Book was published in 1993, so some homophobic language that's reflective of the times. 
I didn't enjoy the book very much at first, but towards the end I liked it lots more.

Of the time allusions:
It's set in 93, so Michael Jackson and Thriller video make appearances. It's interesting to see what seems like it would need to be annotated now and what wouldn't. The kids do research at the library on microfilm viewers. Local radio call-in shows don't seem to exist in the same way - and I don't know that current radios are made with tuning knobs so you get static.

Quotes I loved:
"It's just history. It has nothing to do with . . . well, with now." (p73)
"Ignorance is very important! It is an absolutely essential step in the learning process!" (p117)