The Scar Boys

//The Scar Boys
the scar boys book standing

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.

BUY FROM TATTERED COVER BUY FROM INDIE BOUND

Category:

Description

Harry is used to making people squirm. When others see his badly scarred face, there is an inevitable reaction that ranges from forced kindness to primal cruelty.

In this first-person tale written as an extended college entrance essay, Harry has no intention of sparing readers from this discomfort. He recounts the trauma of his young life spent recuperating from the act of childhood bullying that left him a burn victim. In middle school, he meets Johnny McKenna, the first person to seem to offer him genuine friendship. Over the years, Harry finds strength by Johnny’s side, following along with his decisions, from the arbitrary to the life-changing, and together, they form a punk-rock band called the Scar Boys. With the band on tour as high school ends, the true dynamic of their friendship, Johnny’s less-than-altruistic need for Harry, and Harry’s ownership of himself in all his disfigured glory begin to emerge. This leads up to a heartbreaking tragedy that bonds the two boys in understanding. Though the use of the college essay to present the story may seem trite, the unflinching honesty of the narrative and subtle development of the compelling characters make up for the use of this device.

Etches its way onto the heart and leaves a mark.

Reviews

  1. accounting –

    A wry, stylish tale…All four Scar Boys are well-etched original characters.
    The New York Times Sunday Book Review

  2. accounting –

    Vlahos’s narrative flows easily and rings true. Distinguished in every way. 
    School Library Journal, Starred Review

  3. accounting –

    Etches its way onto the heart and leaves a mark.
    Kirkus Reviews

  4. accounting –

    All the hallmarks of a coming-of-age story, but the first-person narration is compelling enough that it still feels fresh.
    Booklist

  5. accounting –

    The book is really about the complexity of friendships, and the power of music to heal all.. 
    CNN.com (review of Morris Award finalists)

  6. accounting –

    With a strong narrator facing very real problems, this is a standout debut that will appeal to a wide range of readers. 
    School Library Journal

  7. accounting –

    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. 
    Common Sense Media

  8. accounting –

    This survivor story looks addiction, bullying and isolation in the eye and doesn’t blink.”
    Justine Magazine

  9. accounting –

    …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.
    BJ Neary, member of YALSA The Hub

  10. accounting –

    All hail Lincoln Hoppe… (Lincoln is the narrator of The Scar Boys, audiobook.)
    Good Books Good Wine

  11. accounting –

    Thought-provoking… heartbreaking! humorous! Harry learns about “true friendship, first loves and feeling peace. 
    Deseret News

  12. accounting –

    A tender debut novel! at once dramatic, compelling and unique. 
    Express Milwaukee

  13. accounting –

    Harry’s voice is so clear and deeply personal-that you can’t help but root for him and his band. 
    Becky Anderson, Anderson€™s Bookshop Naperville

  14. accounting –

    Vlahos’s debut is big-hearted and bold. 
    Jenn Northington, WORD Bookstores

  15. accounting –

    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

  16. accounting –

    Wise and heartwarming, Harry’s story will stay with you long after the novel ends. 
    Powell’s City of Books, Staff Pick

  17. accounting –

    Full of great rock music and complicated characters, this book is a quick read for anyone who loves music and it’s power.
    Ren, Books Inc. Blog

  18. accounting –

    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

  19. accounting –

    Harry will have readers cheering him on when things are going well and gasping as he is faced with each new hurdle. 
    Readingjunky

  20. accounting –

    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

  21. accounting –

    An amazing debut novel, it has a winning mix of punk rock, guitars and real life.
    Waking Brain Cells

  22. accounting –

    Gritty and emotional contemporary about love of music, and learning to accept yourself from a scarred teenage boy. 
    Blkosiner’s Book Blog

  23. accounting –

    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

  24. accounting –

    If RJ Palacio’s Wonder was a young adult novel, it’d be something like The Scar Boys. 
    Fantastic Fiction

  25. accounting –

    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

  26. accounting –

    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!
    Boswell Books

  27. accounting –

    [Harry’s] voice is frank, sometimes filled with despair, sometimes hope, always seeking a way forward.
    Mother Daughter Book Club

  28. accounting –

    …the easy voice and writing style [made] it feel like Harry was sitting next to me, telling me his story. 
    Strung Out On Books

  29. accounting –

    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.
    Mable’s Fables Raves & Faves

  30. accounting –

    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

  31. accounting –

    As far as coming-of-age novels go, this is a story that deserves to be around for a long time. 
    McJ Teen Reviews

  32. accounting –

    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! 
    Total Teen Fiction

  33. accounting –

    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. 
    Annette’s Book Spot

  34. accounting –

    It’s a fast-paced, character-driven novel delivered with appealing verve. If I were that faceless college administrator, I’d accept Harry. 
    In Bed With Books

  35. accounting –

    Gritty, raw, introspective and humorous. 
    Book Nerd Reviews

  36. accounting –

    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

  37. accounting –

    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.
    AudioFile Magazine

  38. accounting –

    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. 
    Reading Through Life

  39. accounting –

    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

  40. accounting –

    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

  41. accounting –

    Teens will appreciate Harry’s courage and chutzpah, and will hopefully be inspired to go forth, do great things, and follow their dreams. 
    Sare-endipity

  42. accounting –

    A perfect book for your YA and Adult Book Clubs. 
    Unshelved

  43. accounting –

    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. 
    Fiction–The New Reality

  44. accounting –

    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. 
    Stuff Jeff Reads

  45. accounting –

    This audio is definitely a driveway audio if there ever was one. 
    Sagging Bookshelves (on The Scar Boys audiobook, narrated by Lincoln Hoppe)

Add a review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related products