Broken Pencils

by J.R Rice

Jonah Tarver, a troubled Oakland teenager grappling with his parents' troubled marriage, his own mental disorder, and the weight of his best friend's death, embarks on a desperate quest to find meaning in life. On his eighteenth birthday, coinciding with his Senior prom, Jonah, along with his girlfriend Taniesha, his best friend Trevon, and a group of peers, spirals into a night of reckless indulgence in drugs and alcohol in the vibrant city of San Francisco. As tensions escalate and emotions run high, Jonah finds himself thrust into a gripping twelve-hour journey through the dark underbelly of San Francisco's nightlife, forever altering his perception of the world. Will Jonah uncover the purpose he so desperately seeks, or will he discover that life, like broken pencils, may have no point?



-2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner
-2024 Readers Choice Book Awards Silver Winner for Best Adult Book
- 2024 International Book Award Finalist for Best African-American Fiction
-2024 Literary Global Gold Award Winner
-2024 Independent Author Award Finalist for Best African-American Fiction and Best Debut Fiction
-2024 Hawthorne Prize Finalist for Best Fiction
-2024 Speak Up Radio International Firebird Book Award 3rd Place Winner for Best African-American Fiction and Best New Fiction
-2023 Outstanding Creator Award 3rd Place Winner for Best African-American Literature


"J.R. Rice’s Broken Pencils is more than a story of a teenager’s life; it’s a reflection of how things from the past can unfold in a single day...At its core, the novel grapples with the theme of brokenness, portraying it not as a defect to be mended but as an intrinsic part of the human experience."

- Karen Almeida, Literary Titan

“Broken Pencils tackles a sensitive and difficult topic in a meaningful way that provides food for thought and allows one to become introspective about mental illness and the difficulties faced by those who live with it.”

— Jennie More, Readers Favorite

“Filled with youthful exuberance, raucous partying, vicious truths, and heartbreaking volatility, Broken Pencils is a novel that aims for poignancy, targeting an age group where many struggle to find meaning.”

— R.C. Gibson, IndiesToday

“Rice delves into the complex life and psyche of Jonah, a young Black man suffering from mental health issues and trauma following the death of his best friend.…A gripping coming of age story and a skilful exploration of grief, the human psyche and broken relationships.”

— Beth Thompson, Readers’ Choice Book Awards

“Rice weaves together moments of heartache, triumph, and introspection with such vividness that it feels like peering into real lives rather than fictional characters. This authenticity deepens the emotional impact felt by the reader and truly makes this book a must read.”

— Literary Global

"In this literary work, Rice boldly explores the profound impact of losing a loved one and how parents' constant fighting can disrupt their children's happiness...The book underscores the vital importance of seeking help to heal mentally and find inner peace, as carrying pain for too long can impede progress."

— Amanda Hanson, The US Review of Books

"Broken Pencils is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of human relationships, the enduring impact of family dynamics, and the redemptive power of friendship and self-discovery."

— Neena H. Brar, The Prairies Book Reviews

“Broken Pencils is a singular feat of narrative momentum. Dauntless insight and camera angle dance sharply producing a new geometry of storytelling.”

— Tongo Eisen-Martin, Poet laureate of San Francisco, California, activist, and author

“Broken Pencils pulls you down a complex river of identity, coming-of-age, mental illness, and issues of class and race in a way that taps into the universal experience of being human, all while couched in the skilled prose of a literary masterpiece.”

—M.M. Chouinard, USA Today bestselling author of The Dancing Girls

“J.R. Rice drives the reader headlong through the looking glass of Jonah Tarver’s soul — and oh what ride. It is both hypnotic and often hallucinatory, but ultimately a journey of devastating truth.”

— Andrew L. Roberts, Author of “Tears for Shulna”

“Compelling and vulnerable, Broken Pencils is a poetic peek inside what it means to feel surrounded and alone at the same time. It juxtaposes the safety and simplicity of childhood against the illusion of freedom that adulthood brings.”

— Angela Drew, Author of ElderBerry Wine

“In this visceral odyssey through a single night, the reader is enveloped in Jonah’s gut-wrenching journey toward clarity and acceptance…If there ever was a flawed hero to root for, it’s Rice’s modern-day Odysseus, Jonah.”

