The Roach King of Raleigh - by Shannon Stocker (Hardcover)

About the Book

After his parents' separate due to his father's drinking, sophomore Quill begins secretly breeding cockroaches for the local pet shop in order to raise money for a new house for his mom.

Book Synopsis

From Schneider Family Award-winning author Shannon Stocker comes The Roach King of Raleigh, an unflinching YA novel about a high school sophomore who's determined to rise above his circumstances--even if it means starting a secret roach breeding business. Even if it means letting people in.

Quill Jenkins used to have a great life: a picture-perfect family, a big house in a nice neighborhood, and a best friend he could count on. But then his friend moved away, his brother left for college, and his dad's drinking caused his parents to split. Now Quill and his mom live in a broken-down rental house owned by a neglectful landlord, who also happens to be the father of Quill's high school nemesis.

More than anything, Quill wants to save enough money for a new house, but his mom refuses to let him get a job. So when he finds a hidden attic space inside his closet, then overhears the pet store owner arguing with a delinquent roach breeder, an idea is born. He strikes a deal and starts breeding roaches in the hidden room, reluctantly working with his classmate Harley and Harley's twin sister, Zuri, to keep the whole operation a secret.

But as the roach business takes off, new complications arise: his dad's condition steadily worsens, his beloved neighbor Mr. Dave suddenly goes MIA, and Quill learns that the truth has a way of creeping into the light.

The Roach King of Raleigh:

• is a contemporary young adult novel for readers 13 and up and adult fans of YA
• comes from Shannon Stocker, the winner of the 2023 Schneider Family Award for Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion
• is a powerful coming-of-age story that explores poverty, addiction, neurodiversity, friendship, and resilience

Review Quotes

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'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

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