Roger Newman: Reading and Signing

Join us at 6 pm on April 22, 2025 at Hub City Bookshop for an evening with Roger Newman. Boys by Roger Newman follows the journey of two friends, one Black and one white, as they navigate the complexities of race, privilege, and justice in mid-20th century America. Their bond is tested by societal expectations and personal struggles, revealing the deep impact of history and identity on their lives.

Get a 10% discount on the book when you RSVP on Eventbrite and present it at the bookshop register!

RSVP

About the Book:

"Boys by Roger Newman is a compelling and heartfelt exploration of family, friendship, and resilience set against the turbulent backdrop of the Great Depression in the rural American South. The story revolves around young Petey Barnes and Alex, a Black boy taken in by Petey’s family under tense and challenging circumstances. Newman crafts a poignant tale of loyalty and survival through their bond as the boys navigate a world divided by race, hardship, and unyielding societal expectations. Boys is an incredibly moving coming-of-age story that beautifully portrays friendship’s strength and the courage to face adversity. Newman captures the daily rhythms and struggles of the era, bringing to life both the beauty and starkness of rural America.

I don’t even know how to describe this book without writing a thousand words because it's worth a thousand stars. The world-building is immersive and impressive, with vivid descriptions of farm life, dusty small towns, and the Southern landscapes. The farm setting is almost a character, underscoring the hardships and resilience of those living off the land. The story’s structure is layered, with Petey and Alex alternating perspectives, adding depth to their relationship and allowing readers to experience the complexities of the era’s racial tensions. Roger Newman’s rich and subtle storytelling offers readers an evocative glimpse into a difficult period while highlighting the transformative power of love and loyalty. This novel is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, capturing the essence of a friendship that transcends the divides of an unforgiving world. It's on my top ten list of books to reread in 2025".

- Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

About the Author:

In addition to Boys, Roger Newman  is the author of a series of medical thrillers: Occam’s Razor, Two Drifters, and What Becomes; and the historical fiction novel Will O’ the Wisp: Madness, War, and Recompense. He is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, specializing in the care of women with multiple gestations. He has authored almost two hundred scientific papers, a dozen book chapters, and the award-winning and bestselling When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads; Fourth Edition. He served as the national president for the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and was voted by his peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America” for thirty consecutive years. He and his wife, Diane, live on the Ashley River in Charleston, South Carolina.