
It encapsulates everything that comes with growing up, while also reminding us why we tried so hard to stay young right when it was time to enter the real world. It showcases a cast of characters that take you by the hand and say, "We don't really know what we're doing either, but whatever it is that you want or where ever it is that you're wanting to go, we can supply the laughs while you figure out all the difficult details on your own."
Pick up the book and return to the days of summer camp, or if you're like me, you'll finally feel like you're in the clique of people in your life who always reminisce on summer camp but you were too chicken about becoming a bear's personal trail-mix to every experience it for yourself.
These kids will:
-make you laugh (at the things that are easy to laugh at, and teach you to laugh when it's not always easy) -make you brave (a taser buck is almost scary enough to make me forego my total aversion to bears) -make you feel like you're part of something great (contemplating putting 'survived a summer with Troop 99' on all future resumés)
Pick up the book when it comes out June 1st (I was lucky enough to receive an ARC) and travel back in time to the days of camp (or, if you're still a kid, hunker down and enjoy the age you are now with characters that you'll carry with you into adulthood and remember fondly).
The author has crafted something great. Pick up the book and earn some merit badges, run from a taser buck, and always watch out for wheat pennies in the chili.
So obviously this book is not my demographic. But I do think that anyone that is currently in the Boy Scouts, or goes to camp ( or at one point DID go to some sort of sleep away camp) will have a lot to take away from this story. I was drawn to read this book after getting a taste of the first impression. Having been someone who did go to sleep away Girl Scout Camp - I figured that there would be some similarities. Mostly the fact that Troop 99 is definitely a rag tag group of misfits who are out to have fun ad just get by at camp. The counselors and the camp nurse and all of their love escapades and swooning for each other- is dead on what camp is really like. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun summer read that has experienced the scouts, or camp. The real life camp pranks, shenanigans and controlled chaos that happens in this book will keep you laughing and reading!
this book is obviously not for my demographic but there was some good parts of the books. it was fairly funny at points. i never went to summer camp so idk how accurate that can be but i was pleasantly surprised. the book had some funny scenes that made me wish i had gone to summer camp. unfortunately i never had the finances to attend summer camp but this book in a way made me feel as if i did. it takes you back to when you were young. it reminds us how much fun we had as children and how we try to not grow up. this is what we mean when we say boys will be boys. the pranks, the rivalry, the insults the competition all amazing topped off with the humor, cant go wrong. i def recommend this to middle grade students, im sure they'll love the book as they are currently going through this phase of their lives. thank you bookishfirst for the opportunity to read this!
this book was such a delight to read! i found myself flipping one page after another (after another) until --- would you look at that, i finished the entire book in one sitting! i like that there was such a fun cast of characters that did a great job of re-creating that nostalgic "summer camp shenanigans" aesthetic, and the humor was equally nostalgic, reminding me of books that i would've read while at sleepaway camp.
if i had to sum up this book in just two words, i would probably say "delightful" and "nostalgic" (and i already have...ha!) because it truly paints an excellent portrait of summer camp chaos and will make pretty much anyone feel nostalgic for those carefree (and chaotic) summer days, simultaneously making you laugh while doing so!
This book took me by surprise. As someone who never went away to a summer camp or was a part of the Boy Scouts (or Scouts Canada, as I am Canadian) I wasn't sure how invested I would be able to get into the story. I was very pleasantly surprised by just how quickly I was pulling into these characters lives and how deeply invested I became.
This book tells the story of a group of kids who are seeking to do more than just follow the rules and make it to the end of camp. These kids are here to have the time of their lives and they're not letting anything get in their way! Not a Taser Buck! Not the Rules! And definitely not Troup 100!
The characters in the book are incredibly immersive and have phenomenal depth. I honestly don't know how the author managed to make me understand so much about so many different characters lives in as few pages as he did. He found a way to introduce moments of the characters past at just the right time for me to fully appreciate the gravity of all of their situations.
I patiently wait and hope for more epic quests and journeys to be told about Troup 99 of the Adventure Rangers.
Big thanks to Jackson Dickert for authoring such an amazing book!
