Bryan's family loves him--his mom has a good job, and keeps him safe. When he meets Mike, at dinner, at his house, he gets a brother he can be close to. Mike likes comics, Bryan likes comics. Bryan gets good grades, so does Mike. But Mike doesn't like to get good grades, he likes to skip school, and he isn't the best influence on Bryan. Bryan struggles to figure out what he wants, especially as he sees his dad do some things he shouldn't and get thrown back in prison...again.

This is a really nice story about growing up, and making friends and how to handle that, even if you are a boy and you want to be tough not soft. How do you handle all those different messages about defending yourself without ending up in a neighborhood wide beef? The answers are not easy but they are realistic--and they do take a lot of familial involvement.

Definitely a great read alike for The Stars Beneath Our Feet.