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Pool Boy
Fifteen-year-old Brett Gerson is a real-life S.R.K. (spoiled rich kid)–the guy you love to hate. Yep, Brett’s pretty much got life in the bag–until his dad is jailed for insider trading, and the family money swirls down the drain.
Brett wishes things could go back to the way they were–until some dirty swimming pools change everything.
Brett wishes things could go back to the way they were–until some dirty swimming pools change everything.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
3 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Michael Simmons
13 books5 followersLibrarian note: there are several authors on Goodreads with this name. This is Michael^^^Simmons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 21, 2012
Brett Gerson is a 15-year-old spoiled-rotton rich kid; he spends his days lounging by the pool, playing videogames on his big-screen tv, and basically doing anything he wants. One day there is a knock on the door and everything changes, Brett’s father is arrested for insider trading. Brett’s family loses all their money and their home, they must move into Brett’s Aunt’s house on the "other side of the tracks” as he puts it. Brett is completely miserable and hates his father for what he has done to his family, but most of all he hates him for losing all their money. When Brett gets a job working as a pool boy with an eccentric old man named Alfie, he couldn’t be more miserable, cleaning the pools of the rich families he once was just like is humiliating. Brett continues to condemn his father and swears he will never forgive him for what he did to his family. When Alfie dies, Brett finally begins to appreciate the smaller things in life.
This book was a little hard to get through, mostly because of the constant complaining of the main character Brett. However, Brett’s reactions to his father and losing all his family’s money are probably pretty realistic to what most spoiled rich 16-year-old boy’s would be. The reader might actually feel a little bad for him if it weren’t for his bratty resentful attitude through most of the book. Luckily, nearing the end of the story Brett finally begins to turn around, especially after his 70-year-old boss and friend Alfie dies. I think many teens could relate to how Brett’s feeling, especially his feelings toward his father. All in all, the story was touching and thought provoking in the “what would you do, how would you feel” sort of way. With fewer than 200 pages this is a good pick for reluctant readers, especially teen guys.
This book was a little hard to get through, mostly because of the constant complaining of the main character Brett. However, Brett’s reactions to his father and losing all his family’s money are probably pretty realistic to what most spoiled rich 16-year-old boy’s would be. The reader might actually feel a little bad for him if it weren’t for his bratty resentful attitude through most of the book. Luckily, nearing the end of the story Brett finally begins to turn around, especially after his 70-year-old boss and friend Alfie dies. I think many teens could relate to how Brett’s feeling, especially his feelings toward his father. All in all, the story was touching and thought provoking in the “what would you do, how would you feel” sort of way. With fewer than 200 pages this is a good pick for reluctant readers, especially teen guys.
August 8, 2024
Personally I liked all the things most people dislike about the novel, especially Brett Gerson's whiny, obnoxious, self centered attitude, to going from being one of America's jeunesse doree, to being almost on welfare. Being self absorbed is more or less the definition of being 15/16 years old (in wealthy countries. It is a bit different for 16 year old Alexis in Our Lady of the Assassins by Fernando Vallejo) and not having something you want is a lot less painful then having everything and having it taken away.
This is a YA novel so my disappointment that it backs away from any real examination of the sharp cruelties and repercussions of a fall from from a position of economic protection to the mundanities of ordinary existence, never mind that it concludes with Brett being rescued from many economic problems associated with the disappearance of his rich boy's life, is probably unfair. That it is more about teaching some vague lesson about growing-up, understanding, accepting people for what they are, and other similar cliches made me want to puke, but then I am disliking it for not being something else, maybe a real novel with depth.
This novel has about as much message as cotton candy has nutrition.
This is a YA novel so my disappointment that it backs away from any real examination of the sharp cruelties and repercussions of a fall from from a position of economic protection to the mundanities of ordinary existence, never mind that it concludes with Brett being rescued from many economic problems associated with the disappearance of his rich boy's life, is probably unfair. That it is more about teaching some vague lesson about growing-up, understanding, accepting people for what they are, and other similar cliches made me want to puke, but then I am disliking it for not being something else, maybe a real novel with depth.
This novel has about as much message as cotton candy has nutrition.
September 14, 2013
I decided to read this book because I was looking for a book that was like a real life story, even better from a teenagers point of view. Also after reading what was on the front cover it made me want to read it more.