Jackson Dickert brings you back to the world of summer camp, when life might have been a little easier and mischief was always around the corner. I felt like I could see little bits of myself within Troop 99 and how Dickert entwined backstories into the present narrative helped further create that connection. This helped keep the story relatable as these style stories can sometimes lead to 'jumping the shark.' As someone who does not typically laugh out loud while reading, I caught myself amidst some chuckles. The book is YA leaning, but let's you tap into that piece of childhood. I would be interested to see reviews from individuals who did not attend camp or similar activities to see if the story lands the same. Dickert had a well-timed release as well, given that The Misadventures of the Adventure Rangers is definitely a summer time pick.
It's difficult for the written word to make me laugh out loud, but this book pulls that off over and over again. Its characters are unique and fun. The plot is delightfully absurd while remaining grounded to its characters, and its prose is sharp and witty.
This book also does an excellent job of bridging the gap between the ridiculous and the sincere. You don't see that combination often, and it's refreshing to see it here. I think at first glance, this might look like it's for a younger audience, but it does a wonderful job of reminding the reader that the inner life of a teenager is just as complex as an adult's.
If you're a fan of comedy with heart, you should definitely check it out!
This was by far the funniest book I've ever read. For anyone who has been shipped off to summer camp or boy scouts this is for you. The cast of characters from Uncle Ruckus, do-over, turbo, ducky, Hawkins, moonpie, banders (and all the others)and the troop leaders were fantastic. I was really invested in each of the kids lives both in and outside of camp. True to life camp jokes, pranks,and shenanigans. The wafflestomper, clogging the drains, Bilbo, and taser deer were hysterical. Great pick me up and I really laughed throughout the entire book.
This is so funny, and refreshing in the fact that I'm pretty sure the author is 100% accurately depicting how groups of boys act.
There is plenty of toilet humor, pranks, rivalry, name calling, and you know the new kid in the tighty whiteys is taking alll the shit.
There's no amazing storyline but the boys are friends, and trying to win the camp competition before one in the group moves away at the end of the summer. I did actually like the dialogue and banter too LOL
I also find toilet jokes endlessly humorous, so there's that. Totally recommend for young boys and boy moms
Thank you to the publisher via Bookish first for the advanced e copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own
Got to read an advance copy of The Quest for the Golden Plunger. Found it to be a hilarious and entertaining YA novel that mixes humor with strong characters and subtle coming-of-age themes. A great read for any guy who's been a Boy Scout or been to summer camp! Guaranteed laughs :D
The Quest for the Golden Plunger: The Misadventures of the Adventure Rangers is a hilarious tale that delves into the week long summer camp experience of the misfits of Troop 99. Will they bond or will they be disbanded? This is a literal Laugh Out Loud tale of mischief and adventure that ended with me begging for more. I would love to see Troop 99 reunite for another adventure that strengthens those bonds of brotherhood that were forged in this novel. I expected this to be a cute middle grade tale that gave the reader a couple of chuckles. What I found was something a bit more mature that had me actively rooting for the underdogs. This book was hard to put down! It has honest to goodness rip roaring, laugh out loud action that had me hee hawing to the point where I almost wet my pants laughing. Reader beware when reading this in public as random bursts of laughter will cause you to receive odd looks from people.
The story takes place at a summer camp for young teens and their hijinks involved in a camp contest. The writing is funny and light and brings to mind the likes of Louis Sachar, one of the masters of male-oriented middle-grade fiction. Is the humor crude in places? You betcha. Although when the title is "The Quest for the Golden Plunger" (and has a picture of a toilet plunger on the cover no less), you kind have to expect a little bit of toilet (or in this case, shower) humor in some places.
Is it also funny and a perfect summer read as a result? Yes, that is the case as well. The kids' attempts to get over the reputation as ne'er do wells that they achieve in order to receive the coveted Golden Plunger goes into the realm of the absurd at times, particularly when it comes to the dialogue involved. There is the feel-good examination of teen angst and friendship also involved, resulting in a comic examination of what it can mean to be a teenage boy.
I received a copy of this novel for free through BookishFirst. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The reason for the 5 stars you ask? I LIVED this almost a half century ago! This shows this book is timeless and appeals to all ages. If you ever went to a scout camp or want to know what it is like, this is the book to read.
I read this book in two sittings. It would have been one, but wife told me to turn off the light and go to bed! Otherwise, I would have read all night.
