Bones of a Saint

By Grant Farley

Book Overview

Set in Northern California in the late '70s, this timeless coming-of-age story examines the nature of evil, the art of storytelling, and the possibility of redemption.

Fifteen-year-old RJ Armante has never known a life outside his deadend hometown of Arcangel, CA. The Blackjacks rule as they have for generations, luring the poorest kids into their monopoly on petty crime. For years, they've left RJ alone, but now they have a job for him: prey upon an old loner in town.

In spite of the danger, RJ begins to resist. He fights not only for himself, but for his younger brother, Charley, whose disability has always made RJ feel extra protective of him. For Roxanne, the girl he can't reach, and the kids in his crew who have nothing to live for. Even for the old loner, who has secrets of his own. If RJ is to break from the Blackjacks' hold, all of Arcangel must be free of its past.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1641291176
• ISBN13: 9781641291170
• Release Date: March 2021
• Publisher: Soho Teen
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

This is a wonderful coming of age novel.

Although the book is called a young adult, it really goes beyond that. Grant Farley captures the voice of his young narrator beautifully. RJ is irreverent, sarcastic, and smart. The story has beautiful literary allusions and presents the battle between good and evil, a conflict that we've never been able to overcome. I highly recommend this book to young and old alike. It is like nothing you have ever read.