Brett was a character I found interesting because he was your typical teenager, stubborn. Michael Simmons did a great job as Brett's character developed well from beginning to end. He was challenged to forgive his father which really tested his character, being the stubborn kid he was he wasn't going to give in. After a real tragedy Brett realizes that what he has been doing is wrong and in the end he gives in.
Something I have learnt from this book was to never take things for granted. Brett took his families wealth for granted then he found himself and his family broke.
"The best way to get over one disappointment or hardship is to find a bigger hardship" This is a quote from Pool boy that I quite liked. This really tied into what was happening in Brett's life. He thought that not getting the love of his life was bad, he was never going to get over this until Alfie his best friend died. Although this was really bad for Brett it made him become a more responsible and understanding person.
This book covers the book with a male main character. This category was quite challenging for me. It got me out of my comfort zone a bit because I enjoy reading books with teen female main characters rather than teen male main characters.
Brett was a character I found interesting because he was your typical teenager, stubborn. Michael Simmons did a great job as Brett's character developed well from beginning to end. He was challenged to forgive his father which really tested his character, being the stubborn kid he was he wasn't going to give in. After a real tragedy Brett realizes that what he has been doing is wrong and in the end he gives in.
Something I have learnt from this book was to never take things for granted. Brett took his families wealth for granted then he found himself and his family broke.
"The best way to get over one disappointment or hardship is to find a bigger hardship" This is a quote from Pool boy that I quite liked. This really tied into what was happening in Brett's life. He thought that not getting the love of his life was bad, he was never going to get over this until Alfie his best friend died. Although this was really bad for Brett it made him become a more responsible and understanding person.
This book covers the book with a male main character. This category was quite challenging for me. It got me out of my comfort zone a bit because I enjoy reading books with teen female main characters rather than teen male main characters.
October 8, 2012
This is a great book for someone who wants to read just for fun! It gets the point across while still telling the story of a 16 year old with a jail dad, who went from 5000 dollar stereos to bologna sandwiches for a meal. When all his money goes to waste he has to get a job that he thought he would never have to get.He became a poolboy. He still hates his dad in the end but knows that he always will have room for his love.
February 10, 2020
This book was an fascinating short read. Only 164 pages long, the emotions and actions Brett Gerson are definitely relatable coming from someone who is also fifteen. Life sucks and we like to complain about it. This book feels almost real, the scenarios are (unfortunately) relatable and I had that Draco Malfoy (but brunette) kind of tone while reading this book. In any case, I really enjoyed this book for it's underlying emotional scenes and dry, sarcastic but funny humor.
Before reading this book, I briefly scrolled through some previous reviews to note as I read. Here are a few to keep in mind without any spoilers:
- Yes, he does complain a lot. This was by far the most common comment I've seen. It was definitely annoying at first, but I would be a hypocrite if I didn't say I did this myself. Every page feels like he's rolling his eyes at someone, wether it be his dad, mom, best friend, literally anyone he mentions. He does repeat complaints though, but through that complaining, we get more info about him and his life.
- Yes, he is annoying. I think that's really common for any normal teenager to say though, being boastful and arrogant about themselves, especially in a first person pov style. It's as if he's writing in his diary, not narrating his life.
- Speaking of narrating, one thing I can agree on is the lack of imagery. It was hard to grasp some of the settings unless he flat out told us. And when he does try of create a place in our mind for him, it's very vague, enough for me to make up most of the irrelevant setting props (like how big the mansions and its pools were or the prison).
- This might be a personal interest, but the writing style in the book feels more real to me. I like to think in short sentences. I have an already complex life, why make my brain do more work? I sometimes forget he's the same age as me, he sounds older from the way he talks and acts.
- Brett is a very blunt person. He tells us exactly what he's feeling and is straight to the point. Because of this, the book starts to feel very fast paced. There weren't a set amount of chapters per page, which can sometimes stretch to as long as 5-ish pages to half of one. A lot of things are thrown at you from the start and to me, some instances feel almost too convenient, but honestly that's one of the reasons I really enjoyed this book. I didn't have to commit to it.
Like what a lot of other reviewers have said, this is a relatively quick and easy read that's enjoyable and has decently high stakes. You could probably binge this book for about an hour and a half and be satisfied. If you don't particularly like the "rich brat who complains a lot but learns a valuable sort of lesson in the end" trope, you should probably reach for another book.
