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–to “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 eighth 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.
2015 William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
BOOK DETAILS
- ISBN: 9781606845660
- Pages: 256 pages
- Age: 14+ including adult
- Recommended Reading level: 9th grade & up
- Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab (R)
- Publication Date: April 7, 2015
- YA/Young Adult/Teen
- Coming of age
- Music
- Friendship
- High school
- Power of music to heal
REVIEWS
"[A] wry, stylish tale."
"With a strong narrator facing very real problems, this is a standout debut that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Distinguished in every way. "
"Etches its way onto the heart and leaves a mark."
"Compelling.This book not only captures the feeling of what it is like to form a band, but also the reasons why you form a band. It took my back to that time of being in a van on my very first tour."
Peter Buck, guitarist, R.E.M.
"The book is really about the complexity of friendships, and the power of music to heal all.. "
"A witty tale of a bullied teen boy saved by rock ‘n’ roll. Vlahos does a tremendous job of dealing with serious themes while still providing an enjoyable read that has many exciting and fun moments."
"This survivor story looks addiction, bullying and isolation in the eye and doesn’t blink."
"All hail Lincoln Hoppe… (Lincoln is the narrator of The Scar Boys, audiobook.)"
"Thought-provoking… heartbreaking! humorous! Harry learns about “true friendship, first loves and feeling peace."
Deseret News
"Wise and heartwarming, Harry’s story will stay with you long after the novel ends."
"Full of great rock music and complicated characters, this book is a quick read for anyone who loves music and it’s power."
"An amazing debut novel, it has a winning mix of punk rock, guitars and real life."
"If RJ Palacio’s Wonder was a young adult novel, it’d be something like The Scar Boys."
"Read this book, now. If it’s currently on your wish list, move it to the top, and if it’s not, then it really should be."
Books and Quilts
"All the hallmarks of a coming-of-age story, but the first-person narration is compelling enough that it still feels fresh."
"…many moments where you wanted to laugh, cry and just jam when their music was flowing. An awesome read about friendship and a deep abiding love of music and the power to heal."
"A tender debut novel! at once dramatic, compelling and unique."
"Harry’s voice is so clear and deeply personal that you can’t help but root for him and his band."
"Vlahos’s debut is big-hearted and bold."
Jenn Northington, WORD Bookstores
"Harry's trajectory loosely mirrors Vlahos's time as the guitarist for a touring punk/pop band, so details like how to cut a record, land a gig at the now-defunct club CBGB...or rework a tour when the van breaks down strongly resonate."
"A great read for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, aficionados of ’80s rock, young adult readers looking for a great male protagonist, and aspiring writers looking for inspiration."
Allison Hill, President/CEO, Vroman’s Bookstore
"This is a deeply felt, character-driven story in which friendships good, bad and changeable help Harry find his own direction. Highly recommended."
Clarissa’s Bookshelf
"Harry will have readers cheering him on when things are going well and gasping as he is faced with each new hurdle."
"I was immediately drawn in. Harry carried his horrific childhood with him, even though he tried his best not to. When his time to shine arrived, his reaction stunned me."
A Librarian’s Take
"Gritty and emotional contemporary about love of music, and learning to accept yourself from a scarred teenage boy."
"A compelling and enjoyable read about figuring life out when you don’t fit in. Darkly humorous, keenly self-aware and unusually observant."
RT Book Reviews
"If you don’t want to pick up an instrument and rock out at the end of this book, then you’re not reading hard enough!"
"[Harry’s] voice is frank, sometimes filled with despair, sometimes hope, always seeking a way forward."
"…the easy voice and writing style [made] it feel like Harry was sitting next to me, telling me his story."
Strung Out On Books
"This is one of those wonderful novels where you are completely immersed from the very first page, and are nothing but satisfied by the time you close the book."
"Len Vlahos has brought music, emotions, and people to life on the page. This book is far longer than 250 words, but that doesn’t matter when every word is worth reading."
McJ Teen Reviews
"As far as coming-of-age novels go, this is a story that deserves to be around for a long time."
McJ Teen Reviews
"I loved how I could lose myself in Harry’s life and relate it to my own experiences. It’s a book I’ll definitely be recommending!"
"It is impossible to not fall in love with the main character, Harry. Recommend it to your reluctant readers, your underdogs, and your music lovers."
"It’s a fast-paced, character-driven novel delivered with appealing verve. If I were that faceless college administrator, I’d accept Harry."
"Gritty, raw, introspective and humorous."
Book Nerd Reviews
"The characters gave The Scar Boys gravity and their story made me feel a whole array of emotions from anger to passion (for music) to trepidation to hope and everything in between."
Fighting Dreamer
"Lincoln Hoppe strikes just the right note with the character of Harry–offbeat, a touch sarcastic, a little wistful–as Harry describes the teen friendships and tensions that arise around the band."
"I enjoyed the journey with much laughter. I would recommend Scar Boys to realistic fiction fans and anyone interested in garage bands or rock music in general."
"The Scar Boys is told as a college application essay, which I thought was an interesting spin and also very brave for a debut author. This does not read like a debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what Len Vlahos puts out next."
Paperback Heart
"Teens will appreciate Harry’s courage and chutzpah, and will hopefully be inspired to go forth, do great things, and follow their dreams."
"A perfect book for your YA and Adult Book Clubs."
Unshelved
"Charismatic and witty, Len Vlahos’ debut novel tells a tale of change and the way music heals our lives forever. As a debut novelist, Vlahos’ writing is flawless. He adds an undercurrent of sarcasm to the humor and wit that made this novel flow so well."
"Over the years I have experienced the full range of musical highs and lows, and that is probably why I found this book so enjoyable."
"This audio is definitely a driveway audio if there ever was one."
"The masculine vibe of this story – male protagonists, masculine voice, and male author – is direct and refreshing. I’ve just started reading The Martian by Andrew Weir and this voice is similar in its directness and sarcastic attitude. That doesn’t make The Scar Boys a boy book, though. It’s good to peer into another gender’s mind for awhile."
"With the same wry and compelling picture of relationships and growth as The Scar Boys, Scar Girl will hook readers from start to finish."
MEDIA
BLOG TOUR: Len Vlahos on The Scar Boys
BLOG TOUR: 2015 Morris YA debut award finalists – Kick Off and Giveaway
BLOG TOUR: 2015 Morris Award: An Interview with Finalist Len Vlahos