Sprout by Dale Peck

It is a cultural shock for 12-year-old Daniel to move from New Jersey to small-town Kansas after his mother's death. His father tries to escape grief with alcohol. Daniel is left to cope on his own with the bullies at his new school. His strategy is to hide in plain sight: he dyes his hair green and embraces his new nickname, Sprout. He protects his inner sadness and his gay identity with sarcastic wit. But how will he find a boyfriend this way? Told in Daniel/Sprout's distinctive voice, opinionated and funny, there are a few too many duhs for my taste but it is ultimately satisfying.