When I first encountered this story, it was in a movie, which I thought was great. That inspired me to look for the original book, which I did and discovered to be an interesting, if not excellent, read. ( )

Un camp d'été en plein cœur de l'Arizona. 6 adolescents inadaptés socialement, imprévisibles, caractériels, liés par le rejet des autres, se rassemblent autour de la figure de Cotton. Envoyés là pour devenir de "vrai cow-boys", Ils forment le camp des "pisseux" et sont la risée des autres groupes. Une nuit, ils s'échappent ; ils ont une mission à accomplir.

Dans ce roman, deux temporalités se chevauchent : l'action, qui se déroule sur une nuit ; et la réminiscence des 7 semaines écoulées, faites d'humiliations et de brimades. Le séjour au camp touche à sa fin et pour Cotton, c'est leur dernière chance de se prouver ce qu'ils valent.

Un roman qui égratigne le système de valeur américain basé sur la compétition et la performance. On ne peut que grincer des dents quand la direction du camp explique que enfants séparent "naturellement" le grain de l'ivraie pour former des groupes homogènes (les forts d'un côté, les faibles de l'autre). On aime suivre les péripéties du groupe de Cotton. Tous ont des faiblesses, ils geignent, ils râlent, ils passent plus de temps à se disperser qu'à faire bloc et pourtant, ils parviennent à leurs fins et font preuve de bien plus de courage et d'audace que les autres. ( )

This is one of those classic young adult novels about "dings", young adults that have serious problems that come from toxic yet wealthy families. The drama is well played out. The plot is straight forward, yet has surprises. I can understand why it is often used in the classroom with young adults to discuss their perspective on where they are in their lives. ( )

Even though this novel is over forty years old, it still is a compelling read. The story takes place at a very traditional, competitive and “macho” all boys’ summer camp. All of the outcasts of the camp – the physically weak, immature, and, criminal minded and emotionally disturbed boys are thrown into one cabin and nicknamed “The Bed Wetters” Cotton, one of the most criminally minded of the bunch and the unofficial leader of the Bed Wetters, decides that the group should take matters into their own hands and go on a road trip to a buffalo reserve. Red Flags: This book has a sucker-punch ending and can be disturbing. most of the kids in the books could have benefited from intense therapy, antidepressants or antipsychotic medication. There is some gory violence and painful portrayals of bullying. ( )

a very thin story of a group of misfit adolescent boys who have been sent to summer camp by their parents to do some fast growing up. there are many flashbacks to explain the past of each of the boys, but not much in the way of plot development. the actual story itself is told in a rushed way and i can't imagine using this to teach high school or middle school students as it's not interesting at all. ( )