Boys of the Beast

By Monica Zepeda
Hardcover: $21.95

Three cousins. Four days. One car. This smart and fearless road-trip novel is perfect for fans of David Levithan, Benjamin Alire Saenz, or Meg Medina.

Audiobook Edition

Description

THE ROUTE. Seventeen hundred miles from Portland, Oregon, to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

THE BEAST. Grandma Lupe’s 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.

THE BOYS. Three strangers who also happen to be cousins:

Matt. Evangelical Christian. Earnest. Film nerd. Carrying a dream to make movies–despite the future his father has planned for him.

Ethan. Jewish. Gay. Sci-fi nerd. Carrying a phone that contains his entire relationship with Levi–unless they finally get to meet IRL on this trip.

Oscar. Stoner. Smartass. Too cool to be a nerd. Carrying a letter that haunts him–no matter how hard he tries to escape it.

THE END… just might be a new beginning.

This powerful voyage in three voices marks the brilliant debut of Monica Zepeda.

About the Creators

Monica Zepeda

Monica Zepeda is a Southern California native who spent her teen years in the desert wilds of Joshua Tree. She moved to Los Angeles, London, and Arizona before settling down permanently in L.A. Along the way, she's worked as a bookseller, produced reality television shows, and written plays, feature films, and video games. Monica now serves as a teen librarian and lives near the beach with her husband and their unbelievably cute cats. You can find her on the web at monicazepeda.com, on Twitter at @MZWrites, and on Instagram at @MZWrites2.

Awards

  • Los Angeles Public Library Best Books 2023

    Los Angeles Public Library

  • Best Children's Books of the Year 2023

    Bank Street College of Education

  • International Latino Book Award Winner 2023

    Empowering Latino Futures

  • Rhode Island Latino Books Award Nominee 2024

    Rhode Island Latino Arts

Reviews

  • "Boys of the Beast zips easily along, just like the 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe that carries its three cousins to their satisfying destination."

    - Foreword Reviews

  • "[A] refreshing, smoothly written debut."

    - Booklist

  • "Starting off as mere character sketches, the three Latinx cousins (Matt has a White father) soon develop into fully endearing heroes thanks to Zepeda's deft, potent writing. Alternating short chapters from each teen's perspective packs nuance and depth in this quick read splashed with melodrama and humor...Like a missive from the soul. "

    - Kirkus Reviews

  • "[A] sure-footed debut...As the cousins go from mutual wariness to becoming a close-knit trio of co-conspirators and confidantes, their discussions, punctuated with fart jokes and f-bombs, are thoughtful explorations of identity; mental health issues, including self-harm; romance; and acceptance."

    - Publishers Weekly

  • "Boys of the Beast will hook you with its vibrant characters right away, and suddenly you'll be on a road trip you never want to leave! A truly great read."Bill Konigsberg, award-winning author of The Bridge

    - Bill Konigsberg, award-winning author of The Bridge

  • "A thrilling, funny, and profound journey to that magical place where differences turn into the sparks of friendship."Francisco X. Stork, award-winning author of Illegal

    - Francisco X. Stork, award-winning author of Illegal

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781643790954
  • Price $21.95
  • Publication Date Apr 12, 2022
  • Trim Size 8.25 × 5.5 in
  • Weight 1.125 lbs
  • Page Count 304
  • Word Count 50278

    • Interests

  • Imprint Tu Books
  • Audience Young Adult
  • BISAC Category 1 YAF / Hispanic & Latino
  • BISAC Category 2 YAF / Coming of Age
  • BISAC Category 3 YAF / Family / General (see also headings underSocial Themes)
  • Themes Coping with Death, Dreams & Aspirations, Empathy / Compassion, Families, Fiction, Forgiveness, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Jewish, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, LGBTQIA+, Overcoming Obstacles, Realistic Fiction, Religious Diversity, Teen Interest, YA interest

    • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 14 - 18
  • Grade Range Grades 9 - 12
  • Guided Reading Z+
  • Lexile Code HL
  • Lexile Level 640
  • Lexile Measurement HL640L
  • Reading Level Grades 9 - 12

    • Resources

    Boys of the Beast Teacher’s Guide
    Boys of the Beast Teacher’s Guide

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