Before reading this book, I briefly scrolled through some previous reviews to note as I read. Here are a few to keep in mind without any spoilers:
- Yes, he does complain a lot. This was by far the most common comment I've seen. It was definitely annoying at first, but I would be a hypocrite if I didn't say I did this myself. Every page feels like he's rolling his eyes at someone, wether it be his dad, mom, best friend, literally anyone he mentions. He does repeat complaints though, but through that complaining, we get more info about him and his life.
- Yes, he is annoying. I think that's really common for any normal teenager to say though, being boastful and arrogant about themselves, especially in a first person pov style. It's as if he's writing in his diary, not narrating his life.
- Speaking of narrating, one thing I can agree on is the lack of imagery. It was hard to grasp some of the settings unless he flat out told us. And when he does try of create a place in our mind for him, it's very vague, enough for me to make up most of the irrelevant setting props (like how big the mansions and its pools were or the prison).
- This might be a personal interest, but the writing style in the book feels more real to me. I like to think in short sentences. I have an already complex life, why make my brain do more work? I sometimes forget he's the same age as me, he sounds older from the way he talks and acts.
- Brett is a very blunt person. He tells us exactly what he's feeling and is straight to the point. Because of this, the book starts to feel very fast paced. There weren't a set amount of chapters per page, which can sometimes stretch to as long as 5-ish pages to half of one. A lot of things are thrown at you from the start and to me, some instances feel almost too convenient, but honestly that's one of the reasons I really enjoyed this book. I didn't have to commit to it.
Like what a lot of other reviewers have said, this is a relatively quick and easy read that's enjoyable and has decently high stakes. You could probably binge this book for about an hour and a half and be satisfied. If you don't particularly like the "rich brat who complains a lot but learns a valuable sort of lesson in the end" trope, you should probably reach for another book.
March 27, 2020
VIDEO REVIEW: (https://youtu.be/Y7rORBaJg4g).
Rating: 2/5 Stars.
CONS
1) This is a character-driven story and I’m MUCH more of a PLOT driven reader. I was highly annoyed by the fact that every-single-time I really started enjoying the plot, Michael Simmons jumps from it and spends a long-time discussing Brett as a Character.
2) As a ‘riches to rags’ book – where were the riches? This book opens up POST the protagonist being rich. I just wish Simmons could have added 2 extra chapters at the beginning. 1 to show us Brett in all his rich glory – and the 2nd chapter to have him lose it all. This did not happen and that really annoyed me.
3) Brett is such a pessimistic, cruel character. In fact, one of the things he says is “I didn’t want to go soft. Can’t get soft ‘cause that’s when your beaten. You become to complacent, you think things aren’t so bad, you feel kindness and goodwill towards your fellow man, and bam, next thing you know (spoiler).” (Pg 113). – He could have gone down a ‘make the best of it’ troupe, but Simmons didn’t and that annoyed me.
PROS
1) I listened to this on audiobook (while reading along with the physical) and the audio narration was done by Chad Lowe (aka Mr Montgomery in PLL). I really appreciated that. It was comforting hearing the book being read to me by someone I knew.
2) The Climax was a breath of fresh-air that was very much appreciated (I would say more but it will spoil the book).
3) I liked the Character Alfie and the protagonist’s best-friend’s mother – but we’re really great characters and added to the plot (when it was existent).
All in all I didn’t LOVE this book, but the ending was too good to just give it 1 star. I don’t really recommend this book unless you are looking for a short book to add to your ‘read’ list.
Rating: 2/5 Stars.
CONS
1) This is a character-driven story and I’m MUCH more of a PLOT driven reader. I was highly annoyed by the fact that every-single-time I really started enjoying the plot, Michael Simmons jumps from it and spends a long-time discussing Brett as a Character.
2) As a ‘riches to rags’ book – where were the riches? This book opens up POST the protagonist being rich. I just wish Simmons could have added 2 extra chapters at the beginning. 1 to show us Brett in all his rich glory – and the 2nd chapter to have him lose it all. This did not happen and that really annoyed me.
3) Brett is such a pessimistic, cruel character. In fact, one of the things he says is “I didn’t want to go soft. Can’t get soft ‘cause that’s when your beaten. You become to complacent, you think things aren’t so bad, you feel kindness and goodwill towards your fellow man, and bam, next thing you know (spoiler).” (Pg 113). – He could have gone down a ‘make the best of it’ troupe, but Simmons didn’t and that annoyed me.