The Quest for the Golden Plunger is a hilarious, irreverent romp through the lives of a band of misfits in a Boyscouts-style summer camp. It is often edgy, pushing the boundaries just as firmly as one would expect a bunch of pubescent boys to push them. But there's some hidden moments of reflection and heartfelt camaraderie that form the heart and soul of the story. Don't worry though! As soon as something tugs at your heartstrings and you are at risk of reflecting on your lost youth, a deer will run by with tasers tied to it's antlers to distract you!
I am an Eagle Scout that grew up going to Camp Buck Toms, the summer camp that this book was based on. When I say that this book quite literally launched me back to those days growing up, I mean it in the highest form of the metaphor. I laughed out loud multiple times, which I never do while reading. I thought about my crazy camp stories and just how awkward and irregular that stage of life seemed to be at the time. It is VERY cool to be an old friend of an author of an actual book, but I very often forgot who wrote the book I was reading because the story pulled me in every chapter.
I would highly recommend this story for anyone who has ever been to a summer camp or has ever been 14 years old (that’s everyone; I recommend this book to everyone).
The Quest for the Golden Plunger is full of sarcasm, innuendos and misfits trying to out scout the other teams. The teens in Troop 99 have an agenda this year. They need to find the Golden Plunger because the prize is an all expense paid trip to the high-adventure camp later that summer. Each Adventure Ranger in Troup 99 wants another week together away from home before life takes them in different directions.
The characters all have nicknames like Ducky, Do-Over, Uncle Ruckus and Shovel to name a few. The usual teenage boy antics occur throughout the book. One of them falls for the nurse, one of the leaders has a bad attitude, there is a bully, smart guy and a younger Ranger who has to learn the ropes. Troop 100 has the precision of a military school along with a superior attitude and ex-military leader.
Life lessons are learned while in the woods. The characters learn who they can depend upon as well as who not to trust. There are a couple of twists in the book. One of which involves a character that basically makes a guest appearance which kind of confused me. The other twist was a surprise. That character added depth to the rest of the book, which I enjoyed.
If you are a fan of Bill Murray’s movies like Caddy Shack and Stripes, this book is for you. Sophomoric comedy with sexual innuendoes and potty humor reign supreme in The Quest for the Golden Plunger. The targeted audience is teen and young adult. I agree, but will caution allowing younger teens to read this as there are adult themes and adult humor liberally sprinkled throughout the story.
This is Jackson Dickert’s debut novel. Per his bio, he likes to make people laugh. Kudos to Mr. Dickert for writing a very funny book.
I enjoyed this coming-of-age story centered on boys, camp, and what comes next in our lives. The Quest for the Golden Plunger; The Misadventures of the Adventure Rangers starts with a video game session and ends in the wild woods of adventurer Rangers Camp.
Fifteen-year-old Do-Over wants to win Camp Winnebago's coveted Golden Plunger to score a free trip high-adventure camp with his fellow Adventure Rangers. The troop's nemesis Troop 100 plans to making their life hell. Troop 100 is run like a military branch while 1000 is a team of those that will never be popular. Their behavior escalates to a gross incident in the bathroom.
But the people aren't the only challenge. Troop 99 will have to survive a twisted game of paintball, outrun a rabid buck with tasers mounted to its antlers, and avoid getting in trouble with the camp staff if they want to stand a chance at winning the Golden Plunger.
Jackson Dickert creates a book that both fun and humorous but also sweat with a real heart. Since it's centered on boys, you might expect insane amounts of vulgarity, but not in this book. Dickert keeps the vulgarity to a minimum.
The writing style is charming. The chapters are easy to read and is capped off with moments of the past that gives insight int0 the characters and their situations
My favorite part is that Troop 99 consists of those boys who need extra love, who are outliers, who need a family. The boys' journey from a smish smash of character to a real troop, carries this tale. I was glad to see such a book written for boys.
Rambunctious and fun, this would be a great book for the boy reader you know. Heck, even the girls might just get a kick out of it. Just don't let them decide to create their own Golden Plunger!
I relieved an ARC from the publisher; all opinions are my own.
