American Boys Camp

Told in a scorching, first-person narrative by Jay Bonet, a rich-kid gone bad, American Boys Camp is both a unique coming-of-age story and gut-punching insight into youth crime and the criminal justice system. Huck and Holden have a new friend.

When first published, American Boys Camp was purchased by Universal Studios and pegged to be the next big thing for actor River Phoenix. Director Rob Cohen (Fast and the Furious, XXX) penned the screenplay and was ready to helm. Then, on Halloween night in 1993, Phoenix died of a drug overdose on the streets of Los Angeles. Executives at Universal put the film into turnaround, where it languished.

“A tour de force. I was caught up in a practically claustrophobic way (that’s good) in Sprout’s novel.” Bill Goldstein, Sr. Editor, Charles Scribner’s Sons

“This novel is not ‘normal’ in any way. There is no question in anyone’s mind that Jerry Sprout is a wonderful writer.” Miriam Altschuler, Russell & Volkening Literary Agents

“A saga, a contemporary Catcher in the Rye.” Marilyn Beck, USA Today