Told through the eyes of a young Pete Turner, this riveting tale starts with the most devastating of tragedies; the death of Pete's father. Having witnessed his father's death, Pete finds himself forever changed and unsure about the course of his life, He finds himself seeking support and guidance from all of the wrong places, defiant to his mother's wishes and under the influence of delinquents. Discovering that many of these influences don't mean well and only have their own interests at heart, Pete is forced to find his own way, coming to terms with the past and starting his new journey of growth and manhood. This coming of age tale takes a gritty look at the grip of poverty on communities and the tricky path it lays ahead for many young men trying to find their way in the world. Never looking away from the hard truths of urban life, American Boy, speaks to the universal rites of passage of young adulthood while cleverly shedding light on the circumstances keeping millions of African American boys in a vicious cycle of hopelessness and despair.