— Rosa del Duca, Author of Breaking Cadence

“The action of the book is full-throttle, but the story is also gripping because of Rice’s multi-layered storytelling. It’s r...

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2024

Reviews

[Bookcritic]

In Broken Pencils by J.R. Rice, 18-year-old Jonah is in for a whirlwind prom night when his emotions mount on top of drug use and alcohol. He has a personal recipe for disaster, and the ingredients are as follows: First, his best friend Keon suddenly died a few years ago, and prom night coincides with Jonah’s birthday and the anniversary of Keon’s death. Second, Jonah’s got depression and bipolar disorder. Third, he hasn’t been taking his medications. Fourth, his parents are getting a divorce and fight right before sending him off to prom. Fifth, his friends influence him with alcohol and drugs. Sixth, unfortunate events drive out incredible anger and violence in him that have very serious results. And eighth, well, let’s just say his dad letting him take his Mercedes wasn’t such a great idea. And let’s not forget the ninth ingredient—a trip to the strip club.

Though the focus is on the events that Jonah is a part of, J.R. Rice found time to weave in elements about class, race, and humanness in unexpected yet poignant ways. The words out of his character’s mouths have a way of sticking with you long after you’ve read the book. And though no very detailed descriptions are given about many of the characters, Rice has made them seem very real from the way they talk and the words they say. It’s all around just incredibly authentic-feeling dialogue.

Jonah’s tragic adventure is an extremely thought-provoking one. His story is the ultimate unbottling of pain. His friend’s death impacted him deeply, and he needs help, but he seems to believe himself beyond help. Jonah’s already struggling through life as it is, but on prom night, he drops to a point where he is completely devoid of hope.

Rice wrote the story in such a way that it’s hard to know if everything Jonah sees and hears is reality, as he battles with mental illness and a body full of drugs and alcohol. It’s clear he just wants to feel something, to find some kind of comfort. But after a sad visit to the strip club, it seems comfort doesn’t exist anymore. Jonah’s spiral happens so fast, and it begs the question: is it even possible that this fall could have been prevented?

This is an emotionally rough read. And as I flipped from page to page, many times all I could think was, “Jonah, no, no,” as he made terrible decisions one after the other. Broken Pencils is certainly creatively written and eye-opening. Though Jonah is technically still a teen, he’s a legal adult, and the choices he made could have easily happened years later instead of that night if he kept dwelling inside his hurt. All in all, this is a very serious book on an important topic and is perhaps best suited for adult readers.

[Book Nerdection · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our introduction to the Tarver family dynamic is executed with a smooth subtlety which I really appreciated. Jonah’s mother is referred to as ‘mama’ while his other parent, Judge Tarver, is simply ‘father’. The lack of warmth and familiarity from the choice of titles alone felt very purposeful. It doesn’t take us very long to find out the reasons behind this emotional distance. While it starts in the first chapter, this theme is fleshed out further into the story with one of the points being the arrival of the homeless man, Pater.

My interpretation of the significance of this scene comes from Jonah’s interest in the Monument of Analysis sculpture featuring the spliced likeness of Hermes and Dionysus. The reference to these symbols of classical history made me consider the origin of the name Pater, the Latin word for father. When Pater rambles on about his children to a very impatient Jonah, his character becomes somewhat of a parallel to Jonah’s own father. Jonah feels as though his father views him as an accessory, almost like a puzzle piece to slot in to complete a portrait image of a successful black family for the gain of social credit. This mirrors Pater’s use of his children to gain sympathy which in turn may lead to monetary gain. Pater also serves the purpose of broadening Jonah’s worldview. Considering the fact that untreated mental illness is rampant among the homeless in San Francisco, Jonah’s exchange with Pater allows him to shed some of the negative notions formed around the homeless. Through conversation, they connect through their shared kindred energy; even though it is not overtly mentioned that Pater suffers from any specific mental illness, we can extrapolate this information from his behavior. When Pater finally asks for $5 at the end of his tirade, Jonah lightly reflects on his own privilege. Mr Rice’s use of Pater as the vessel used to deliver this epiphany feels poetic. A lot of readers, myself included, cherish stories that are open to interpretations that may or may not have been intended on the writer’s path. It allows for a more personal bond to form between the book and the reader.

I could wax on about the symbolism behind the Hermes and Dionysus statue, but I’ll keep it brief by praising the author’s use of its presence as a herald of Jonah’s journey through the night being a reflection of the two Greek deities’ roles and patronages.

