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The Scar Boys #1
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.
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.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 21, 2014
65 people are currently reading
3856 people want to read
About the author
Len Vlahos
10 books175 followersI 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. I've worked in the book industry ever since.
And, of course, I write. And I write, And I write, write, write.
For fun, I still play guitar and piano, and now I play ice hockey, too (though not very well).
I live in Colorado with my super awesome wife Kristen, our two sons, and our very energetic dog.
The band broke up in 1987 and I followed my other passion, books. I've worked in the book industry ever since.
And, of course, I write. And I write, And I write, write, write.
For fun, I still play guitar and piano, and now I play ice hockey, too (though not very well).
I live in Colorado with my super awesome wife Kristen, our two sons, and our very energetic dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 456 reviews
September 18, 2021
Well judging by by the glowing reviews I think this was a case of 'not for me'.
The story itself was interesting, but the telling of the story didn't work for me. It's a rather long essay that's part of an application for a university. The main character reflects on his life after being scarred when lightening struck the tree he was tied to by bullies. I wasn't drawn to any of the characters and it is more or less a 'this happened then that happened and then we did this' type of narration. I listened to it as an audiobook so maybe it was the narration itself? Not sure, but I'm sure there will be young adults at my school keen to read this.
The story itself was interesting, but the telling of the story didn't work for me. It's a rather long essay that's part of an application for a university. The main character reflects on his life after being scarred when lightening struck the tree he was tied to by bullies. I wasn't drawn to any of the characters and it is more or less a 'this happened then that happened and then we did this' type of narration. I listened to it as an audiobook so maybe it was the narration itself? Not sure, but I'm sure there will be young adults at my school keen to read this.
December 4, 2013
2.5 STARS
Geez.
If, like I was, you're expecting to read about a disfigured and shunned hero beating the odds through the healing powers of 70s punk rock… yeah, you might need to browse some more because you ain't gonna find it here. It seems like that's what this is about, until it isn't.If you're looking for a clever coming-of-age story with a universal message on love, hope, acceptance and finding your self-worth… ummm, well it does have a message. It carries the hard and sad truth people like Harbinger "Harry" Jones lives with.
The Scar Boys unfolds as Harry's personal essay written for the Faceless Administration Personnel in the University of Scranton. He overshoots the 250-word limit, instead delivering a 250-something page book chronicling his 18-year life experiences starting with a freak lightning accident followed by his methadone addiction at 8. Living the life of a monster, Harry's pretty much a perennial magnet for bullying and abuse that is until he met his best friend-to-be Johnny, who in an act of seeming kindness, forms a band with Harry on guitars, him as the frontman and 2 other characters to complete the cast. As anyone could've guessed (okay, maybe not anyone, just the pessimistic and suspicious lot) this eventually led to a more personal form of bullying and abuse courtesy of Johnny, who's apparently an extra-crispy asshole.
This read quite easily despite the non-linear format of the storytelling. It did feel a little sterile because the nature of Harry's narration severely limits the dialogue to the minimum and his emotional attachment towards the scenes were colored with biased retrospect. I liked this book best before the band storyline came into the picture, I loved the insight this gave on his family before and after the tragedy.
The introduction of music as an element in the story was abrupt and awkward. There was no set up for it, no mention of either characters as being musicians, then something happened to make Harry sad and Johnny thought forming a band would cheer him up. Next thing you know they're playing gigs, then cutting a single, then touring. Save for the chapters' titles being song titles, I didn't feel music as that integral to the story. It felt pushed far into the background where it could've been substituted by something else (they could've been stage actors or ballerinas) and the story's structure of Harry's Pity Party would still stand. More attention was actually paid towards using mechanic speak as in-your-face metaphors which was interesting but felt a bit of a letdown for me.
More than a letdown, this was a depressing as fuck book. I've read my share of depressing, but this was depressing not for the usual tropes but because it chose to espouse helplessness and compromise in a manner telling me that its perfectly okay to do this if you're a disfigured freakshow.
Whatever happened to grabbing life by the balls? Carpe diem?
Not to mention the manner in which this message was delivered where you're led to believe you're reading this kind of story, setting you up for some expectations, driving you to certain conclusions only to swerve in the last minute where you end up facing the reality that falling for these is what your cliched and the stereotypical reads have made you into. Any other story, any other ending and I would've declared it clever but this just had me sad and pissed. The worst offense was the fact that Harry's parting words were "That's good enough for me." and he actually believes this.
Nobody wants to read about a coward who ended up… a coward. And I sleep easier knowing I sleep because I chose to and not solely because some butterfly in China decided to flap its wings.
Also on BookLikes.
ARC provided by Egmont USA thru NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Quotes may not appear in the final edition.
You can't hide from the truth, and there's no point in trying.
Geez.
If, like I was, you're expecting to read about a disfigured and shunned hero beating the odds through the healing powers of 70s punk rock… yeah, you might need to browse some more because you ain't gonna find it here. It seems like that's what this is about, until it isn't.If you're looking for a clever coming-of-age story with a universal message on love, hope, acceptance and finding your self-worth… ummm, well it does have a message. It carries the hard and sad truth people like Harbinger "Harry" Jones lives with.
The Scar Boys unfolds as Harry's personal essay written for the Faceless Administration Personnel in the University of Scranton. He overshoots the 250-word limit, instead delivering a 250-something page book chronicling his 18-year life experiences starting with a freak lightning accident followed by his methadone addiction at 8. Living the life of a monster, Harry's pretty much a perennial magnet for bullying and abuse that is until he met his best friend-to-be Johnny, who in an act of seeming kindness, forms a band with Harry on guitars, him as the frontman and 2 other characters to complete the cast. As anyone could've guessed (okay, maybe not anyone, just the pessimistic and suspicious lot) this eventually led to a more personal form of bullying and abuse courtesy of Johnny, who's apparently an extra-crispy asshole.
This read quite easily despite the non-linear format of the storytelling. It did feel a little sterile because the nature of Harry's narration severely limits the dialogue to the minimum and his emotional attachment towards the scenes were colored with biased retrospect. I liked this book best before the band storyline came into the picture, I loved the insight this gave on his family before and after the tragedy.
The introduction of music as an element in the story was abrupt and awkward. There was no set up for it, no mention of either characters as being musicians, then something happened to make Harry sad and Johnny thought forming a band would cheer him up. Next thing you know they're playing gigs, then cutting a single, then touring. Save for the chapters' titles being song titles, I didn't feel music as that integral to the story. It felt pushed far into the background where it could've been substituted by something else (they could've been stage actors or ballerinas) and the story's structure of Harry's Pity Party would still stand. More attention was actually paid towards using mechanic speak as in-your-face metaphors which was interesting but felt a bit of a letdown for me.
More than a letdown, this was a depressing as fuck book. I've read my share of depressing, but this was depressing not for the usual tropes but because it chose to espouse helplessness and compromise in a manner telling me that its perfectly okay to do this if you're a disfigured freakshow.
Whatever happened to grabbing life by the balls? Carpe diem?
Not to mention the manner in which this message was delivered where you're led to believe you're reading this kind of story, setting you up for some expectations, driving you to certain conclusions only to swerve in the last minute where you end up facing the reality that falling for these is what your cliched and the stereotypical reads have made you into. Any other story, any other ending and I would've declared it clever but this just had me sad and pissed. The worst offense was the fact that Harry's parting words were "That's good enough for me." and he actually believes this.
