All American Boys

All American Boys is co-written by two authors from different racial and cultural backgrounds. How does the presence of two distinct voices influence the narrative? How would the story—and the message behind it—be different if it were told from the point of view of only one character?

When Quinn is first introduced, he feels pressure to be the “All-American” boy. How does Quinn define “All-American” at the beginning of the novel? Does he believe in the concept of “All-American” wholeheartedly, or does he show disillusionment as well? How does Quinn’s definition of “All-American” shift as the novel continues?

According to Rashad, his father, David, is “all about discipline” and believes “that if you work hard, good things happen to you no matter what” (51). How does David’s viewpoint influence his reaction to the violence perpetrated against his son? Does David’s perspective shift as the novel continues?