Set in the summer of 1978 at a boy scout camp, Danny Novak, at thirteen years old is the youngest boy hired to work as staff at a boy scout camp. Even though he's younger than the other boy's he's confident he'll fit in. He quickly learns that he doesn't. Mark Colby, at sixteen, has a bad reputation that follows wherever he goes. He works on the waterfront and is the strongest, meanest boy on staff. When Danny fails a swim test to work on the waterfront, a senior staff member forces Mark and Danny to spend every afternoon together. Mark wants nothing to do with the boy who has ruined his summer, but he must teach Danny to swim or get sent home. Home is the last place Mark wants to go. The other boys on staff are afraid of Mark. Danny fears Mark too, but he's determined to be on the waterfront crew. Danny struggles to make friends and fit in with the other guys. Even if Danny passes the test to work on the waterfront, will the boys accept him as one of them? On the Waterfront is a bittersweet coming of age tale of two boys struggling for acceptance and friendship.