The Quest for the Golden Plunger: The Misadventures of the Adventure Rangers is the story of Troop 99, a group of teenage misfits and underdogs, as they head off to Camp Winnebago. Their goal is to win the Golden Plunger, the ultimate camp trophy. They have many obstacles in their way, such as their own mischievous behavior, evading authority figures and the military and vengeful Troop 100. The characters are great and have a lot more depth than you would expect from a book with 'Golden Plunger ' in the title. The story alternates between the present at camp, and the various characters' back stories, so that their motives and attitudes can be understood. The reader cannot help but root for these underdogs. The story is absolutely hilarious and had me frequently doubled over laughing. There is an abundance of potty humor and crazy slapstick; therefore, it will not appeal to everyone. I'm not easily offended, but the only insult I found that crossed a line was when one of the boys called another "AIDS face" when teasing him about his acne. The classic "pizza face" would have sufficed. This book will appeal to fans of the Wimpy Kid, the Middle School series, Captain Underpants and Gordon Korman books. There is a lot of swearing which might be a deal breaker for some parents.
Adventure Rangers Troop 99 is determined to win the coveted Golden Plunger at summer camp at Camp Winnebago. They have a lot standing in their way, such as their rivals in Troop 100, and their general misbehavior doesn't help either. Between a scheme involving chocolate laxatives, an abundance of bullying, unrequited love, the return of the Wafflestomper, and a buck covered in a taser-filled net, the adventures had at Camp Winnebago will not soon be forgotten by all involved.
The Quest for the Golden Plunger is a book full of clever play on words and crazy humor, but for me it wasn’t a very enjoyable novel; I couldn’t seem to immerse myself into the story. I did like the setup of the novel; it jumps from the present to the past to reveal bits of information about the characters, their individual circumstances, and their motives for their actions. I also liked the comradery between the characters as they work towards the common goal of winning The Golden Plunger. The ending of the novel seemed a little rushed and abrupt, and left me wanting more. Overall I wanted more than just some clever puns and one-liners.
Thank you to BookishFirst, Campfire Publishing LLC, and Jackson Dickert for gifting me an electronic copy of The Quest for the Golden Plunger, given in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
At first impression the cover reminded me of something that people who are Evan Hunter fans would instantly be gravitated towards. The fact that there’s a plunger on the cover instantly tells you you’re in for a funny, non-covential ride! This story will not only appeal to kids that grew up spending their summers at camp.. but also the ones who always wished they could! I was sent this book for review and could not wait to dive in. I read an early release blurb and new this would be the next lighthearted, summer fun read I was looking for! At times, the book is complete chaos (but in the very best of ways, of course!) Combine mischievous teenagers without any adult supervision and you’re asking for an action packed adventure with many twists and turns! This book will also appeal to people who just love crude, childish humor. The kind that makes you giggle out loud while reading (no matter how immature the joke or the age of the reader!). I came to read this book after finishing a pretty depressing, “heavy” read. Man, was I pleased to have this story packed with laughs to save me from the sadness of my previous read. You will NOT be disappointed! Buy this book TODAY!
While this is not a book I would normally read, nor am I part of the target demographic, I did find the book quite funny and surprisingly heartfelt at times. And, to someone with no firsthand experience on the subject, it does seem to capture an authentic experience of being a teenage boy at summer camp. It's also more mature than I would expect from a book aimed at teenage boys, and I don't just mean the humor. The characters' relationships and conflicts, with each other and themselves, are messy and complicated without a lot of feel-good sentimentality, even when things turn out well. And the anxieties about growing up and fitting in feel grounded in reality.
And even I can enjoy wacky hijinks and toilet humor from time to time.
As someone who was fortunate enough to read an early draft of this book, I found the finished product quite enjoyable overall and would not be opposed to reading other misadventures from Troop 99 (if only to find out why anyone would want to be called Uncle Ruckus).
Ah, I love the smell of acne cream in the morning…
Welp, it’s official. Summer is here. Wait, no, it’s not. Summer’s over by the time I read this book and so is the adolescence towards whom it’s apparently aimed. Starting with teenagers creaming each other over a video game and segueing to an odoriferous drive to summer camp, we’re in for a bunch of little boys and muy macho older kids swerving from boredom to gleeful mayhem.
Troop 99 comes off reminding me of the 1979 film “Meatballs”, where a goofy Bill Murray is head counselor to a bunch of misfits. And, true to this bowdlerized idea of what camp is like, the troop is trying to win the Golden Plunger. It’s not an actual prize per se but they want to win the bragging rights to it. Ah, there’s nothing like the sight of teenage boys engaged in a pissing contest.
