For parents seeking to discuss deep grief, the consequences of revenge, and finding unexpected connections, this intense story explores healing through empathy.
For a teen grappling with immense grief and rage after a tragedy, this book offers a raw look at the desire for revenge and the difficult path toward healing. The story follows Teddy, a smart teen whose sister is killed in a drive-by shooting. Consumed by anger, his own attempt at vengeance lands him in juvenile prison. As part of an innovative probation program, he must mentor a young foster child, an experience that unexpectedly forces him to confront his pain and reevaluate his mission. This is an intense, gritty novel for older teens (14+) that does not shy away from the harsh realities of gang violence, loss, and the justice system. It's a powerful choice for opening conversations about the cycle of violence, the meaning of justice, and finding hope after devastating loss.
The violent death of the protagonist's 14-year-old sister is the catalyst for the entire story.
Language
Moderate
Includes profanity and street slang appropriate to the characters and setting.
Mature ThemesModerate
The protagonist plots a murder for revenge, which is portrayed as an understandable, though flawed, response.
Sad ContentIntense
Deals heavily with grief, family trauma, gang violence, and flaws in the justice and foster systems.
ViolenceIntense
A central plot point is the drive-by shooting and murder of a child. Includes an attempted homicide.
Sensitive Topics
The death of a child sibling is handled directly, secularly, and with raw, unflinching emotional honesty. The book also provides a critical look at gang culture, the foster care system, and the realities of the juvenile justice system, which often presumes guilt. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, suggesting that healing is a long process but that human connection can break cycles of violence.
Ideal Reader
An older teen (14-18) who connects with gritty, realistic urban fiction. It’s perfect for a reader grappling with feelings of powerlessness, anger about injustice, or personal loss. It would also resonate with a teen who feels misunderstood or unfairly judged by adults and authority figures.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for the book's intensity. Key scenes to preview include the shooting itself, Teddy's violent revenge attempt, and his time in juvenile detention. The language and tone are authentic to the setting and can be harsh. A pre-reading conversation about the difference between justice and revenge could provide valuable context. A parent is concerned about their teen's cynicism or anger in response to violence in their community or the world. The parent may have heard their child express a desire for retribution or say that the system is broken, and they are looking for a story that validates those feelings while exploring a more constructive path forward.
Age Experience
A younger reader (14-15) will likely be most engaged by the revenge plot, the hacking elements, and the mystery of who killed Tina. An older reader (16-18) will be better equipped to analyze the complex social commentary on the justice and foster care systems, and the deep psychological journey Teddy undergoes from rage to empathy.
What Makes It Special
While many YA books tackle grief and violence, Homeboyz is unique in its focus on the male processing of trauma and its powerful depiction of mentorship as a two-way street to healing. The dynamic where the hardened protagonist is ultimately saved by his responsibility to a vulnerable child offers a compelling alternative to typical revenge narratives. The inclusion of Teddy's hacking skills also provides a modern and intelligent lens on the story.
Read plot summary
Seventeen-year-old Teddy Anderson, a skilled computer hacker, is devastated when his younger sister, Tina, is killed in a senseless drive-by shooting. His immediate, violent quest for revenge lands him in a juvenile prison. He is released early into an innovative probation program run by Officer Mariana Diaz, which requires him to mentor Micah, a 12-year-old foster kid who idolizes gang life. While outwardly complying, Teddy secretly uses his tech skills to hunt down his sister's killer. However, his growing bond with the vulnerable Micah forces Teddy to confront his own trauma and redefines his understanding of justice, family, and healing.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Teddy believes getting revenge is the only way to get justice for Tina. Officer Diaz and his father offer a different path. Do you think revenge can ever be a form of justice? Why or why not?
2
How does Teddy's relationship with Micah change him? What does Teddy learn from mentoring Micah that he couldn't have learned from anyone else?
3
At the beginning of the book, the justice system treats Teddy as if he is a hardened gangster. In what ways was the system unfair to him, and in what ways, if any, did it help him?
4
The story reveals that the person who killed Tina was not who Teddy expected. How did this final twist affect Teddy's plan for revenge and his understanding of the cycle of violence?
