The Island of Worthy Boys

“Connie Mayo’s fast-paced novel, The Island of Worthy Boys, transports you to the pungent gritty streets of nineteenth-century Boston where two unlikely delinquent heroes lurk. Fair warning: they will steal your heart. Mayo’s dramatic flair, psychological insight, and mastery of nineteenth-century Boston make for a remarkable debut novel that reads like the work of a seasoned pro. Unforgettable.”
—Katherine Keenum, author of Where the Light Falls

“An accomplished debut novel with intriguing characters and vibrant dialogue, The Island of Worthy Boys takes readers on a fascinating journey through the streets of late-nineteenth-century Boston and into the little-known world of Thompson Island’s Farm School for Indigent Boys. With sparkling descriptions and a well-paced plot, Mayo tells the tale of Charles Wheeler and Aidan Sullivan―two boys on the run―and their escape to the farm school, where secrets abound and the boys’ friendship endures the ultimate test. The Island of Worthy Boys will captivate both fans of Boston history and lovers of historical fiction.”
—Kristen Harnisch, author of The Vintner's Daughter

“A poignant and moving tale of two boys who fall on hard times in nineteenth-century Boston. Hunger and desperation help to forge a bond between the two that is nearly indestructible. When the unthinkable happens, they go into hiding, living in constant fear that the ghosts of their past will return to exact revenge and seek justice. A thoughtful and enlightening story filled with historical appeal and an ending that is both unexpected and satisfying.”
—Tamar Ossowski, author Left