We’re in for nutty hijinks, bullying, pranks teetering on the edge of meanness and a race for a prize as meaningful as that plastic crown awarded to the prom queen. Gear up, campers, and make sure you brought your backpacks. All rise for our national anthem!
The Quest for the Golden Plunger is a story that brings the reader back to adolescence and summer camp. Being upfront, I am not the author's intended demographic, and really, should have had my child read this for me. With that being said, I did enjoy it, and definitely laughed at different parts--especially imagining the deer with tazers running by!
This book is full of mischief, toilet humor, pranks and pretty much everything you would see-and remember-from summer camp. The storyline isn't anything that is new and exciting, but very reminiscent of what summer camp and the pranks are all about. The storyline was relatable, and it really brings you back to what you potentially experienced.
The writing was spot on for this demographic and I think that fans of the wimpy kid series will enjoy this book--the characters definitely have similarities. Definitely recommend it for that age group!
This book brought back so many great, and not so great, memories of adolescence and camp.
This is a perfect summer read and will have you in stitches! This is such a wonderful cast of misfits, including the adults, and I could 100% relate on so many levels. I think it's great for those who aren't 'misfits' to read it as well, as it's always good to see the other perspective.
This book tells the story of a group of kids who are seeking to have fun, win that golden plunger, and help each other out.
The characters in the book are incredibly immersive and have fantastic depth. The author managed to make me understand so many totally different people and their lives in such a short amount of time, it baffles me. And he did it with the right amount of ridiculous moments and sincere moments.
I eagerly await a sequel for troop 99's next adventure.
Many thanks to Bookish First for my audiobook copy that I won!
I won an audio copy of this book from bookish first! I went in not knowing what to expect other than a middle grade read about summer camp.
Honestly I was mostly looking forward to a nostalgia factor. What I got was much more entertaining.
The underdogs of the story want nothing more than to win the end of camp trophy. The coveted Golden Plunger! In this book you will discover a whirlwind of never ending fun. The laughs continually keep coming.
I found myself giggling and enjoying every moment. I couldn’t help but root for the misfits, the non jocks, the outcasts of camp. You just really want them to win above all else.
I recommend this book to any middle grade kid, parent, or really anyone of any age. You will find a light hearted read that keeps you moving forward on the tails of laughter.
This book was a 3.5. The plot did seem to go in different directions in places and the story lost its luster at times. But still a very enjoyable read.
This book is laugh out loud brilliant. I went into it with a totally open mind because what do I know about boy scouts? Nothing. Zero. But this story absolutely grabbed me and pulled me in from the first pages. Think Stand By Me crossed with Goonies meets the random humor of SNL and you are triangulating towards the jackpot that this book is. It's my favorite book so far this year and I read Atwood and Pulitzers so that's saying something... Jackson has really hit this mark with this debut. I am a little envious of the cleverness of this book, it runs the gamut from tear jerking to laugh out loud don't give a damn what the other people on the train think funny. Seriously, this book will change your life, or at the very least give you the ultimate time out you never knew you needed. Consider me a fan. 10/10
This was a funny book that would be great for getting middle school age boys to read. I felt like this book should be marketed more as an older middle grade book rather than a young adult book.
Personally this book was not for me because it was too chaotic and felt as though I was dropped into a room filled with middle school and teenage boys (which is exactly who this book is written about and for). This definitely had some funny parts but also a bit too much of the meanness that boys that age can show toward others, especially those who are younger than themselves, perhaps that should have been toned down. There were parts that felt like I was reading something that could have been in South Park.
There were good parts but it could have been perhaps toned down a bit.
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of the this book by Campfire Publishing LLC via BookishFirst.
Going into this book I knew it would be a hit or miss. It’s not my typical kind of read and therefore I felt like that had an impact on my overall review. I could really appreciate what the story did but it just wasn’t for me.
I do think there were some great and funny moments. I loved how it talked about Boy Scouts and the whole idea of camping and how bad someone can actually be at it. I definitely did have a laugh at that.
However, the whole story just felt and dull for me personally. Maybe someone else would enjoy it but there just wasn’t a lot that happened. It was also so slow and so much unnecessary things were added to make it longer.
I’m not sure if I would recommend this one. Maybe if it’s something you know you’ll love then sure give it a shot. Otherwise, I would probably say to just skip it or DNF if you’re not enjoying it.