Nobody wants to read about a coward who ended up… a coward. And I sleep easier knowing I sleep because I chose to and not solely because some butterfly in China decided to flap its wings.
Also on BookLikes.
ARC provided by Egmont USA thru NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Quotes may not appear in the final edition.
November 17, 2015
First, I have to say, I read this immediately after re-reading the Harry Potter series, and it was kind of odd going from Harry, the boy with the lightning bolt scar, to Harry, the boy who was scarred by a lightning bolt. Just saying it was an odd transition...
Anyway, the voice. This is one of those books, written in first person, that really, really makes you forget there was an author who wrote this and the character isn't actually a real person just talking to you. It was so smooth in that area. Absolutely. Spot. On.
No point in discussing plot. You can read the blurb, and that's all you need to know. This is a purely character-driven story. You love Harry, you will love his story.
OK, one thing you should know. You might expect the book to be really heavy and dark because it deals with a boy dealing with physical and emotional scarring. But it's not. Yes, the emotional rawness is totally there, but this in not one of those tear-jerking stories. At least it wasn't for me.
The only negatives I can think of relate to the same thing: the 80s references, and they are both really me being nit-picky..
I'm actually an 80s child, so it was pretty cool for me, but I couldn't help thinking that teens reading this may not get any impact from quite a lot of the references.
The other thing is a little harder to explain. I've read, no, scratch that, tried to read but gave up on two other books by authors whose bios reveal that the stories mirrored their own lives, which is something I picked up--regarding the whole music/guitarist thing--from this author's bio. The vibe that came across in those other two books was that of someone trying to relive their glory days, and in some way show teens today that they get it, or whatever. In both of those instances, I, as an adult, felt patronized. There was a short time toward the beginning of this book that that vibe just barely got started--but fortunately it stopped, quickly. So both good and bad. Shows me that the author really let the character take over.
Lastly, it really could have been made deeper. I loved it, but it was one of those one-day reads (it really is short by today's YA standards) that I'll probably always remember but will doubtfully read again. Well, maybe...
All in all, totally recommend.
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My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
Anyway, the voice. This is one of those books, written in first person, that really, really makes you forget there was an author who wrote this and the character isn't actually a real person just talking to you. It was so smooth in that area. Absolutely. Spot. On.
No point in discussing plot. You can read the blurb, and that's all you need to know. This is a purely character-driven story. You love Harry, you will love his story.
OK, one thing you should know. You might expect the book to be really heavy and dark because it deals with a boy dealing with physical and emotional scarring. But it's not. Yes, the emotional rawness is totally there, but this in not one of those tear-jerking stories. At least it wasn't for me.
The only negatives I can think of relate to the same thing: the 80s references, and they are both really me being nit-picky..
I'm actually an 80s child, so it was pretty cool for me, but I couldn't help thinking that teens reading this may not get any impact from quite a lot of the references.
The other thing is a little harder to explain. I've read, no, scratch that, tried to read but gave up on two other books by authors whose bios reveal that the stories mirrored their own lives, which is something I picked up--regarding the whole music/guitarist thing--from this author's bio. The vibe that came across in those other two books was that of someone trying to relive their glory days, and in some way show teens today that they get it, or whatever. In both of those instances, I, as an adult, felt patronized. There was a short time toward the beginning of this book that that vibe just barely got started--but fortunately it stopped, quickly. So both good and bad. Shows me that the author really let the character take over.
Lastly, it really could have been made deeper. I loved it, but it was one of those one-day reads (it really is short by today's YA standards) that I'll probably always remember but will doubtfully read again. Well, maybe...
All in all, totally recommend.
My Website
Find me on Facebook
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
February 3, 2014
A depressingly real book from the perspective of a visibly scarred boy who finds himself through music.
September 3, 2016
Love this. Not sure it's for a YA audience as I'm not sure the musical references (or other cultural references) will mean much to a fifteen year old in 2016, but they worked for me. The story is set in the 1980s.
I don't normally go for books with musical themes, as I think if I don't get the music it won't work, but really it doesn't matter here. Mainly this is great writing - and that definitely matters. The dialogue works - I can't tell you the number of times I read a book and think 'but he wouldn't say that'. The plot works. I liked the characters. I particularly liked the parents and particularly liked the dysfunctional father - I can't tell you the number of times I read a (n American) book and think 'but parents aren't like that'.
What else? I found it uplifting and inspiring.
I don't normally go for books with musical themes, as I think if I don't get the music it won't work, but really it doesn't matter here. Mainly this is great writing - and that definitely matters. The dialogue works - I can't tell you the number of times I read a book and think 'but he wouldn't say that'. The plot works. I liked the characters. I particularly liked the parents and particularly liked the dysfunctional father - I can't tell you the number of times I read a (n American) book and think 'but parents aren't like that'.
What else? I found it uplifting and inspiring.
August 17, 2025
Punk rock!
Hans gave me the ARC of this ages ago.
Harry was severely burned as a child and he has a face that makes kids react badly or act sympathetic and condescending, but he wants none of it. Johnny befriends him, not for any reason Harry can understand, but Johnny brings him into the world and they start a band and they're actually good. Harry knows that he's a second fiddle and his job is to follow what Johnny does, but his face is scarred and he has no other options. The problem is that the band is good. Harry, the hot girl guitarist, and the drummer, want to try to take it places, but Johnny's going to college and not taking the band thing as seriously as everyone else thought the band was. They go on a summer tour. They have a perfect show. Things happen. Harry is beyond tired of Johnny's shit and ready to be in the world with his scars. There's a denouement. It's intense. Great book. One of the rare ones for boy teens. Glad I finally read it, not sure why it took so long to do.
Hans gave me the ARC of this ages ago.
Harry was severely burned as a child and he has a face that makes kids react badly or act sympathetic and condescending, but he wants none of it. Johnny befriends him, not for any reason Harry can understand, but Johnny brings him into the world and they start a band and they're actually good. Harry knows that he's a second fiddle and his job is to follow what Johnny does, but his face is scarred and he has no other options. The problem is that the band is good. Harry, the hot girl guitarist, and the drummer, want to try to take it places, but Johnny's going to college and not taking the band thing as seriously as everyone else thought the band was. They go on a summer tour. They have a perfect show. Things happen. Harry is beyond tired of Johnny's shit and ready to be in the world with his scars. There's a denouement. It's intense. Great book. One of the rare ones for boy teens. Glad I finally read it, not sure why it took so long to do.
September 13, 2016
Shallow and idyllic are two words that come to mind. It was a quick and painless read, and pretty much made me feel nothing.
Let me elaborate.
Shallow: So much could have been done with the premise and plot points, but every time something interesting happened we zoomed right past the moment. I wanted more details, and they simply weren't given to me. It seemed more like I was reading the sketch for a movie plot, than about the actual lives of Harry and the Scar Boys. Harry as a narrator always kept us at arms length, and for that reason I think the "I'm writing this like I would write a college entrance essay" was a poor choice. At the beginning, Harry argues that the formula for the essay (250 words, narrow and predictable topics) is inherently flawed. I assumed what would follow would feel very different from the formulaic, trite, and typical. So, why did I feel like I really was reading a worn-out, high school essay for most of the book?
Idyllic: It felt like a 50 year old was narrating the story, not a 19 year old. IMHO, a 19 year old would not look back on the summer before and say, "When I was a kid..." I might argue that Vlahos has rosy-lensed glasses on when he recalls his adolescence, and that point-of-view wafted into his writing. The tone, as is a risk in YA, felt like it was coming from an adult remembering his childhood.
