What is the author's style in Deadline by Chris Crutcher?

The language of this novel is very relaxed, but it doesn't dumb-down to the reader. Ben speaks like a typical teenager, with a bit of sarcasm and sass interspersed with deep thought. Right from the beginning, Ben states that he plans to make the final year of high school count. He is determined to learn as much as he can. He uses information gleaned from books he read to back up his points and state his case in a clear manner. He treats others with respect, even when he doesn't agree with them.