Parents' Guide to

The Scar Boys

By Mary Cosola, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Witty tale of a bullied teen boy saved by rock 'n' roll.

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THE SCAR BOYS is a witty and engaging novel about a lonely, outcast boy who suffers burns and disfigurement from a childhood bullying incident. The book is Harry's attempt to write a 250-word college admissions essay. He abandons the word count and spills his life to the FAP (his term for "Faceless Admissions Professional"). What follows is an emotional journey through Harry's post-traumatic stress and the emotional growth he experiences in forming and maintaining friendships. Harry is a funny and sarcastic narrator. His and Johnny's adventures in listening to, writing, and performing music are exquisitely detailed by author Len Vlahos, who captures the thrill of musical discovery that comes with finding artists who rock your world.

The novel realistically portrays the excitement and heartbreak of the way relationships grow and change through middle school and into the teen years. Vlahos shows how a horrific event creates a ripple effect of trauma, resentment, and guilt through the victim's life and through the lives of those around him. Vlahos does a tremendous job of dealing with these serious themes while still providing an enjoyable read that has many exciting and fun moments.

Book Details

  • Author: Len Vlahos
  • Genre: Coming of Age
  • Topics: Friendship, High School
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: EgmontUSA
  • Publication date: January 21, 2014
  • Number of pages: 256
  • Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
  • Last updated: July 7, 2015

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