And Speaking of black families, other major themes in this book include identity expression and respectability politics as they pertain to race. Through a number of different means—Jonah’s aversion to the words ‘nigga’ and ‘boy’, the use of AAVE, and pop culture references that carry certain connotations—this story subverts the notion of the existence of black people as a monolith. Characters indulge in stereotypical behaviors before expressing their own unique interests that lie beyond the expectations tied to their race in the very next breath. I enjoyed reading a story that wasn’t centered solely around black struggle or excellence, but simply the struggles of a mentally ill boy going about his transformative misadventures. If I were to summarize the novel in an intentionally reductive way to provide a small bite for potential readers, I’d tout this book as Oakland’s response to The Catcher in the Rye. You can feel the soul of the city in the writing, while empathizing with the growing pains of the protagonist as well.

Reviewed By Chantal

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way JR Rice allows the reader to dive into the world and mind of a newly turned 18 year old young Black man in Oakland, grappling with his own coming of age, dealing with grief and mental health, and the rollercoaster ride of Prom night is absolutely riveting! Definitely left me wanting for the continuation that’s promised at the end!! I’m ready for the next part!!

[Jane Tactics · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Broken Pencils and I have to say—Jonah’s story really stayed with me. His struggles with grief, mental health, and searching for meaning felt so raw and honest. You captured that feeling of being lost in a way that really resonates, especially for young people trying to make sense of a messy world.

It’s the kind of book that could help a lot of readers feel seen and understood.
Thanks for writing such a great and outstanding story.

[Readers' Choice Book Awards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonah Tarver from a wealthy suburb of Oakland California is celebrating his eighteenth birthday on the same night of his high school prom. It is also the anniversary of his best friend’s death, who was tragically killed in a car accident four years previously. Still grieving the loss of his best friend, Jonah has received several years of therapy, but has recently stopped taking his medication. Struggling to cope, he has been caught shoplifting and truanting from school. His father, a Superior Court Judge, is a harsh disciplinarian and believes his son is dishonouring the family. While Jonah has led a relatively privileged life, he does not get the love or support he needs from his father. Jonah’s parents are on the brink of divorce, as Jonah strives to protect his little brother, Steven. His father agrees to loan him the use of his beloved Mercedes to drive his girlfriend, Taniesha, to the prom. But following a heated argument with his parents, his father withdraws the offer and Jonah takes the car without consent. During the prom, Taniesha dumps Jonah because he is unable to commit to their relationship. Fuelled by a cocktail of alcohol and illegal drugs, Jonah is involved in a serious, violent incident at the prom and flees the scene. He drives to San Francisco, where he visits an adult club, and his night goes from bad to worse. When he wakes up on a park bench the morning after, Jonah must face his father and the consequences of his actions.

Broken Pencils is a short, literary work of fiction, by J.R. Rice. This is a dark, gripping and thought-provoking tale, which explores how a single moment of recklessness can have far reaching consequences. Rice delves into the complex life and psyche of Jonah, a young Black man suffering from mental health issues and trauma following the death of his best friend. On the night of his eighteenth birthday and prom, the night takes a dramatic turn, following a violent incident in the school bathroom. Jonah finds himself in a precarious situation, as he attempts to navigate the San Francisco underworld. Readers will both empathise with, and loathe, this relatable, complex teenager.

A gripping coming of age story and a skilful exploration of grief, the human psyche and broken relationships.

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonah Tarver has issues. He’s about to turn eighteen, graduate high school, and he’s preparing for prom night. For many teens that would be something to look forward to, but Jonah isn’t like everyone else. In addition to being bipolar, he’s still processing the death of his best friend four years prior, trying to figure out if he’s actually in love with his girlfriend, and desperate to find meaning in his life. He’s also stopped taking his medication.

J.R. Rice’s “Broken Pencils” follows Jonah over the course of prom night, and shows the depths of his pain and inner turmoil. This story is brutally honest in its portrayal of mental health issues, and the confusion and angst of dealing with unresolved issues from the past and an uncertain future. Rice does an amazing job of capturing Jonah’s thoughts and feelings in a palatable way. The emotion on the pages is visceral and raw, and in many scenes, it can be difficult to read because it’s so real.

