16 year old Carl lives in Milwaukee with his alcoholic, promiscuous mother. He dreams of becoming an electrical engineer and is maintaining a straight A average to make his dream of escape come true. However, he also repairs and sells stolen car stereos to help finance his dream. When his mother is arrested and sent for extended rehabilitation, Carl is forced to move up north to the "boonies" to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. Carl tries to play it cool and sophisticated, but fate won't seem to allow that. He faces relatives so caring they threaten to suffocate him, the affection of a farm girl and, finally, the discovery by police of his role in the theft ring. Carl's coming to grips with his life is handles realistically and with insight. ( )