3 stars, because this should have been a better book.
Let me elaborate.
Shallow: So much could have been done with the premise and plot points, but every time something interesting happened we zoomed right past the moment. I wanted more details, and they simply weren't given to me. It seemed more like I was reading the sketch for a movie plot, than about the actual lives of Harry and the Scar Boys. Harry as a narrator always kept us at arms length, and for that reason I think the "I'm writing this like I would write a college entrance essay" was a poor choice. At the beginning, Harry argues that the formula for the essay (250 words, narrow and predictable topics) is inherently flawed. I assumed what would follow would feel very different from the formulaic, trite, and typical. So, why did I feel like I really was reading a worn-out, high school essay for most of the book?
Idyllic: It felt like a 50 year old was narrating the story, not a 19 year old. IMHO, a 19 year old would not look back on the summer before and say, "When I was a kid..." I might argue that Vlahos has rosy-lensed glasses on when he recalls his adolescence, and that point-of-view wafted into his writing. The tone, as is a risk in YA, felt like it was coming from an adult remembering his childhood.
3 stars, because this should have been a better book.
August 29, 2013
I am not generally a fan of YA fiction, but the story of Harbinger Jones so compelling, that I read it in one sitting.
It has been many,many years since I read Catcher In The Rye, but there seem to be many similarities between Harbinger Jones and the Holden Caufield I remember. A misfit boy finds his way through some badly dealt life-cards and through the torture chamber of the high school years.
As the father of several sons who have already run this gauntlet (and two more just beginning their journey), this book is a good reminder of how difficult these years can be.
It has been many,many years since I read Catcher In The Rye, but there seem to be many similarities between Harbinger Jones and the Holden Caufield I remember. A misfit boy finds his way through some badly dealt life-cards and through the torture chamber of the high school years.
As the father of several sons who have already run this gauntlet (and two more just beginning their journey), this book is a good reminder of how difficult these years can be.
April 3, 2016
3.5/5
I really enjoyed this book, but I had some problems with the plot. I felt like sometimes it was rushed and sometimes it was really slow. I really did not know how to rate this book.
xoxo,
Bebe
I really enjoyed this book, but I had some problems with the plot. I felt like sometimes it was rushed and sometimes it was really slow. I really did not know how to rate this book.
xoxo,
Bebe
January 29, 2014
Liked it! Someone please buy the film rights, it will rock so much harder with actual sight and sound. Good story, strong debut. Looking forward to more from this author.
March 24, 2017
"The Scar Boys" is the name of a teenage band who goes through many challenges in a coming of age story. The main character was nearly struck by lightning at a young age and has the scars to show for it. I liked that the main character is stuck as almost a sycophant of his so called best friend all the way through the story until he finally breaks free from his clutches and takes control of the band and his own life.
November 15, 2015
"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 me back to that time of being in a van on my very first tour." Peter Buck of R.E.M
To be completely honest, how many times do you see an old school rocker give a compliment to a Y.A novel? Not many, as far as I'm concerned. I also happen to be biased I am a huge fan of R.E.M.
I was that girl in seventh grade who had nothing else better to do than to listen to R.E.M religiously (rather than listen to what all the other girls were in my class: Good Charlotte? Do people even still listen to them, though I guess some could say the same for R.E.M) and play my cousin's old red Peavey that he gave me for Christmas a few years prior.
I learned every single R.E.M song I could, followed by The Beatles, and Eric Clapton (among others). During a family trip to New York City, my dad took me to Sam Ash where I fell in love with a used Gibson Les Paul that I still adore and play till this day. It's my baby. I wrote emo lyrics (who doesn't write emo anything in middle school?), and I loved my guitar lessons with my awesome instructor who every Friday afternoon made my weeks better. School used to make me happy, but music during this time in my life was really the only thing that kept me going. I never started a band, but a thirteen year old me always dreamed of finding another girl to play the guitar and to become the next Heart.
How does that story relate to this book? In the wise words of Yoda, everything.
This book is about the power of music, friendship, and, above all else, realizing when you're wrong about everything. When you pity yourself when you shouldn't be pitied. You see I pitied myself in middle school, and I didn't need to pity myself. I had a great family, who cared for me. I was loved, and the few friends I did have were great. I had things going on that I needed to figure out, and I did get them figured out in time. This book takes the creation of a band as a metaphor for life's ups and downs. Not a new concept, but the execution is what is important here.
This book is not the most perfect book in the world, and does have its problems. Those problems are forced diction (the SAT word comments, though I do appreciate some challenges to the readers), Richie's character development is not as strong as others, and how some scenarios seem a bit almost too unbelievable (bullying and weather). Those problems aside, this book rocks.
It has a female character who plays the bass. (Seriously female bassists rock, you only have to look to Kim Deal from The Pixies). There are (at least to me) shout outs to other rockers, like the prolonged stay in Atlanta (where R.E.M was first created since it was the home of Michael Stipe, the lead singer).
The pacing is quick, and nothing seems like it lags for a moment. The action starts right from the get go. The storytelling is interesting by setting it up to be an essay for a college application. Though two hundred and fifty words is quite small. I remember it being around five hundred, but the story takes place in the later 1970's into the early 1980's.
I appreciated all the pop culture references, besides the music because of course that's going to be in there. From Star Wars to Douglas Adams. Sometimes pop culture references are forced and no not help the story along, here they play well with the character of a teenage guy. They were well written scenes, and my favorite line is still about Dr. Kenny being Harry's Obi-Wan Kenobi. Seriously, everyone in their lives needs an Obi-Wan Kenobi figure: a mentor, a teacher, a person to show you the way.
The characters were all flawed, though Richie could have been a bit more developed. I really felt for the characters, and what I liked most was that no one was perfect. There are no Mary Sues or Gary Stus around here.
What I appreciated most is that it took me back to the rocker in me, where I fell in love with what music means to me. How my friends are important, and how we bond over music. We might not be in a band, but the shared belief in something greater in ourselves through music is still there. This book needs to be read. GO READ IT NOW!
It might not be a book for everyone, especially if you are not into rock music. However, there are still enough things in here that shouldn't matter.
To be completely honest, how many times do you see an old school rocker give a compliment to a Y.A novel? Not many, as far as I'm concerned. I also happen to be biased I am a huge fan of R.E.M.
I was that girl in seventh grade who had nothing else better to do than to listen to R.E.M religiously (rather than listen to what all the other girls were in my class: Good Charlotte? Do people even still listen to them, though I guess some could say the same for R.E.M) and play my cousin's old red Peavey that he gave me for Christmas a few years prior.
I learned every single R.E.M song I could, followed by The Beatles, and Eric Clapton (among others). During a family trip to New York City, my dad took me to Sam Ash where I fell in love with a used Gibson Les Paul that I still adore and play till this day. It's my baby. I wrote emo lyrics (who doesn't write emo anything in middle school?), and I loved my guitar lessons with my awesome instructor who every Friday afternoon made my weeks better. School used to make me happy, but music during this time in my life was really the only thing that kept me going. I never started a band, but a thirteen year old me always dreamed of finding another girl to play the guitar and to become the next Heart.
How does that story relate to this book? In the wise words of Yoda, everything.
