Boys of the Beast

By Monica Zepeda

4
Teacher’s Guide

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 / People & Places / United States / 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

Reading Level Grades 9 - 12

Resources

Boys of the Beast Teacher’s Guide

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