Shannon Stocker

The Roach King of Raleigh / by Shannon Stocker

A young adult story about identity and making choices to be the person you want to be. The main character Quill Jenkins is just trying to survive each. He doesn't have lots of social skills and tries to avoid interacting with people whenever possible -- except for Mr. Dave, an older neighbor who seems to understand him and encourages him. The one thing that Mr. Dave and Quill's mother have in common -- they think Quill needs "friends".

Quill show more accidently makes "friends" with Harley, a schoolmate that has his own problems with involuntary audible "whoops" and facial ticks that make him a laughing stock to everyone around him.

There is also Zuri, Harley's twin sister, who is very protective of her brother -- however, she sees something in Quill and the three form a kind of friendship around a secret roach breeding business.

This book is dealing with lots of issues: broken families, disabilities, bullies, alcoholism, survival, etc. -- however, it treats each with honesty and genuine reflection of a teenager.

Quill and Harley are both artists - using different mediums to express their feelings -- and there is an especially special scene after a traumatic encounter that the two sit in a secluded hall in the school and just doodle until the situation calms.

One of the biggest themes in the book is secrets and lying -- how different people define truth.

Another major theme of the story is the perceived difference of those that have money and those that do not. I love how the author deals with subject on two different levels with Quill and Harley and Quill and Conner.

I really like how the author represents the loving/supportive relationship of Quill and his mother. They have their difficult moments, but the relationship has a great foundation and they always come back to a hug and a reconnection.

It was the cover that made me chose this book. It is so awesome and matches the story's awesomeness. Everytime that I pick the book up, I just stare at it awhile, soaking in the context.

The author, Shannon Stocker, loves her simile and it is often used especially in the beginning of the book - example: "...my dresser relaxes against the southern wall like a runner after a marathon" (p33). -- "Bitterness seeps from my pores like steam" (p21).

NOTE: The word friggin' appears often. Some violence. Bullying. Brief mention that Lady teacher has a wife.

This is one of those rare books that I wanted to return to often to see what would happen next. Good selection for teen boys. Would make an interesting book club choice for young adults.

I was given a free Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review. show less

This would be good for grades 2-7.

Beautiful art represents how beautiful music is. Evelyn Glennie loved music from a young age but soon lost her hearing. She says that “losing my hearing made me a better listener.” There is so much beauty in that.

This shows that you can do wonderful things if you just keep trying no matter what hardships you may face.

I love the way that this biography captures that she thrived as a musician not in spite of her disability, but because of it.

What a great story about learning how losing hearing ACTUALLY made someone listen better. Made them feel their surrounds more.

It's wordy (like most picture book biographies) but I absolutely love the disability representation