The Amazing Life of Birds -- (The twenty-day puberty journal of Duane Homer Leech) (by Gary Paulsen)

Meanwhile, outside on his windowsill, a bird has built a nest and is raising a chick. So as his life deteriorates, Duane starts a journal to keep track of both his own changes and those of the baby bird. Could there be a connection?

If only all adolescents could be as light-hearted and fatalistic about the mess they're enduring as Duane, the narrator and main character. Suffering embarrassments and humiliations that would strain the self-confidence of a reality-show contestant, and getting little help from family or friends, Duane soldiers on with wit and a good heart.

Author Gary Paulsen maintains a light touch, doing no more than hint at some of Duane's problems and using witty euphemisms and circumlocutions for anything that Duane doesn't really want to talk about. Unfortunately his touch is not so light when it comes to slapstick -- it's funny, but ultimately strains credulity. Still, for kids who are in the throes of change, this might help lighten the mood.