PROS
1) I listened to this on audiobook (while reading along with the physical) and the audio narration was done by Chad Lowe (aka Mr Montgomery in PLL). I really appreciated that. It was comforting hearing the book being read to me by someone I knew.
2) The Climax was a breath of fresh-air that was very much appreciated (I would say more but it will spoil the book).
3) I liked the Character Alfie and the protagonist’s best-friend’s mother – but we’re really great characters and added to the plot (when it was existent).
All in all I didn’t LOVE this book, but the ending was too good to just give it 1 star. I don’t really recommend this book unless you are looking for a short book to add to your ‘read’ list.
July 25, 2018
2.5 stars. Close to three, but for that the book was lacking too much depth in the story. This was clearly written for a young adult audience and even though the story to me was entertaining enough to keep reading, it could have been worked out a bit better and felt a bit forced. There was not enough genuinity in the story to make it really believable. And I do understand why people just dislike the main character, but this was created a bit out of proportion just to give the reader this feeling, or at least that's what I think. All in all it was a quick and entertaining read, but to be fair, you wouldn't miss anything by not reading the book. For that it just is too thin in more than one way.
February 18, 2025
Rich bratty boy’s rich dad gets caught in money laundering scheme, goes to prison, so rich bratty boy spends the entire book hating his dad for making them poor. Rich bratty boy gets a job at a fast food restaurant, is a brat, gets fired and so he gets another job as a pool boy, becomes less of a brat and then recounts a couple lessons learned from losing his money and having to learn responsibility - one lesson of which was “I probably would’ve still learned these life lessons if I had money, but instead I had to do it while being poor.”
April 10, 2018
This book is about a boy who lived rich until one day the police came to his house. His dad was in trouble and was getting arrested when he tried to run away. The cops caught him and it was so stupid because then he was in even more trouble. Now his family is known all around town and they don't have much money. They are very sad until he starts getting into the fun with pools. This book was pretty good and I recommend it to someone who just likes a fast read (not a lot of pages).
June 23, 2017
What a beautiful, beautiful book! Not Shakespeare, but what an honest, down to earth, well-written read! Finished it in one go.
February 28, 2017
The book "Pool Boy" by Michael Simmons is very entertaining and inspiring. It's is about a young boy who's father is very very rich. His father is later charged with fraud and goes to jail, leaving his family with nothing much because all of his money was taken from him. The young boy then has to get a job and he finds out what a harsh world I is out there. The authors purpose for writing this book is to show that sometimes life may come easy, but you have to work for things that are really worth it.
June 20, 2011
For early high-school or middle school, this isn't a bad book. Brett Gerson is a spoiled rich kid who has to adapt to a much-reduced level of income while his father serves time for securities fraud. This first-person narrative alternates between Brett raging about his father's failures, ranting about his unfortunate circumstances, and drooling over the girl of his dreams. He quits a job, gets another, learns to drive, throws a party, yearns for a girl, grows up a little, and comes to detente with his imprisoned pop.
There are some clever lines and some earnest attempts at seriousness, but "Pool Boy" barely skims the surface. Alfie is great as Brett's Pool-man boss, but all the other characters - including the wacky aunt - aren't memorable. Brett's whining overwhelmed whatever else was going on. Perhaps this is because there isn't all that much going on. By half way through the story, I wanted shake Brett. Maybe slap some sense into him. When he gets some sense (on his own - I did not slap a 16 year-old fictional character; that's my story and I'm sticking to it) I didn't much care.
If the description on the back cover or inside sleeve entices (Oh! Wait. My library's Perma-Bound copy doesn't have either. Dang and Blast and why do they do that with YA anyway? It is the kiss of circulation death) perhaps a moderately skilled reader will like this PG read (light profanity). I'd recommend The Summer I Got a Life or Notes from the Midnight Driver before this one.
There are some clever lines and some earnest attempts at seriousness, but "Pool Boy" barely skims the surface. Alfie is great as Brett's Pool-man boss, but all the other characters - including the wacky aunt - aren't memorable. Brett's whining overwhelmed whatever else was going on. Perhaps this is because there isn't all that much going on. By half way through the story, I wanted shake Brett. Maybe slap some sense into him. When he gets some sense (on his own - I did not slap a 16 year-old fictional character; that's my story and I'm sticking to it) I didn't much care.
