Review:
About the Book:
“The Stone Boys” is a YA novel written by best-selling author, Michael Gurian. This book is unlike any other YA book mainly because of its graphic and sexually explicit content. It is a page turner, but also a disturbing and uncomfortable read, at least for me. “The Stone Boys” is about sexually abused boys as it gives a glimpse into how it could start, what to do about it and what it can lead to if not addressed in a timely manner.
Teenagers, Ben Brickman and Dave McConnell are encouraged by their parents to meet because they seem to have much in common: smarts, music, and relatively, the same age. Soon they become best friends and share, as most best friends do, deep, dark secrets. They begin to realize they have more things in common than most friends do — they were both sexually abused at an early age by people they most trusted: Ben by his psychiatrist and Dave by a priest and later a bully. They decide to make a pact and become blood-brothers with each one promising to keep each other’s secrets.
Soon the story advances to even more grueling content when Ben is convinced by Dave to help him get revenge on a school bully, Allen, who sexually assaulted Dave on a beach while Dave was fishing and skinny-dipping.
Even though “The Stone Boys” is a hard and disturbing read, the book was somewhat written as a self-help book for people struggling with sexual or physical abuse or even bullying. This book could help lead into discussions about any trauma that one may be dealing with.
At the end of “The Stone Boys,” Gurian answers questions that one may have after reading the 210-page book regarding why he wrote the book — what age group the book targets, and how the book has helped him deal with his sexual encounter as a child.
The target age recommended for this book would be 12 and above along with a warning label with extreme caution because of the graphic sexual content the book contains.
Price: $16.50
Purchase: You can purchase Michael Gurian’s book, “The Stone Boys” from a local bookseller and at Amazon.com or visit Gurian’s website at: https://www.michaelgurian.com/products/the-stone-boys/
About the author: Michael Gurian is a New York Times best-selling author of 32 books. He has a private counseling service for struggling youths, adults and families. Gurian is a co-founder of The Gurian Institute that “conducts research internationally, launches pilot programs and trains professionals. He has been called “the people’s philosopher” for his ability to bring together people’s ordinary lives and scientific ideas,” according to michaelgurian.com.
The Stone Boys
Publisher: Latah Books www.latahbooks.com
US Distribution: Ingram Content Group & Pages: 210
American West Books Size: 8.5 x 5.5 Format: Trade Paperback ISBN: 9780999707579
Publication Date: November 5, 2019 Price: $16.50 Latah Books
Contact: Logan Amstadter logan@latahbooks.com