This book is about the power of music, friendship, and, above all else, realizing when you're wrong about everything. When you pity yourself when you shouldn't be pitied. You see I pitied myself in middle school, and I didn't need to pity myself. I had a great family, who cared for me. I was loved, and the few friends I did have were great. I had things going on that I needed to figure out, and I did get them figured out in time. This book takes the creation of a band as a metaphor for life's ups and downs. Not a new concept, but the execution is what is important here.
This book is not the most perfect book in the world, and does have its problems. Those problems are forced diction (the SAT word comments, though I do appreciate some challenges to the readers), Richie's character development is not as strong as others, and how some scenarios seem a bit almost too unbelievable (bullying and weather). Those problems aside, this book rocks.
It has a female character who plays the bass. (Seriously female bassists rock, you only have to look to Kim Deal from The Pixies). There are (at least to me) shout outs to other rockers, like the prolonged stay in Atlanta (where R.E.M was first created since it was the home of Michael Stipe, the lead singer).
The pacing is quick, and nothing seems like it lags for a moment. The action starts right from the get go. The storytelling is interesting by setting it up to be an essay for a college application. Though two hundred and fifty words is quite small. I remember it being around five hundred, but the story takes place in the later 1970's into the early 1980's.
I appreciated all the pop culture references, besides the music because of course that's going to be in there. From Star Wars to Douglas Adams. Sometimes pop culture references are forced and no not help the story along, here they play well with the character of a teenage guy. They were well written scenes, and my favorite line is still about Dr. Kenny being Harry's Obi-Wan Kenobi. Seriously, everyone in their lives needs an Obi-Wan Kenobi figure: a mentor, a teacher, a person to show you the way.
The characters were all flawed, though Richie could have been a bit more developed. I really felt for the characters, and what I liked most was that no one was perfect. There are no Mary Sues or Gary Stus around here.
What I appreciated most is that it took me back to the rocker in me, where I fell in love with what music means to me. How my friends are important, and how we bond over music. We might not be in a band, but the shared belief in something greater in ourselves through music is still there. This book needs to be read. GO READ IT NOW!
It might not be a book for everyone, especially if you are not into rock music. However, there are still enough things in here that shouldn't matter.
December 31, 2013
I decided to read this one because it was available on Netgalley and it had my attention at severely burned teenager. I am a sucker for things like that, so I don't think I even bothered to read more than that.
But my journey with Harry, the main character ended up being so much more than that. Sure, he is scarred, his face and neck, and yes, he has to deal with a lot of bullying and pain. Also, there is the medical aspect of it which I eat up as well. But I got to see Harry evolve into loving who he is, no matter what he looks like on the outside, I got to see him form friendships with those who see past the deformity and to who he is. I got to see the unfailing support from his mother, and the difficulties his dad had with him, but that at the end of the day, he was there for him in the ways his dad was able. I got to watch Harry fall in love with music, and find his outlet and way to shine. I saw him learn to trust others, and the unbalaced, imperfect but true friendship with Johnny.
At first, I had an issue with the essay format, but it quickly evolved into more of a narrative, and I was only slightly reminded when he addressed the nameless administrative, and yes, that gives you an idea of his voice and humor, which brought lighter moments when things got too serious.
The events of the book are well paced, and there is either something going on with the band, interpersonal connection and friendship, or Harry's introspective journey to figuring out who he is below the scars, and accepting who he is fully, which means scars, music, humor, friendships, family and all.
This is a no holds barred book though, it gets pretty gritty with his medical history, and his thoughts. It isn't all uplifting and positive messages, its sad, hard, and sometimes Harry is downright angry or making stupid decisions, but wouldn't you face that with a realistic teenager anyways?
Also, his friendship with Johnny. Though I adored Johnny for taking Harry under his wing, and seeing past his scars, there are issues. Johnny is pretty controlling and manipulative, and Harry goes along with it all too often. I really appreciated when Harry finally stood up for himself, and am glad the friendship survived that, or it would have been too sad. But I think that this happens all too often in the real world and no one talks about it, so I am glad to see it explored.
The ending is good, and I like the message, and how Harry comes to accept that his life will be hard, but it is worth it. Life is worth it, and music can heal and build bridges, but so can family and friends.
Bottom Line: Gritty and emotional contemporary about love of music, and learning to accept yourself from a scarred teenage boy.
But my journey with Harry, the main character ended up being so much more than that. Sure, he is scarred, his face and neck, and yes, he has to deal with a lot of bullying and pain. Also, there is the medical aspect of it which I eat up as well. But I got to see Harry evolve into loving who he is, no matter what he looks like on the outside, I got to see him form friendships with those who see past the deformity and to who he is. I got to see the unfailing support from his mother, and the difficulties his dad had with him, but that at the end of the day, he was there for him in the ways his dad was able. I got to watch Harry fall in love with music, and find his outlet and way to shine. I saw him learn to trust others, and the unbalaced, imperfect but true friendship with Johnny.
At first, I had an issue with the essay format, but it quickly evolved into more of a narrative, and I was only slightly reminded when he addressed the nameless administrative, and yes, that gives you an idea of his voice and humor, which brought lighter moments when things got too serious.
The events of the book are well paced, and there is either something going on with the band, interpersonal connection and friendship, or Harry's introspective journey to figuring out who he is below the scars, and accepting who he is fully, which means scars, music, humor, friendships, family and all.
This is a no holds barred book though, it gets pretty gritty with his medical history, and his thoughts. It isn't all uplifting and positive messages, its sad, hard, and sometimes Harry is downright angry or making stupid decisions, but wouldn't you face that with a realistic teenager anyways?
Also, his friendship with Johnny. Though I adored Johnny for taking Harry under his wing, and seeing past his scars, there are issues. Johnny is pretty controlling and manipulative, and Harry goes along with it all too often. I really appreciated when Harry finally stood up for himself, and am glad the friendship survived that, or it would have been too sad. But I think that this happens all too often in the real world and no one talks about it, so I am glad to see it explored.
The ending is good, and I like the message, and how Harry comes to accept that his life will be hard, but it is worth it. Life is worth it, and music can heal and build bridges, but so can family and friends.
Bottom Line: Gritty and emotional contemporary about love of music, and learning to accept yourself from a scarred teenage boy.
December 8, 2013
Synopsis: Harbinger Robert Francis Jones (Harry, in short) was almost struck by lightning as a child. But almost is never good enough, and Harry was left with permanent scars that cover his face and shuns him from the world. Through his years of school, Harry has been tormented mercilessly for being an outcast, a freak. But then he meets Johnny, and everything changes when they discover music, and the power of friendship. Thus, out of the ashes, rises a group of young misfit musicians banded together in their search for fame, liberation, and love. They are The Scar Boys.
Review: A huge thank you to Egmont USA for providing me with an ARC copy of this wonderful book! I was very pleasantly surprised with The Scar Boys. I don't know what I was expecting, but I had a vision of a Lemonade Mouth-esque type of storyline (a group of misfits band together and rise to stardom) and The Scar Boys did have that vibe. But it was so much more than just a Disney Channel movie. The Scar Boys held so much passion, wit and endless humor.
Characters: My heart went out to Harry, our main character, who was almost struck by lightning. I can't even begin to imagine not only the physical pain he suffered, but the emotional torment that was inflicted upon him by kids after the accident. Yet Harry didn't let the teasing and bullying become a part of who he was. He didn't turn bitter and crazed, and instead, stayed a kind and strong-willed young man. And in the end, Harry doesn't turn into a crazy confident and super macho man. But with time, he learns that the scars don't define who he is, his friends don't determine his future, and the lightning will never control his soul.
