All American Boys is a gripping and thought provoking book that explores issues of police brutality, racism, and social justice in America through the perspective of two teenagers Rashad Butler and Quinn Collins. Rashad is a sixteen year old african american who is brutally beaten by a white police officer while Quinn a white classmate of Rashad is a witness of the assault. The story follows their intertwined stories as they deal with their respective identities, beliefs, and responsibilities in the aftermath of Rashad's assault. The Supporting Characters are Rashad's father a former police officer who believes that the good cops outnumber the bad ones. Also holds his sons to very traditional standards of success, behavior, and appearance. Jill is Rashad and Quinn's classmate at Springfield Central High Jill is also the cousin to Guzzo and Paul. Quinn has a major crush on Jill in the story. Rashad’s mother is a strong and loving mother to both of her two sons and doesn’t hesitate to stick up for them. Quinn's mother a single mother to two sons. Since her husband was killed in Afghanistan she depends on Quinn to help her out. Spoony Rashad’s brother has the opposite of his dad’s beliefs on the police a driving factor in the …show more content…
A police officer later revealed to be Paul is on duty comes over and asks what happened but assumes Rashad was trying to steal before Rashad or the woman can explain. The police officer drags Rashad outside handcuffs him throws him to the ground and begins beating him. Meanwhile Quinn and his friends have been waiting in the alley next to Jerry’s to ask an adult to buy them beer that they can take to the party. When Quinn goes around to the front of Jerry’s, he sees what the police officer is doing to Rashad. Quinn and his friends choose to forget about it and move on and go to the