Adventures in Vendisizing — Charles Streams

Hugh Garragazahn is about to start high school, where he has to face new hallways, students, and homework, along with the fact that his older brother is leaving him behind. As Hugh struggles to find his place in the high-school world, he escapes with his hobby of vendisizing: looking for dropped coins underneath vending machines. Although he thought vendisizing would give him extra coins for arcade games and snacks, Hugh soon discovers that money isn't the only thing lurking under vending machines. He also finds adventure, a stalker, romance, and the path to better understanding himself.

Book 1 in The Vendisizing Series