Writing: As a debut novelist, Len Vlaho's writing is flawless. He adds an undercurrent of sarcasm to the humor and wit that made this novel flow so well. It's sometimes hard for a reader to relate and connect to a book, but readers of The Scar Boys will be there for Harry's entire journey.
Plot/Storyline: I really enjoyed the storyline of The Scar Boys. It's fun and adventurous, like a ride on the wild side. There were no plot holes, which I was very appreciative of, and the book ended on a beautiful note.
Conclusion: Charismatic and witty, Len Vlaho's debut novel tells a tale of change and the way music heals our lives forever.
Review: A huge thank you to Egmont USA for providing me with an ARC copy of this wonderful book! I was very pleasantly surprised with The Scar Boys. I don't know what I was expecting, but I had a vision of a Lemonade Mouth-esque type of storyline (a group of misfits band together and rise to stardom) and The Scar Boys did have that vibe. But it was so much more than just a Disney Channel movie. The Scar Boys held so much passion, wit and endless humor.
Characters: My heart went out to Harry, our main character, who was almost struck by lightning. I can't even begin to imagine not only the physical pain he suffered, but the emotional torment that was inflicted upon him by kids after the accident. Yet Harry didn't let the teasing and bullying become a part of who he was. He didn't turn bitter and crazed, and instead, stayed a kind and strong-willed young man. And in the end, Harry doesn't turn into a crazy confident and super macho man. But with time, he learns that the scars don't define who he is, his friends don't determine his future, and the lightning will never control his soul.
Writing: As a debut novelist, Len Vlaho's writing is flawless. He adds an undercurrent of sarcasm to the humor and wit that made this novel flow so well. It's sometimes hard for a reader to relate and connect to a book, but readers of The Scar Boys will be there for Harry's entire journey.
Plot/Storyline: I really enjoyed the storyline of The Scar Boys. It's fun and adventurous, like a ride on the wild side. There were no plot holes, which I was very appreciative of, and the book ended on a beautiful note.
Conclusion: Charismatic and witty, Len Vlaho's debut novel tells a tale of change and the way music heals our lives forever.
May 27, 2014
I ended up skimming the end after getting to the annoyingly foreshadow-y van purchase. The format of the book really started to annoy me (too much retrospective foreshadowing, not enough depth-of-character), and I got the feeling that the author either didn't really remember what it was like to be a teenager, or didn't understand who the audience of this book would/should be. Older rock guys who lived through the 1980s music scene (like blurb-writing Peter Buck of R.E.M.) would like this. Current teenagers will have a hard time connecting with the dated cultural references.
Out-of-date cultural reference example:
Page 83: "He was Vinnie Barbarino and I was Horshack." ...yeah, okay, if my 33-year-old husband didn't catch that reference, there is no way one of my 17-year-old students would.
...And, yes, I understand that this book takes place in the 1980s, so all cultural references would need to make sense within that timeframe--I just don't know if the story is compelling enough to warrant the extra effort on the part of younger readers.
I will say, I did like the book up until the band solidified... Harry's reflections on his early life were more interesting than his involvement in the band. (I probably shouldn't say that).
I feel somewhat betrayed by all the rave reviews of this title. Am I missing something? During one of Harry's sad-sack semi-reflective (and obnoxiously forward-looking) ramblings, I even found myself thinking, "What is the point of this book?" Maybe if I had not expected to like it (Rock music! The 80s! An underdog story! These are all things I usually like, so WHY was I so bored?!), I wouldn't have been let down, and my review would be more positive. Ah, well. So it goes.
Also, as a last aside, if you intend your book to be read by teenage boys in 2014, perhaps it would have been wiser to not abbreviate the "Faceless Admissions Professional" to whom the whole book is addressed as "FAP." If you don't know why that might be an issue, ask a teenage boy (at your own peril).
Out-of-date cultural reference example:
Page 83: "He was Vinnie Barbarino and I was Horshack." ...yeah, okay, if my 33-year-old husband didn't catch that reference, there is no way one of my 17-year-old students would.
...And, yes, I understand that this book takes place in the 1980s, so all cultural references would need to make sense within that timeframe--I just don't know if the story is compelling enough to warrant the extra effort on the part of younger readers.
I will say, I did like the book up until the band solidified... Harry's reflections on his early life were more interesting than his involvement in the band. (I probably shouldn't say that).
I feel somewhat betrayed by all the rave reviews of this title. Am I missing something? During one of Harry's sad-sack semi-reflective (and obnoxiously forward-looking) ramblings, I even found myself thinking, "What is the point of this book?" Maybe if I had not expected to like it (Rock music! The 80s! An underdog story! These are all things I usually like, so WHY was I so bored?!), I wouldn't have been let down, and my review would be more positive. Ah, well. So it goes.
Also, as a last aside, if you intend your book to be read by teenage boys in 2014, perhaps it would have been wiser to not abbreviate the "Faceless Admissions Professional" to whom the whole book is addressed as "FAP." If you don't know why that might be an issue, ask a teenage boy (at your own peril).
July 16, 2014
Good friends are hard to come by. Friends that stand by you, defend you and support you through the highs and lows of adolescence are gems. Harry knows this best as he has been left with scars that have made making friends impossible. Until Johnny comes into his life. Johnny is the opposite of Harry in every way, yet the two become close friends.
When Harry is rejected by a girl, Johnny's solution is to start a band. The band, The Scar Boys, becomes Harry's connection to his emotions and his ability to express himself in front of others. The journey takes the boys through high school and to the cusp of adulthood. They create an opportunity to tour the states for themselves and as the band sets out on the road, Harry and Johnny learn about loyalty, dignity and testing the bounds of friendship.
This is a realistic look at how friends can help and hurt. It is also a look at how music has the power to transcend and uplift and carry people in ways that other artistic mediums can not. Music binds people together and creates anthems for generations. Harry creates his own anthem when he finally accepts himself and sees his real self.
When Harry is rejected by a girl, Johnny's solution is to start a band. The band, The Scar Boys, becomes Harry's connection to his emotions and his ability to express himself in front of others. The journey takes the boys through high school and to the cusp of adulthood. They create an opportunity to tour the states for themselves and as the band sets out on the road, Harry and Johnny learn about loyalty, dignity and testing the bounds of friendship.
This is a realistic look at how friends can help and hurt. It is also a look at how music has the power to transcend and uplift and carry people in ways that other artistic mediums can not. Music binds people together and creates anthems for generations. Harry creates his own anthem when he finally accepts himself and sees his real self.
December 4, 2013
I was itching to get my hands on this book as soon as I saw it's synopsis on Edelweiss and I wasn't disappointed. Because hey, books and music are my thing and The Scar Boys just happens to wrap it up in one awesome and well-written package. You know the phrase that goes "Music saves lives"? It sounds cheesy and clichéd but it's true.. and Harbinger Jones' story is a testament to that.
Highly recommended for:
- People who are in a band.
- People who love bands.
- People who love music, period.
- People who are scarred (both literally and figuratively).
In short - just about everyone. Read it!
Highly recommended for:
- People who are in a band.
- People who love bands.
- People who love music, period.
- People who are scarred (both literally and figuratively).
In short - just about everyone. Read it!
July 6, 2018
3.5/5 stars
This was a good, thoroughly-enjoyable, quick novel. I breezed through it in two days and thought it was great fun to read.
