The Last Exit to Normal by Michael Harmon

I really enjoyed this book.  It's the story of Ben Campbell, whose father announces he's gay when Ben is 14, and what his life is like with his father and his father's new boyfriend.  Ben gets in a lot of trouble until his father decides to move their family to a small town in Montana where he gets beat up, makes some friends, has to deal with a lot of bigotry against his dad, learns to work hard, tries to befriend an abused boy who lives next door, and falls in love.  The best thing about this book is the character development - every single one is beautifully developed.  It's also a compelling storyline and a sweet story.  There are many references to drugs and drinking, but most of it is in a negative light.  I think it would be a good read for eighth graders, possibly a really good pick for Reading Bowl.