The characters in this story are brilliantly illustrated. It’s a fine balancing act to create characters who are real but don’t cross the line into stereotypes. Here, they are people you might run into on any city street. The dialogue is also fantastic. It’s how people actually speak, with all the cadences, slang, and candid topics you would expect from a group of high schoolers. There’s no pulling punches on these pages. Rice knows his characters and their stories, and he writes with confidence and no censorship.

While this book is categorized as Young Adult, some readers could be put off by the brutal honesty of Rice’s story. But don’t take that as a reason to pass on this book. In fact, I think that’s one of the main selling points. It’s a story of hard truths, of what it’s like to deal with mental issues, and I think it’s insightful and worthy of an attentive read.

I highly recommend “Broken Pencils,” and not just for a young adult audience. I think that everyone who reads this book will put it down with a heavy heart and a deeper understanding of what many people go through when grappling with bipolar disorder. J.R. Rice is a fantastic writer and I’m hoping to read more of his work.

[BookBelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title 'Broken Pencils' denotes, this fantastical tale takes us through various moments of life, in such a meaningful way. J. R. Rice has concocted authentic and strong themes into the finest reading. Each sentence and even picture used has its own complex reflections of society, human life, illusions, and imagination.

The life journey of Jonah colored with the rhythm of emotions and gripping incidents unveils those unpredictable uncertainties and realities of life. Rice's multi-layered storytelling speaks aloud about the unseen power of inner peace and mental health. Beautiful descriptions and detailing of each instance and character delve the readers in-depth into the Jonah's life.

The author has definitive intention in the whole scripting of the tale. Through the one-word title of each chapter, Rice describes the overall concept behind this rare work. The empathetic and emotional dialogues and scenarios stand as deep impressions in the reader's mind. Jonah's reflex coupled with his physical and mental reaction to each character are structured very effectively, giving us an illuminated idea about each character.

From many broken and hardest times in life, there awaits success and happiness at its end. The spirit of inspiration enlightens the wave of confidence within us. The title Broken Pencil is an idiomatic representation of a depressed person who comes across diverse circumstances by wearing a small smile on his face.

Teenagers struggle with their parents in understanding each other's points of thinking and feelings and the very many hardships that sprout out make this more intimate piece of work. Each character in it had their own specific importance in Jonah's life, wherein some of them persist like a strong pillar whereas some others have put Jonah into hardships.

Jonah loves his parents but the disappointment that his approach makes to his parents provokes him to walk away from his family. Thus at times, those strangers become his family and strength. All these are the real truths of human life in this society. As a social being, there will not come an instance when we will be completely deserted by the entire population around us, instead, there shall be at least one or two to hear our sorrows and stand as a solid support for the existence of our life.

The author has very effectively depicted various essential morals and messages that are to be put on to society using the mesmerizing magic of words. Rice has changed the overall narrow mindset of people about the importance of mental health. This visceral odyssey takes the readers to the world of fantasy.

Review By BookBelow.com

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Pencils by J.R. Rice delves into the turbulent life of Jonah Tarver, a teenager from Oakland facing the challenges of adolescence, family strife, and personal mental struggles. The story unfolds over a significant day in Jonah’s life, marked by key events: prom night, the eve of his birthday, and the anniversary of his best friend’s death. This convergence of milestones catapults him into a whirlwind of chaos and uncertainty.

The narrative paints a vivid picture of Jonah’s environment, where the constant arguments of his parents form a continuous, unsettling backdrop. Jonah strives to protect his younger brother from their family’s deteriorating dynamics. Compounding his distress is the strained relationship with his father and the perceived betrayal by his friend Trevon and girlfriend Taniesha. Prom night becomes a pivotal point as Jonah plunges into a world of drugs, alcohol, and reckless behavior, leading to unforeseen consequences and revelations, including a discovery about his father. J.R. Rice’s Broken Pencils is more than a story of a teenager’s life; it’s a reflection of how things from the past can unfold in a single day. This book is a poignant exploration of choice and consequence, distinguished by Rice’s skill in creating authentic, complex characters. These characters, each entangled in their own struggles, bring a rich, multifaceted perspective to the narrative. At its core, the novel grapples with the theme of brokenness, portraying it not as a defect to be mended but as an intrinsic part of the human experience. While it subtly addresses the experience of young black individuals, the book does not make race its focal point. Instead, an undercurrent of mental health issues weaves through the narrative, offering a layer for readers to uncover and interpret.