This little novel here feels very much like it fits a niche audience of people with experience or interest in starting a garage rock band. I found Harry’s story to be entertaining and enjoyed reading his journeys as the guitar player in a makeshift rock band with friends. Will this book leave a lasting impression on me? No. But was it entertaining to read? Sure!
Although I didn’t feel spectacularly moved by the book, I enjoyed it and felt like this gave solid insight on the life of touring and building a band, while also trying to sprinkle some greater life lessons in on the side.
Overall, nice story and well written. Good narrator’s voice and interesting plot. Regardless, I just don’t feel a strong inclination or love for the book other than a quick breeze-through for fun.
This was a good, thoroughly-enjoyable, quick novel. I breezed through it in two days and thought it was great fun to read.
This little novel here feels very much like it fits a niche audience of people with experience or interest in starting a garage rock band. I found Harry’s story to be entertaining and enjoyed reading his journeys as the guitar player in a makeshift rock band with friends. Will this book leave a lasting impression on me? No. But was it entertaining to read? Sure!
Although I didn’t feel spectacularly moved by the book, I enjoyed it and felt like this gave solid insight on the life of touring and building a band, while also trying to sprinkle some greater life lessons in on the side.
Overall, nice story and well written. Good narrator’s voice and interesting plot. Regardless, I just don’t feel a strong inclination or love for the book other than a quick breeze-through for fun.
September 6, 2018
The Scar boys is written as Harry writing an essay to a college. I like that because I think it is unique and just cool in general. I also like that it is told in first person because then you get an idea of what it's like for someone like him. Something that I wish the author had done is, give more time in each city they tour just to know what it's like more and what they do instead of leaving right away. It also would have been interesting if the author wrote about each session Harry had with Dr. Kenny. I'd recommend this to anyone really, but I feel like that someone who considers themselves an outcast or punk/alternative might like it more. Even though people say don´t judge a book by it´s cover, but with this I did and I loved it. The cover gives a rock feel and the beginning was intriguing and made me want to read more. This book reminds me of Wonder because they both deal with a face deformity. They are also both the outcasts and told from their point of view. So, if you have read this book or read Wonder I would recommend the other to you. Overall, I thought it was very well written and I plan on reading the next in the series (Scar Girl).
September 20, 2017
It's been a long time since I've read a book in one sitting, but Scar Boys really did it for me. There was something very captivating about the starkness and honesty of the narrator. The story is compelling in every sense of the word, emotionally charged and contemplative without ever feeling dull. I loved the humor and continuous references to music and am planning to read his other books as well!
Read
March 24, 2017I think that the Scar Boys is a very good book that many teenagers can relate to. I would recommend reading it for most people in high school because more then likely you have dealt with one of the problems the main character is faced with. The ending is pretty good and I don't want to spoil so I would suggest you read it yourself.
April 22, 2018
This book was great. A really interesting plot that not a lot of other books have. I really liked how complex the characters were how none of them were really good or bad. The story was also full of twists I did not see a lot coming. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a coming of age novel or realistic fiction.
January 5, 2018
Good book for any budding muscian. Loved the music throwbacks!!
June 15, 2017
Where to start on this book...oh right. MUSIC. Lots of punk rock music. It is great. Particularly if you play guitar. Ten out of ten. I wanted to start a rock band after reading this, but then I remembered Rap now dominates music and I got really sad. Besides that, the struggle of the protagonist is truly very powerful in his attempts to deal with the immense social struggle of his disfigurement. The dialogue is done so damn well and the tension between characters is palpable. I loved this book and everything about it, and you should too.
February 19, 2014
3.5 stars.
Review originally posted on Rather Be Reading Blog
If you know my reading preferences, you know I love a story told from a male POV. I also love reading books set in another decade. The Scar Boys takes place over the 70s and 80s from the time that Harry is horrifically injured by a lightning bolt at 8 years old until the time he is in high school, on the road with his band (Scar Boys) and telling the entire story in a personal college essay.
The detail that struck me most about this book is Harry. He doesn’t mope, he doesn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself because he’s different from all the kids around him, he just is. It’s not to say he’s unaffected. Harry knows people look at him strangely, he’s aware that his dad doesn’t treat him as a father should, and it’s not until some assholes come up to him in school that things start to take a turn in his life.
Suddenly, he is best friends with Johnny. Hanging out all the time, jogging together, and even going to parties. Then totally on a whim (and as a way to get over a girl) Johnny suggests they start a band. Johnny and Harry totally immerse themselves in every kind of music available, find other members, write original songs and I was shocked to see — the band becomes pretty successful. Gigs at CGBG’s? Huge deal! So when the idea of touring for the summer materializes (an idea that Johnny takes credit for), a majority of the book becomes about prepping for the tour and all the little conflicts and successes that come along with it.
I loved how Harry gained confidence through music. Even though he was definitely experiencing growth, he still had a ways to go. I had no idea if he could trust Johnny because Johnny seemed like the kind of guy who only felt good when he put others down. He didn’t always play by the rules. This was conflicting for Harry because even though Johnny didn’t act like a good guy a lot of the time… he was the catalyst for Harry’s happiness. He helped Harry find music.
The Scar Boys has absolutely no airs about it. It’s simply the story of a kid coming into his own, facing unique challenges and putting his life into motion. Harry’s narration (especially his observations) reminded me a little of the Jean Shepard narration for A Christmas Story or Daniel Stern’s narration of The Wonder Years. He had already lived the story as he was telling it, but he was able to accurately express his insecurities, the choices he made, and how music became a lifesaver.
This was a really enjoyable debut! Most of all I loved how Harry’s journey to move forward after the lightning strike felt refreshing and new. It never felt forced or over-dramatized, and at points, it was almost like he didn’t realize he hadn’t dealt with the big picture yet and BOOM, there was more work to do.
Review originally posted on Rather Be Reading Blog
If you know my reading preferences, you know I love a story told from a male POV. I also love reading books set in another decade. The Scar Boys takes place over the 70s and 80s from the time that Harry is horrifically injured by a lightning bolt at 8 years old until the time he is in high school, on the road with his band (Scar Boys) and telling the entire story in a personal college essay.
The detail that struck me most about this book is Harry. He doesn’t mope, he doesn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself because he’s different from all the kids around him, he just is. It’s not to say he’s unaffected. Harry knows people look at him strangely, he’s aware that his dad doesn’t treat him as a father should, and it’s not until some assholes come up to him in school that things start to take a turn in his life.
Suddenly, he is best friends with Johnny. Hanging out all the time, jogging together, and even going to parties. Then totally on a whim (and as a way to get over a girl) Johnny suggests they start a band. Johnny and Harry totally immerse themselves in every kind of music available, find other members, write original songs and I was shocked to see — the band becomes pretty successful. Gigs at CGBG’s? Huge deal! So when the idea of touring for the summer materializes (an idea that Johnny takes credit for), a majority of the book becomes about prepping for the tour and all the little conflicts and successes that come along with it.
I loved how Harry gained confidence through music. Even though he was definitely experiencing growth, he still had a ways to go. I had no idea if he could trust Johnny because Johnny seemed like the kind of guy who only felt good when he put others down. He didn’t always play by the rules. This was conflicting for Harry because even though Johnny didn’t act like a good guy a lot of the time… he was the catalyst for Harry’s happiness. He helped Harry find music.
The Scar Boys has absolutely no airs about it. It’s simply the story of a kid coming into his own, facing unique challenges and putting his life into motion. Harry’s narration (especially his observations) reminded me a little of the Jean Shepard narration for A Christmas Story or Daniel Stern’s narration of The Wonder Years. He had already lived the story as he was telling it, but he was able to accurately express his insecurities, the choices he made, and how music became a lifesaver.
