About this item
If RJ Palacio's Wonder was a young adult novel, it'd be something like The Scar Boys. A severely burned teenager. A guitar. Punk rock. The chords of a rock 'n' roll road trip in a coming-of-age novel that is a must-read story about finding your place in the world...even if you carry scars inside and out. In attempting to describe himself in his college application essay--help us to become acquainted with you beyond your courses, grades, and test scores--Harbinger (Harry) Jones goes way beyond the 250-word limit and gives a full account of his life. The first defining moment: the day the neighborhood goons tied him to a tree during a lightning storm when he was 8 years old, and the tree was struck and caught fire. Harry was badly burned and has had to live with the physical and emotional scars, reactions from strangers, bullying, and loneliness that instantly became his everyday reality. The second defining moment: the day in 8th grade when the handsome, charismatic Johnny rescued him from the bullies and then made the startling suggestion that they start a band together. Harry discovered that playing music transported him out of his nightmare of a world, and he finally had something that compelled people to look beyond his physical appearance. Harry's description of his life in his essay is both humorous and heart-wrenching. He had a steeper road to climb than the average kid, but he ends up learning something about personal power, friendship, first love, and how to fit in the world. While he's looking back at the moments that have shaped his life, most of this story takes place while Harry is in high school and the summer after he graduates."These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" written by Lee Hazlewood. Copyright 1965 - 1966 1983 - 1984 Criterion Music Corporation. All rights reserved. Used By Permission. International Copyright Secured.
About the Author
I dropped out of NYU film school in the mid 80s to play guitar and write songs for Woofing Cookies. We were a punk-pop four piece -- think R.E.M. meets the Ramones -- that toured up and down the East Coast, and had two singles and one full-length LP on Midnight Records. The band broke up in 1987 and I followed my other passion, books. How do I spend my time? I write. And I write, And I write, write, write. But surely Len, you must do SOMETHING else. Okay, yes. I still play guitar and piano, and now I play ice hockey, too (though not very well) . And most of all I spend time with my better half (Kristen) , and our best collective work to date, our kids (Charlie and Luke) and dog (Shea) .
