The Roach King of Raleigh

Reviews / Votes

The Roach King of Raleigh is a very special book. You won't just cheer for Harley; you will love him. Written with no small measure of elegance, The Roach King is filled with moments that will make you smile, not just because they are so well-written, but because they are so true. * Jonathan Friesen, Schneider Award-winning author and speaker * A moving story of hope, resilience, and community ... with an unlikely colony of roaches at its heart. Stocker's novel follows a young man navigating the typical pressures of adolescence while facing family addiction, disability, and grief. The writing masterfully creates characters so deep and a plot so heart-wrenching, you'll find yourself cheering for the insects. It is both a mirror and a window, helping readers see themselves while building empathy for others. I'll be honest: I never thought I'd find so much humanity in a story about roaches. * Mary-Kate Sableski, Ph.D., professor at the University of Dayton * In Quill Jenkins, Shannon Stocker crafts a hero who breeds courage where others see only filth. This is a fierce, honest tale about the power of being seen, and the beauty that crawls out of the shadows. * Dame Evelyn Glennie-musician, speaker, and founder of the Evelyn Glennie Foundation * Quill's journey is at once deeply moving and hilarious, yet full of nuanced and emotional truths about the nature of friendship and the tenuous bonds that keep families together. I was swept away by this brave and complex story of renewal and redemption. In The Roach King of Raleigh, Shannon Stocker has created a world and cast of characters that is genuinely unforgettable. * Devin Fan, author/illustrator with the Fan Brothers of The Barnabus Project and Barnaby Unboxed! * Shannon Stocker has written something very special here. Roaches or not, Quill's story is honest, emotional, and heartwarming. I loved it. * Alison Gervais, author and Schneider Family Honor Book Award recipient * Shannon Stocker's voice sings throughout The Roach King of Raleigh, loosely based on the author's own life. With a quirky, wounded main character you can't help but root for, rich secondary characters that bring further conflicts and depth, and a plot that builds believably as teenager Quill Jenkins tries to create a better life for himself and his overworked, formerly middle-class mother, you won't want to put this book down. It's a story about addiction, abandonment, friendship, and the power of community. It's also written to amplify voices within the disability community, and encourage empathy and acceptance from those who are not. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll care with this brilliant book that's sure to win awards. * Dr. Mira Reisberg, director of the Children's Book Academy * Stocker (Stronger at the Seams) offers a gritty portrayal of a teenager navigating financial insecurity, family tumult, and bullying--and the unlikely solution he cooks up to alleviate his worries ... Unflinching prose fittingly highlights Quill's willingness to be vulnerable as he grapples with unresolved issues in his familial relationships, culminating in a moving and believable interrogation of one teen's changing outlook and his growing ability to trust others. * Publisher's Weekly * Stocker skillfully grounds readers in themes of love, struggle, and forgiveness in The Roach King of Raleigh. The complex friendship between Quill and Harley stands out in the book, demonstrating to both readers (and Quill) that the presence of a loyal friend can help lighten the weight of troubles--taking vulnerability and courage from both people to grow together (and grow a roach business)! * Alison Green Myers, Schneider Family Award-winning author of A Bird Will Soar * The thoughtful and descriptive first-person narration is raw and unguarded, showing readers the sides of Quill he works hard to hide from everyone else. His anger, disappointment, and hopelessness are palpable, making for an emotionally rich, intense story. VERDICT: A moving read about change, adversity, truth, friendship, and community, this is highly recommended. * School Library Journal * With The Roach King of Raleigh, Shannon Stocker has crafted a world that is at once beautiful and heartbreaking. Her ability to reach under your skin to evoke emotion is mesmerizing. These relatable, unique, and realistic characters will work their way into your heart and stay there forever. * Lauren H. Kerstein, author and psychotherapist *