The Stone Boys — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
When Ben Brickman and Dave McConnell learn of each other's hidden sexual abuse trauma, they decide to confront their demons by abducting a dangerous high school bully. After their plan for revenge takes a shocking turn, the boys must grapple with good and evil and what it means to be a man.
Drawn in part from the author's personal experience as a sexual abuse survivor, The Stone Boys is a both a dramatic page-turner and a profoundly emotional read. Arriving as our society contends with a crisis of childhood sexual abuse, The Stone Boys is not only timely and courageous -- but the first of its kind.
Praise for THE STONE BOYS:
"Gripping . . . An example of gritty realism. Recommended for mature students."
--School Library Journal
"Gurian incorporates autobiographical elements into a story built not around easy answers but anguished inner arguments . . . of use for discussing the cycle of abuse."
--Kirkus Reviews
"The Stone Boys is a uniquely powerful novel by one of America's leading experts on the subject of boys. Protagonist Ben Brickman's journey to deal with his deepest emotions is relentlessly and authentically written . . . unforgettable."
--Terry Trueman, Printz Honor Author of Stuck in Neutral
"The Stone Boys makes it safe for boys to deal with experiences and topics not usually verbalized. This book will be part of their shaping journey to becoming good men."
--Gregory Jantz, Ph.D., founder of The Center, A Place of Hope, and author of Healing the Scars of Emotional Abuse
"The Stone Boys is unlike any other YA novel . . . a page turner . . . it can lead to discussions about any trauma one is dealing with."
--Tina Reed, medium.com
"The Stone Boys dives deep into the trauma of bullying and abuse and comes out just as our culture is taking the lid off the pain too many have buried for too long. Compelling and profound."
--Pastor Tim Wright, Community of Grace Lutheran Church
"Michael Gurian masterfully tackles this difficult subject as he portrays the awkwardness, confusion, and shame the two boys endure . . . This is an important book that should be read and discussed by boys and men, and by anyone who loves a boy or a man."
--Barbara Mulvey Little, Author of The Secrets Underneath
Frequently asked questions
Is The Stone Boys appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book includes themes of sexual trauma and violence, with references to serious childhood sexual abuse and a situation involving potential rape. It is described as a thriller that pays homage to slasher movies, indicating a level of violence in the narrative. The book is described as a slasher thriller, incorporating elements of suspense and horror, particularly related to the themes of trauma and violence. It is framed as a fun and scary narrative.
Does The Stone Boys have violence?
The book includes themes of sexual trauma and violence, with references to serious childhood sexual abuse and a situation involving potential rape. It is described as a thriller that pays homage to slasher movies, indicating a level of violence in the narrative.
Does The Stone Boys have scary content?
The book is described as a slasher thriller, incorporating elements of suspense and horror, particularly related to the themes of trauma and violence. It is framed as a fun and scary narrative.
Does The Stone Boys have religious themes?
No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are mentioned in the search results for 'The Stone Boys.'
Does The Stone Boys have racial/cultural content?
While there are mentions of Native people in the context of heavy drinking, this does not constitute a central theme or plot element related to race in 'The Stone Boys.'
Does The Stone Boys have profanity?
No profanity is mentioned in the search results related to 'The Stone Boys.'
Does The Stone Boys have climate change?
No climate-related themes or discussions are present in the search results for 'The Stone Boys.'
Does The Stone Boys have sexual identity?
The narrative addresses childhood sexual trauma and includes discussions about sexual abuse. It emphasizes the need for honesty regarding these serious subjects, indicating that sexual content is a significant aspect of the story.
Does The Stone Boys have gender roles?
The search results do not indicate any specific framing of gender roles in 'The Stone Boys.' The focus is more on the individual struggles of the characters rather than societal gender expectations.
Does The Stone Boys have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the search results related to 'The Stone Boys.' The focus is primarily on the themes of trauma and personal struggles.