This was a really enjoyable debut! Most of all I loved how Harry’s journey to move forward after the lightning strike felt refreshing and new. It never felt forced or over-dramatized, and at points, it was almost like he didn’t realize he hadn’t dealt with the big picture yet and BOOM, there was more work to do.
August 28, 2015
I’m completely dumbfounded. On Goodreads Scar Boys has a rating of only 3.77. (The way I read Goodreads ratings, a greater than 4.00 score is best, unless like 10,000 people have read and rated it and then a higher than 3.7 score is acceptable, because the curve is greater.) Scar Boys only has 1220 ratings, so in my head that is not a great score. I would hesitate to read the book, and I DID hesitate to read it. I was turned off.
Well, mud in my face! I must have a different copy of Scar Boys because what I read was actually pretty darn amazing. I’ve read better, of course, but this was definitely worth more than 3 stars. I think it’s worth 4.5 stars.
I can only imagine that people were looking for something… more profound? Or possibly more romantic? Scar Boys definitely wasn’t a romance story. I did think it was pretty profound, though. See, there were two stories going on here. First, there was the story of Harry and the Lightning. The first couple chapters were really hard to read, as a mother. The terror, the grief… wondering how the hell you would help your 8 year old through the horror of what happened. It was killer. So, you had the story of Harry and the years of learning how to feel alive again, and how he learns to cope with life covered in scars. Maybe it was this story that people were disappointed with? Harry was depressing, but then he was tied to a tree that caught fire. That’s pretty brutal. I can understand that. I actually liked Harry, and I really liked the relationships that Harry had even before meeting Johnny. I liked Harry and Dr. Kenny. I didn’t find this part of the story disappointing, but it definitely wasn’t what made me read Scar Boys in a day and wonder why I got something deeper out of this book than others.
For me, the best part of the book was the complicated friendship between Harry and Johnny. We got this entire story from Harry’s perspective, of course. It’s his essay. He has all these antagonistic feelings for his best friend. We read all these situations and times where Johnny is a dick… but what would happen if we got to read Johnny’s essay? How easy would it be to go through middle school, high school, and longer, with a friend who is emotionally unstable. At the end Harry questions how good of a friend he was to Johnny. That’s profound. The truth is that everyone else isn’t always the asshole, sometimes we are too. It’s what comes after those moments that’s important.
So I guess, it’s obvious. I liked this book. I liked it a heck of a lot and I wish I had read it a long time ago so I could have argued the reasons why more people should give it a chance. I also wouldn’t mind a Scar Boys CD. So there.
If you liked this review, stop by and check us out at Badass Book Reviews!
Well, mud in my face! I must have a different copy of Scar Boys because what I read was actually pretty darn amazing. I’ve read better, of course, but this was definitely worth more than 3 stars. I think it’s worth 4.5 stars.
I can only imagine that people were looking for something… more profound? Or possibly more romantic? Scar Boys definitely wasn’t a romance story. I did think it was pretty profound, though. See, there were two stories going on here. First, there was the story of Harry and the Lightning. The first couple chapters were really hard to read, as a mother. The terror, the grief… wondering how the hell you would help your 8 year old through the horror of what happened. It was killer. So, you had the story of Harry and the years of learning how to feel alive again, and how he learns to cope with life covered in scars. Maybe it was this story that people were disappointed with? Harry was depressing, but then he was tied to a tree that caught fire. That’s pretty brutal. I can understand that. I actually liked Harry, and I really liked the relationships that Harry had even before meeting Johnny. I liked Harry and Dr. Kenny. I didn’t find this part of the story disappointing, but it definitely wasn’t what made me read Scar Boys in a day and wonder why I got something deeper out of this book than others.
For me, the best part of the book was the complicated friendship between Harry and Johnny. We got this entire story from Harry’s perspective, of course. It’s his essay. He has all these antagonistic feelings for his best friend. We read all these situations and times where Johnny is a dick… but what would happen if we got to read Johnny’s essay? How easy would it be to go through middle school, high school, and longer, with a friend who is emotionally unstable. At the end Harry questions how good of a friend he was to Johnny. That’s profound. The truth is that everyone else isn’t always the asshole, sometimes we are too. It’s what comes after those moments that’s important.
So I guess, it’s obvious. I liked this book. I liked it a heck of a lot and I wish I had read it a long time ago so I could have argued the reasons why more people should give it a chance. I also wouldn’t mind a Scar Boys CD. So there.
If you liked this review, stop by and check us out at Badass Book Reviews!
January 16, 2014
It is impossible to not fall in love with the main character, Harry, in The Scar Boys.
Harry was burned and horribly disfigured when he was eight years old. He was tied to a tree by some neighborhood boys during a violent thunderstorm. The tree was struck by lightening, and that's how Harry was burned.
He has spent his entire life getting medical treatment, and also psychological help. He has learned some mechanisms for coping, but his life is lonely, and of course he is the victim of bullying.
Enter Johnny. Johnny takes a liking to Harry, and they become fast friends. Harry is so desperate to have a friend, that he becomes somewhat subservient to Johnny. When Johnny decides they are going to start a band, Harry is on board. Harry even takes guitar lessons, and it turns out that the band becomes Harry's savior.
The Scar Boys (the name of the band) become somewhat successful locally, and eventually they decide to go on tour over the summer, before Johnny enters college in the fall. The road trip turns out to be more than just the band playing gigs, it changes everyone's life.
The characters are special. Besides Johnny and Harry, there's Cheyenne, the only female member of the band, and of course there's a romantic sub-plot. The plot is interesting enough to keep the pages turning, even though this is mostly a story of Harry's growth.
The Scar Boys is supposedly Harry's 250 word college application essay that blossoms into this story. He does address the application committee once in a while, but this really was a non-issue for me. I pretty much forgot it was an essay.
I love that the chapter titles were each song titles. Harry provides the writer and performer of each song, and I could pretty much hum the tune to almost all of them.
The Scar Boys is an entertaining coming-of-age story about a very special boy and how music changed his life. It's very short, so you can recommend it to your reluctant readers, your underdogs, and your music lovers. I know I will.
Harry was burned and horribly disfigured when he was eight years old. He was tied to a tree by some neighborhood boys during a violent thunderstorm. The tree was struck by lightening, and that's how Harry was burned.
He has spent his entire life getting medical treatment, and also psychological help. He has learned some mechanisms for coping, but his life is lonely, and of course he is the victim of bullying.
Enter Johnny. Johnny takes a liking to Harry, and they become fast friends. Harry is so desperate to have a friend, that he becomes somewhat subservient to Johnny. When Johnny decides they are going to start a band, Harry is on board. Harry even takes guitar lessons, and it turns out that the band becomes Harry's savior.
The Scar Boys (the name of the band) become somewhat successful locally, and eventually they decide to go on tour over the summer, before Johnny enters college in the fall. The road trip turns out to be more than just the band playing gigs, it changes everyone's life.
The characters are special. Besides Johnny and Harry, there's Cheyenne, the only female member of the band, and of course there's a romantic sub-plot. The plot is interesting enough to keep the pages turning, even though this is mostly a story of Harry's growth.
The Scar Boys is supposedly Harry's 250 word college application essay that blossoms into this story. He does address the application committee once in a while, but this really was a non-issue for me. I pretty much forgot it was an essay.
