Reason for categorization in this age group: Reading level, domestic abuse, mild violence, mild creepiness

Plot Summary

When Charlie Reynolds arrives in Taper, Florida, he isn't planning on staying long; Taper is where his biological father grew up and where he was released from jail. Charlie's family's just there for a funeral, then they're back to New York. That was the plan, at least. That was the plan, until Charlie's football-star stepfather, Prester Mack, is recruited as the new high school football coach.

While Charlie's mom and little sister go back to Buffalo to pack up, Charlie stays behind in Taper with Mack. Only a few days into his new life, and Charlie's already being compared to his dad, who played football with Mack in college. More importantly, he's already got a friend: his step-second cousin Cotton. That is, until Cotton goes missing. Suddenly, Charlie is swept into a crazy adventure featuring swamp monsters, football, and a whole lot of boys missing in the muck. And somewhere out there, Bobby Reynolds knows his son is in Taper.