Rice offers an emotionally resonant, thoughtful, and philosophically charged narrative in Broken Pencils. It serves as a compelling reminder of the weight of our choices and their indelible impact on our lives and those around us.

[BooksCoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rice takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, redemption, and the enduring power of human connection through the eyes of his teen protagonist. Jonah Tarver, an angsty teen in Oakland, grapples with his parents’ failing marriage, his own mental health, and the death of his best friend. On the eve of his 18th birthday and Senior prom, Jonah embarks on a quest for meaning amidst the chaos of his life.

With his girlfriend Taniesha and best friend Trevon by his side, Jonah explores the wild world of San Francisco’s nightlife. But as tensions rise and emotions run high, will he find the answers he’s looking for or discover that life can be just as pointless as a broken pencil?

The narrative strikes a perfect balance between internal turmoil and external conflict, keeping readers invested in Jonah’s journey. At the heart of the narrative is Jonah’s struggle to make sense of his tumultuous family life, marked by his parents’ constant fights and the emotional turmoil that ensues. Rice skillfully portrays the impact of these conflicts on Jonah’s psyche, highlighting the profound effect of familial discord on one’s sense of self-worth and belonging.

The raw and introspective prose invites empathy and reflection, while also captivating readers with vivid imagery, poignant reflections, and authentic dialogue. Jonah’s bond with his friends, particularly Keon, Taniesha, and Trevon, serves as a lifeline in times of crisis, offering moments of joy, understanding, and shared experiences that illuminate the beauty of genuine connections. A poignant and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of human relationships, the enduring impact of family dynamics, and the redemptive power of friendship and self-discovery.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Birthdays aren’t always happy days.

Jonah’s character development was well done. He had a lot on his plate and good reasons for the sometimes dangerous choices he made on prom night. I appreciated the way the author took the time to explain why Jonah was struggling so much and where his life became so complicated after the death of his best friend among several other stressors. Reading those passages gave me a lot of sympathy for this character and made me hope he’d live happily ever after in the end.

There were times when I struggled to follow the plot due to how often Jonah talked about things that had happened to him days, months, or even years ago. He jumped from past to present and back again so often that it was a distraction for this reader even though I liked other aspects of the book like the characters. I would have happily chosen a higher rating if the storyline had been more linear.

The ending had some fantastic twists that I didn’t see coming but that helped to clear up some of my confusion about what happened earlier. I especially enjoyed the way it illuminated what assumptions Jonah had made about his life that were accurate verses which ones were influenced by his mental state that other people in his life saw in completely different ways. Yes, I know I’m being vague here, but I want other readers to have the chance to be surprised just like I was. What a treat it was to reach those last few pages and learn more about his family and how those closest to Jonah saw him instead of what he assumed they thought about him.

Broken Pencils was a thought provoking read.

[Jonathan Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a modern catcher in the rye with a lot more grit and less optimism. Jonah’s younger brother Steven did not play as crucial a role as Phoebe, and only had one important scene when he imagined him as the one he must survive for. Common to Salinger’s tome is the lesson to not worship your heroes, as the memory of them that lasts is often more meaningful than the people themselves.

Contrary to Holden, Jonah had no people pretending to be something they are not. Rather people trying to accept who they already are and the choices they have made to bring them to where they are today. “You did this” is the common refrain. Less a coming of age story than a resounding cry for help, from a boy who feels isolated and needs to be loved / needs to love, but does not love himself.

Catcher in the rye was wistful and beautiful to me. Broken pencils is well written and relatable, but a sad portrayal of humanity without being wistful. I appreciate how it’s left at the end with the reader up to decide Jonah’s fate - which is the theme of the book from the beginning: no matter what Jonah encounters next, going even Lower than he has in this one night as potentially facing manslaughter and the need to become the man of his house, will he finally take responsibility for his own life and actions?

[chelsea! · Rating 4 out of 5]

the author has said that this was his take on “catcher in the rye” but using stories from his & his friends’ lives, and that very much comes through. jonah was exactly like holden, reimagined as a black kid in the 21st century. author really captured the sense of loss & general uncertainty about life & growing up & relationships & finding out who you are so well. also, much like holden, jonah was an annoying idiot who kept wasting everything he was given, but who among us hasn’t been that idiot????