This Boy's Life is the autobiographical story of Tobias Wolff's childhood and young manhood. Tobias, who changes his name to Jack to celebrate author Jack London, treks across America with his mother during the 1950s. Beset by hardships, Jack struggles with coming of age and with his mother's insecurities. He seeks futilely to reconnect with his distant and troubled father, then finally washes out of school and joins the army just in time to serve in Vietnam.
A Suitable Boy is a 1349-page novel by Vikram Seth. The story takes place in India, shortly after its independence from Britai and centers on Lata, a nineteen-year-old girl whose mother is trying to find her a suitable boy to marry. Throughout the novel she is presented with various suitors and must choose between Kabir, Amit and Haresh, while trying not to be controlled by her mother and brother. The novel deals with many social and political issues in post-colonial India such as religious tensions and women's rights.
About a Boy is actually a novel about two boys, 30-something Will Freeman and 12-year-old Marcus. Will has never had to work a day in his life and lives off of royalties from a song his father wrote. Marcus lives with his depressed single mother and is a social outcast. The novel examines what it means to grow up and become a functioning member of society as well as the importance of establishing and maintaining strong relationships.
Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them is a book by James Garbarino that examines violent behavior among American boys and youths. Part I of the book provides an overview of quantitative and qualitative research with accounts from juvenile delinquents. Garbino dismisses misconceptions about adolescence and identifies various psychological disorders, such as attachment disorder, that contribute to violent behavior. In Part II, Garbino discusses the environmental factors of violent behavior and suggests spiritual, family and therapy-based support systems.
Rocket Boys is a memoir by Homer Hickam that tells his story of attempting to pursue a passion for building rockets while growing up in a small mining town during the late 1950s. Homer bands together with a group of boys, including Quentin, Roy, Sherman, Jimmy, and Billy, and begins to build model rockets. Their tireless efforts over the course of three years result in them winning a National Science Fair gold medal.