If the description on the back cover or inside sleeve entices (Oh! Wait. My library's Perma-Bound copy doesn't have either. Dang and Blast and why do they do that with YA anyway? It is the kiss of circulation death) perhaps a moderately skilled reader will like this PG read (light profanity). I'd recommend The Summer I Got a Life or Notes from the Midnight Driver before this one.
June 16, 2011
Brett was a spoiled rich brat until one October day when 8 cops showed up and arrested his father for insider trading. Then his family lost their money, their house, their possessions, and the man responsible for the mess they were in. And Brett promises that he will NEVER forgive him for it. Living on the wrong side of the tracks for once in his life does give Brett some new insights, and his friendship with Alfie, the 70-something pool cleaner he ends up working for gives him something else.
I loved this book. Brett has the perfect angst-ridden teenage boy voice. He's smart, disaffected, and royally pissed off at his dad and his situation, yet still manages to be a good person. With deceptively simple language and structure, Michael Simmons really gets at the marrow of some hard issues - a dad in prison, feelings of hurt and betrayal, and a fall from grace. It made me laugh, it made me snigger, it made me hurt, and it made me cry. Brett is a tough nut to crack and he's definitely not one who wants his emotions out where anyone can see them, but we glimpse them anyway and know how much of a struggle it is for him.
Excerpt:
"A guy can do something stupid and ruin your life, but you still love him for no reason. No reason at all...But if there is a reason, it might be because the guy who messed up your life also happens to love you and to need you, and if you stab him in the back, he's finished. You don't have many people like that in the world - people who need you and whom you need - and the ones you do have can disappear with no warning at all..." (pp. 162-163)
I loved this book. Brett has the perfect angst-ridden teenage boy voice. He's smart, disaffected, and royally pissed off at his dad and his situation, yet still manages to be a good person. With deceptively simple language and structure, Michael Simmons really gets at the marrow of some hard issues - a dad in prison, feelings of hurt and betrayal, and a fall from grace. It made me laugh, it made me snigger, it made me hurt, and it made me cry. Brett is a tough nut to crack and he's definitely not one who wants his emotions out where anyone can see them, but we glimpse them anyway and know how much of a struggle it is for him.
Excerpt:
"A guy can do something stupid and ruin your life, but you still love him for no reason. No reason at all...But if there is a reason, it might be because the guy who messed up your life also happens to love you and to need you, and if you stab him in the back, he's finished. You don't have many people like that in the world - people who need you and whom you need - and the ones you do have can disappear with no warning at all..." (pp. 162-163)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 4, 2013I think the book pool boy by Michael Simmons was an appropriate read for my level. Pool boy is about a teenager named Brett Gerson who has to start living his life with barely any money because his rich father got in trouble with the government. This story takes place in California. Also the main theme of this story is forgiving people no matter what they do. The protagonists in this story are Brett’s sister, Brett’s mom, Nicole, Frank, Brett’s father and Alfie.
I thought this was an excellent read because the author shows many feelings and actions that would relate to how people act and feel in reality. An example of this would be Brett living his new life. When Brett has to live with little money or fancy things, he acts how someone would in real life. His emotions are depression, anger and often mean. The author also added, Brett not wanting anything to do with his father after what happened. If I had to rate this book out of five stars, I would give it a 4. My reason for this is because the author did an excellent job, other than the part of Brett always being a complete jerk to his father which made me sad for Brett and his father. If I was to recommend this book to someone, it would almost be anyone I can think of because this book really shows love, internal and external conflict and so on. So hopefully if you read this book review you will read Pool Boy someday as well. Trust me, you will love it.
I thought this was an excellent read because the author shows many feelings and actions that would relate to how people act and feel in reality. An example of this would be Brett living his new life. When Brett has to live with little money or fancy things, he acts how someone would in real life. His emotions are depression, anger and often mean. The author also added, Brett not wanting anything to do with his father after what happened. If I had to rate this book out of five stars, I would give it a 4. My reason for this is because the author did an excellent job, other than the part of Brett always being a complete jerk to his father which made me sad for Brett and his father. If I was to recommend this book to someone, it would almost be anyone I can think of because this book really shows love, internal and external conflict and so on. So hopefully if you read this book review you will read Pool Boy someday as well. Trust me, you will love it.
