65 pages • 2 hours read
Promise Boys
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Part 1Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, racism, bullying, child abuse, addiction, substance use, sexual content, and cursing.
Part 1: “J.B.”
Part 1, Interlude 1 Summary: “Breaking News: Beloved Principal Killed at 43”
A news article reports on the death of Kenneth Moore, the principal and founder of Urban Promise Prep school in Washington, DC. He died of a gunshot wound to his head, and the police are currently holding three students for questioning.
Part 1, Interlude 2 Summary: “Nobody: Urban Promise Prep Student”
A student at the school tells the reader that someone brought a gun to school but insists that “you didn’t hear that from” them (7).
Part 1, Interlude 3 Summary: “Keyana Glenn: Anacostia High School Student”
Keyana is supposed to go on a date with J.B. on Friday night. However, when he doesn’t respond to her calls, she goes to the basketball game alone. She runs into him in the doorway of the school, and he is covered in blood. She tries to talk to him, thinking he is hurt, but he runs away.
Keyana wants to think that J.B. is innocent but also notes that you can never “truly” know someone.