I love that the chapter titles were each song titles. Harry provides the writer and performer of each song, and I could pretty much hum the tune to almost all of them.
The Scar Boys is an entertaining coming-of-age story about a very special boy and how music changed his life. It's very short, so you can recommend it to your reluctant readers, your underdogs, and your music lovers. I know I will.
October 8, 2016
Camden Berry
E202
Ms Nagel
This quarter I read The scar boy by Len Vlahos. This book is about a boy named Harry Jones. Harry is deformed due to a childhood tragedy. Hairy was tied to a tree in a storm as a kid by older bullies. The tree he was tied to was struck by lightning and was severely burned on his head, face, chest, and neck. This whole book is the life story of Harry Jones and his struggle with his appearance.
I really liked this book i couldn't put it don't I needed to see what happened to on that next page. I really loved how the author made Harry get bullied. I know that sounds strange but It really helped me sympathise for the character which made me want to keep reading. I also really liked how the Author created Johnny the popular kid. Johnny is Harry's own friend and doesn't care how he looks. Johnny even made Harry feel normal for once in his life by making a band and Harry oust him self In this band. Although this book has some fantastic parts to it I felt it was a bit short. They rushed through much of Harry's school life and the creating of the band but the Author went too slow when explaining Harry's burns. I really loved the purpose of writing this book. I believe that this book was written to show people that no matter how people look they are the same and any other person on the inside.
Although this book has its flaws I would give it ⅘ stars. I rate it that way because I really enjoyed the message to the story and how it feels like this is possibly a real person's life. I feel like this book is good for all teenage readers. There are a few swear words but other than that it is a very good read for all ages.
E202
Ms Nagel
This quarter I read The scar boy by Len Vlahos. This book is about a boy named Harry Jones. Harry is deformed due to a childhood tragedy. Hairy was tied to a tree in a storm as a kid by older bullies. The tree he was tied to was struck by lightning and was severely burned on his head, face, chest, and neck. This whole book is the life story of Harry Jones and his struggle with his appearance.
I really liked this book i couldn't put it don't I needed to see what happened to on that next page. I really loved how the author made Harry get bullied. I know that sounds strange but It really helped me sympathise for the character which made me want to keep reading. I also really liked how the Author created Johnny the popular kid. Johnny is Harry's own friend and doesn't care how he looks. Johnny even made Harry feel normal for once in his life by making a band and Harry oust him self In this band. Although this book has some fantastic parts to it I felt it was a bit short. They rushed through much of Harry's school life and the creating of the band but the Author went too slow when explaining Harry's burns. I really loved the purpose of writing this book. I believe that this book was written to show people that no matter how people look they are the same and any other person on the inside.
Although this book has its flaws I would give it ⅘ stars. I rate it that way because I really enjoyed the message to the story and how it feels like this is possibly a real person's life. I feel like this book is good for all teenage readers. There are a few swear words but other than that it is a very good read for all ages.
November 12, 2015
I totally jammed through this book. (Which is absolutely the right words to express how I interacted with it).
Harry (Harbinger) had a rough time growing up. Shy and smaller in his early years, he finds himself at the receiving end of some bullying that turns extra bad due to an unfortunately timed natural event. And let's just say, he's left with scars.
But life goes on. And while past events have made him guarded and cynical, Harry stumbles into a friendship. And that friendship stumbles into music. And stumbling along that musical journey, he discovers hope.
I've read reviews that say that this book is too dark. I say that this book is exactly as dark as it needs to be. Harry has taken a whole lot of lumps in his short life and yes, that's going to create some serious issues and distrust. His scars have allowed him to see a different side of humanity - and he's pretty frank about it. Young adults don't need to be pandered to - and this book doesn't do that.
You know what else this book gets right? The power of music. The mayhem of punk rock. The joy of creation. The thrill of letting go. The chaos of youth and self-discovery in a landscape (filled with landmines) of friendship. (Is that even a sentence? I'm not going back).
My only criticism, if there is one, is that the voice sounds a little *too* adult/nostalgic for the premise of a college application essay. But that was pretty easy to overlook. The snark and the honest self-deprecation more than made up for that minor flaw.
Harry (Harbinger) had a rough time growing up. Shy and smaller in his early years, he finds himself at the receiving end of some bullying that turns extra bad due to an unfortunately timed natural event. And let's just say, he's left with scars.
But life goes on. And while past events have made him guarded and cynical, Harry stumbles into a friendship. And that friendship stumbles into music. And stumbling along that musical journey, he discovers hope.
I've read reviews that say that this book is too dark. I say that this book is exactly as dark as it needs to be. Harry has taken a whole lot of lumps in his short life and yes, that's going to create some serious issues and distrust. His scars have allowed him to see a different side of humanity - and he's pretty frank about it. Young adults don't need to be pandered to - and this book doesn't do that.
You know what else this book gets right? The power of music. The mayhem of punk rock. The joy of creation. The thrill of letting go. The chaos of youth and self-discovery in a landscape (filled with landmines) of friendship. (Is that even a sentence? I'm not going back).
My only criticism, if there is one, is that the voice sounds a little *too* adult/nostalgic for the premise of a college application essay. But that was pretty easy to overlook. The snark and the honest self-deprecation more than made up for that minor flaw.
Read
January 18, 2015The Scar Boys.
I find myself fumbling for words, struggling to put my thoughts together.
But I'll try.
Through a super-long college essay - from 250 words to the length of a novel, readers will discover the life-changing event that altered Harry's life FOREVER! Thanks to some horrible, horrible bullies.
This one act changes Harry's life forever, and it doesn't get better until he becomes a member of a band, The Scar Boys, aptly named because of all the scars he carries.
Throughout the novel, readers receive the narrative of the most impactful moments that shaped Harry's psyche. Some will leave you gasping, cringing, hurting. Others will make you smile, cheer for Harry.
This novel has impact. It will leave you shaking your head, cheering, hoping for a broken soul and a broken body to heal. It leaves you thinking about people who have walked in shoes similar to Harry's, whatever their physical challenges. It makes you think about the healing power of music, the importance of finding your passion, the basic need that everyone has to be loved, cherished, and how those that should love us, sometimes don't in the way that's needed.
The Scar Boys will leave a long-lasting imprint on my mind and in my heart. I have no doubt, I'll be thinking about these characters and recommending this novel to others.
Bravo to Len Vlahos!
I find myself fumbling for words, struggling to put my thoughts together.
But I'll try.
Through a super-long college essay - from 250 words to the length of a novel, readers will discover the life-changing event that altered Harry's life FOREVER! Thanks to some horrible, horrible bullies.
This one act changes Harry's life forever, and it doesn't get better until he becomes a member of a band, The Scar Boys, aptly named because of all the scars he carries.
Throughout the novel, readers receive the narrative of the most impactful moments that shaped Harry's psyche. Some will leave you gasping, cringing, hurting. Others will make you smile, cheer for Harry.
This novel has impact. It will leave you shaking your head, cheering, hoping for a broken soul and a broken body to heal. It leaves you thinking about people who have walked in shoes similar to Harry's, whatever their physical challenges. It makes you think about the healing power of music, the importance of finding your passion, the basic need that everyone has to be loved, cherished, and how those that should love us, sometimes don't in the way that's needed.
The Scar Boys will leave a long-lasting imprint on my mind and in my heart. I have no doubt, I'll be thinking about these characters and recommending this novel to others.
Bravo to Len Vlahos!
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