April 28, 2025
Life is difficult and most of us do terrible things to each other. But that doesn't remove the good things we do for each other.
This was not a great start to the month. Pool Boy is about Brett, a fifteen-year old whose luxury lifestyle is disrupted when his father is imprisoned for insider trading. All at once, he loses everything: his house, his trust in his parents, the pool... and he has to get a job. I'd expected a feel good story about someone who got a bad deal in life and has to climb his way back up.
I think in a way that's what I got? Unfortunately, through it all, Brett *stays* that spoiled, annoying rich kid stuck-up who doesn't care about anyone but himself - not even his supposed best friend - and who treats women like they're his property. Because those are the things the book doesn't even see as problematic; we're supposed to think he should forgive his father much sooner, while I personally thought that that aspect of his character was the most understandable and the thing that annoyed me least.
Recommend if: You're a rich white boy looking for a quick read
Avoid if: You're looking for sustained character growth
Content warnings: Misogyny, sexual assault disguised as romance, heart attack, death
November 3, 2012
This book is about a kid named Brett whose parents are very rich until one day his dad is arrested for fraud. He loses everything; his house, his car, his pool, his games and everything else he relied on. He moved with his mom and his sister into their weird aunt's house. Things are very hard on their family, they went from having everything to having nothing. One day an old man who still loves to work, offers him a job cleaning pools. This is funny to me because he used to have his own pool to have cleaned. Eventually he even has to clean his old pool and other people's pools that he knows. Brett is also having trouble forgiving his dad for what he did. He doesn't like to visit him in jail or when he does he just swears at him. I really like this book because it is written well and has a good lesson. It teaches Brett how to work for things he wants because you won't always get everything you want. The character is developed very well from the beginning of the book to the end of the book. He starts off as a spoiled kid who receives anything he wants to a kind kid who works for what he wants. At some points the book can be a little slow but overall it is an excellent book.
October 4, 2012
Pool Boy is an amazing book. I love it and I can't put it down. It teaches you not to take anything for granted because anything could be gone instantly. The book is basically about a teenage boy and his family. The teenage boy's dad got arrested because he owned about ten million dollars to the government. Once his Dad was arrested they got everything they had taken away from them. They went from really really rich to having nothing. The teenage boy now has to take care of his Mom and his sister. He gets a job at Fast Burger but soon realizes that he dislikes working there. One day a older man that use to clean the teenage boy's pool walks by him and tells him that he is looking for a person to assist him in pool cleaning for the summer. Now the teenage boy has a new job as a pool boy. Although he is so embarrassed because he has to clean his rich friends pools, he sucks it up and does it anyway to support his family. I highly recommend this book because it happens in real life.
October 8, 2014
Had I read this book as a teenager, my views might be quite different. For a teen, I think this is a decent quick read with some very valuable lessons that teens NEED to hear about more often. If a teen doesn't like to read much, gets bored reading, etc. this might be an alright starter book. However, the attitude of the main character is so annoying! Again, probably my view because I am an adult. As an adult, the writing was very choppy, and hardly detailed. But, even with the poor writing, the message was still the same, and that really hit the heart. It was ok, but not something I'd recommend to anyone over the age of 18. It is definitely a book written for a high school aged audience.
October 22, 2008
Brett Gerson's family was fabulously well-to-do: mansion, mercedes, pool -- the whole package. Then one day Brett's stockbroker dad is convicted of insider trading and the Gersons lose everything. They move in with a great aunt; Brett and his mom actually have to get jobs, and dad winds up in prison.
And Brett is furious. Wouldn't you be?
But man, is he a whiner: it kind of gets on a reader's nerves to hear his whining on every page of Pool Boy, by Michael Simmons. Luckily, the author is skillful enough to make us care. Brett winds up with a job cleaning pools with Alfie, an old guy with a lot of history, and who can handle all that anger.
And Brett is furious. Wouldn't you be?
But man, is he a whiner: it kind of gets on a reader's nerves to hear his whining on every page of Pool Boy, by Michael Simmons. Luckily, the author is skillful enough to make us care. Brett winds up with a job cleaning pools with Alfie, an old guy with a lot of history, and who can handle all that anger.
January 5, 2022
This book caught me off guard by just how much I ended up caring about and really being emotionally invested in Brett and Alfie. I love a good aloof narrator learning and becoming more empathetic and the mentor relationship /friendship between Brett and Alfie is one of the best most impactful and meaningful relationships I’ve read in a while.
