A hard-hitting yet touching tale that perfectly captures the difficulties facing teenagers whom society seems to have written off already.

1968. A small town in New York state. An abusive father and a beaten-down mother. Two older brothers—one violent, the other traumatized by the Vietnam War. Not enough money at home. Odd jobs to stay afloat. Too many fights at school. A library open on Saturdays, a much-needed escape. Unrealized talent. And a fierce desire to get a grip on life. Against this grim backdrop—one not entirely without hope—Doug strives to be more than the "skinny thug" everyone takes him to be.