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nolansmock's review
5.0
An excellent coming-of-age memoir. I moved around a lot growing up and related to how much certain parts of my life are little slices based on when I arrived, when I left. Feeling like an outsider. I also just love 80s/90s suburban punk narratives. Even at almost 400 pages I still wish it was longer but like life it just is what it is.
graveyardpansy's review
5.0
memoir that gives you punk history (without being overly explanatory or 101, thank god!!!) as well as intimate reflective personal narrative. complex considerations of racism and subculture, family and found family and friends… delightful.
missmarisolnyc's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
askxtine's review
5.0
I worked with James in the late 90's and I know this is the truth. I could hear his voice on every page. It was a pleasure to spend time with him through this book, both the 13 yr old version and the adult in the margins. Very fast read, great illustrations, I had all the feels.
brenaudcreative's review
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Racism, and Drug use
maiakobabe's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
James' white mother and his black father divorced when he was in elementary school, and he moved around a lot. For high school, he moved with his mom to Apple Valley, a barren small town in the desert an hour inland from Los Angeles. Already a skater, James encountered punk music just went he needed it most: as an isolated and angry teen in a racist town with little to no underground scene or counterculture. The music, and later, the politics, of punk raised James in the semi-absence of parents and role models. This memoir, chronically roughly a year, is an unflinchingly honest look at the cruelty, creativity, friendship, and solidarity of teens. It has the density and scratchy texture of a 90s zine without ever sacrificing clarity. I was very impressed by how clearly and in what detail Spooner was able to recreate his high school angst and activist awaking in this coming of age tale. Punk wasn't the music that found me, but I still remember the high of finding a new favorite band or song that felt as if it spoke right to my teen soul. This book is a testament to the power of music to reach into the dark and pull someone out into the light.