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*spoilers* OMG the end section hit me with a very real and very intense grief that I really just felt a lot of emotion around. I haven’t really lost anyone close to me but Brett’s narration through the process really captured the overwhelming process of dealing with the loss of a loved one.
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*spoilers* OMG the end section hit me with a very real and very intense grief that I really just felt a lot of emotion around. I haven’t really lost anyone close to me but Brett’s narration through the process really captured the overwhelming process of dealing with the loss of a loved one.
June 14, 2007
Reminiscent of Peter from Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Superfudge, but a Peter that is more sophisticated and self-aware (can't picture Simmons'Brett Gerson worrying about wet dreams when his father is in the clink for insider trading and his once bourgeois family is now not so bourgeois). Simmons takes a snipper of teenage life and does, I believe, a classy job of portraying an adolescent boys struggle in dealing with very adult pressures with the mind and life experience of a kid.
May 14, 2009
Brett is a super spoiled rich boy who suddenly finds himself struggling with the real world when his dad is arrested for insider trading. When his mom,sister and him move in with their aunt, he soon learns how real people struggle from day to day. I admit I never grew to like Brett. Even at the end of the book, when he was suppose to have softened a little bit, he was still a ungrateful brat. I did enjoy the relationship Brett experiences with his boss, Alfie. It's a good book, just not one you'd read for light reading.
November 4, 2015
I didnt really like this book for maybe the first quarter because all it was was a spoiled rich kid (Brett) who was complaining abt how his dad had ruined being rich for him but when Brett meets Alfie i started wanting to know what happened. I didnt like how Brett kept calling himself a man throughout the book becaus he was only 16 and hadmt learned anything abt life yet, so I thought that wud com up at the end saying that he finally was a real man. Over all it was a pretty good but and Brett evolved well in it. I am giving it
November 2, 2009
This book was not what I had in mind, I thought it would be interesting. It disappointed me, but at the end it was pretty sad. I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. This book is mainly about a rich boy named Brett, who suddenly lost everything and his family has to go through struggle and money, because of what his father did. This is my first time reading Michael Simmons, I think I would read more of his books later on.
November 11, 2010
This book is about a super duper rich boy whose daddy went bankrupt when he was sent to jail. The boy, Brett, has to overcome many obstacles and was even forced to take up a part-time job as a pool cleaner and was forced to cleaned up pools in rich people's house where he used to swim in. When his boss, Alfie died, he then learnt the true meaning of friendship. I think this is an interesting book.
April 26, 2011
Story of what happens to the family of a man who goes to jail for insider trading. Seen through the eyes of the angry adolescent son. The story was well-told, but I sincerely disliked our spoiled hero, who whined from beginning to end. His snobbery, his self-centered outlook, his lack of compassion for fellow humans, his commitment to never forgiving anybody - while these characteristics make him real, they also make him hard to care about. I like to like my characters.
July 26, 2012
Brett, 15, had it all: good looks, a personality, and a lot of money… until his dad got busted for insider trading and lost everything. Brett is forced to take a job cleaning the pools in his old, rich neighborhood. And he reconsiders his own sense of responsibility to rebuild the life torn apart by his father's crimes.
From Benicia High School Booktalks 2009 & Benicia Middle School Booktalks 2009-10
Benicia Public Library Call Number: YA FIC SIMMONS
From Benicia High School Booktalks 2009 & Benicia Middle School Booktalks 2009-10
Benicia Public Library Call Number: YA FIC SIMMONS
January 8, 2008
Basically, this is a book about Dick Casablancas. If Dick had a younger sister and still lived with his mother and had to move in with his aunt after his dad ended up in jail. Oh, and if Dick started working with the old man who cleaned their pool and learned valuable life lessons from said old man.
June 27, 2009
I read this when I was quite a bit younger... it was so different than anything I'd read before. I can remember probably 80% of the book and this was like, 7 years ago. That's when you know you've read a good book... when you can remember a majority of the content... the title...AND the author. Love this book.
June 8, 2012
15 yr old Brett is a spoiled rich boy until his life totally changes after his father is arrested for insider trading. Brett, his mother & sister move in w/Great Aunt Mary. Brett has to get a job as a pool boy to help make ends meet. He is assistant to a 70 yr Alfie-his former pool boy & learns many life lessons from him. Good
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