In the late sixties and early seventies, a whole wacky world existed that most of us have never heard of: the workers who kept the summer beaches and parks of Connecticut beautiful. Rich Valentini was at the bottom of that food chain: a campground janitor, outhouse cleaner extraordinaire, garbage can dumper, idiot sticker, and overall gopher for the tasks no one else wanted to do.

A Penny Saved is a Start is a coming-of-age memoir that shares the lessons one teenage boy learns on Rocky Neck State Park beach, both good and bad. Growing up, falling in love, getting rejected, and being taught all about life from a succession of fellow workers. All of this is told with the humorous perspective of an adult looking back on the most memorable time of his life.

This feel-good book reflects an era long gone, but not so different than today. Establishing your identity as a young adult involved working hard, taking responsibility for your actions, and learning to deal with coworkers...but all without a cell phone, the internet, or social media. It's a light, enjoyable read for anyone who lived through those times, and for young people who are growing up in a very different world.