The Boys Who Woke Up Early

“The immersive story-telling is amazing and I still hear my heart pounding when I think of some of the early (!) passages of this novel as well as the laters. With economy and greatness A.D Hopkins gives us a well-documented, gripping, realistic, hell of of story about racisme, prejudices, growing up (althought it is not, in my opinion, the main theme) and more. Guns, law enforcement, police work, segregation, teenage in a small town of Virginia in late 50’s/early 60’s can give, I supposed, a good canvas for a good story, but the narrative and the talent of the author give it its greatness. We laugh some times, we are scared some other times. Scared for the characters that we learned to appreciate, for the events to escalate, for innocence to be crushed. And there is suspense too in this novel, a lot! Told you, my heart was pounding hard, my breath was heavy…”—Diane Dumon,(10/16/19)

“While Mary Lou certainly inspires Stony’s change of heart, its own conscience and common sense that has him going up against the racists in his town. The Boys Who Woke Up Early was written in a way where I could not help but emphasize with the stunningly real and flawed characters (especially Roosevelt). It was so intriguing.”—Aslee Blansit, Goodreads.com (09/01/19)

“It reads like good journalism — no surprise as this is the debut novel of a 46-year veteran journalist. I had forgotten how much I like a real story — not overburdened by excess angst, overly bold characters, and well-defined narrative arcs that bear little resemblance to reality.”—Laura Hill, bibliobloggityboo.com (09/18/19)

“Complete with humor and sobering themes like racial prejudice and segregation, The Boys Who Woke Up Early delivers a satisfying read by showing both good and bad exist simultaneously, and not always where it should”—Patricia Philbrook, Goodreads.com (07/15/19)

“Engaging, enthralling. Great writing on a heavy topic.” —Tracy Thomas,ThePagesInbetween.com/ (06/03/19)

“All the elements are present for some explosive incidents in Early and the boys certainly do wake it up. You can read this novel and focus on the hell-raising confrontations between moonshiners, kids, and lawmen, on family feuds dating back to 1924, on the boys’ narrow escapes from situations their sense of honor and their plain old stupidity get them into. It’s a fun book and it will often make you laugh out loud.”—Sara Hopkins, LikeTheDew.com (05/23/19)

“The descriptions were so lovely that I more or less melted into the time (the 1950s) and places (in the Western Virginia hill country) he described. The story felt so true as to almost be autobiographical.”—Diane Taylor, Living-Las-Vegas.com (06/02/19)

“Taking place in the late 1950’s in the state of Virginia, we meet small town America. There is plenty of history in this book relating to America back in the late 1950’s — KKK, racial tensions, family dynamics. I loved how author A. D. Hopkins described the dress of the kids at this era in time. Plenty of research went into this book. It also deals with family, young love, and hidden truths.”—Pamela A. Poddany, Amazon Top 500 Reviewer (03/21/19)

“This story truly amazed me. The cover and title drew me in, the blurb sounded good BUT it was so far away from my normal read. It was so real. I was transported back to the 50s and all the madness that went with it. Politics, racism, KKK. Just wow.”—Crystal Gray, Goodreads.com (05/1019)

“Carley deftly portrays easygoing Stony and his dissimilar friend Jack, a would-be detective, as the pair assist the overworked sheriff’s department. Listeners will visit the story’s warmly described rural community and enjoy its picnics, hunting, and fishing. Bootlegging, racism, and KKK activities are also part of the locale. Descriptions are so well written and rendered that listeners will feel they’re actually witnessing events.”—S.G.B, AudioFile Magazine

“Set in 1959, in rural Early, western Virginia, The Boys Who Woke Up Early is a coming of age novel that reads more like a historical memoir. While the tale follows two teenage boys, don’t count out the female characters like Mary Lou Martin. Her character is not only interesting and a breath of fresh air, she’s integral to the captivating storyline. A thrilling novel with real life parallels, the book is a fascinating tale.”—Jacy Topps, ManhattanWithATwist.com, 05/01/19

“This is a well written novel about life in the late 50s when America is starting to change their views on segregation and violence. It’s a coming of age time for Stony who has to form his own views about what he sees around him. I enjoyed the main character of Stony who changed significantly in the novel as he began to notice more about life around him.”—Susan R, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer (03/10/19)

“The backhanded politics including corruption, bullying, and abuse are themes woven throughout. Though a fictional story, the details are clear and a bit of truth shines brightly. Stony Shelor and Jack Newcome go from innocent boys to brave soon-to-be private detectives. Written in the style of The Catcher in the Rye, this coming of age story is one not to be missed.”—Terrie Case, casereviews.com (03/18/19)

“In creating his intriguing first novel “The Boys Who Woke Up Early,” A.D. Hopkins has drawn from the deep well of his memories of growing up in Appalachia at the end of the Eisenhower era. The narrative is full of tales of comradeship, moonshine, hunting, bullying, Klan rallies, domestic violence, political corruption, puppy love, and a feud that rivals that of the Hatfields and McCoys”—Dr. Al Chase, White Rhino Report (02/13/19)

“Captivating, suspenseful, entertaining novel! This beautiful thriller kept me on the edge of my seat while I was reading it!”—YC Y, NetGalley.com (02/05/19)

“The writing and plot are seamless and grip you from the very beginning, and the characters are beautifully rounded; I admired Mary Lou the most as she had vision and didn’t unquestioningly accept the way things were as most people of the time did. It’s a captivating thriller but so much more than that. It makes us question our lives today and how far we’ve come but also how much further we still have to go to gain equality. It’s both a powerful, thought-provoking and highly entertaining hybrid coming-of-age novel/thriller, and the descriptions of small-town life make for engaging reading”—Lou, avidreadersretreat.com (03/01/19)

“This is a different type of book than I typically read. It’s more of a slice-of-life novel, but I really enjoyed it. Reading A.D. Hopkins’ accounts of the time period are very interesting and they ring true, as they are inspired by his youth. If you are looking for something different and mellow, yet still timely, despite it taking place in the 50’s, check out The Boys Who Woke Up Early.“—Ashley Perkins, gamevortex.com (03/15/19)

“This book is set just when the fight for equal rights begins, when discrimination is the norm, and only a few people are waking up to the awareness that the way things have always been isn’t the way they should be. I enjoyed the story of Stony’s realization that his small mountain hometown needs to make some changes.”—Misti Pyles, tamaramorning.com (03/02/19)

“The writing is unembellished and flows smoothly, making the book an effortless and gripping read. This book is a reminder of generational differences and the role of the youth in shaping the present and future of the world around them, not by running away or unquestioningly accepting things the way they are, but by staying and gradually trying to change the way things work.”—Kara San, writekara.com (02/16/19)

“Coming of 1950’s age story detailing the lives, adventures and dreams of two boys who are high school juniors and good friends. At the core of the story is their volunteer time as a team in the small town, western Virginia sheriff’s office. Together they face issues involving burglary, racism, prostitution, moonshine liquor, murder and more. I found this a fun, fast read…really enjoyable.”—Dick Whittington, Goodreads.com (01/17/19)

“The story of The Boys Who Woke Up Early is in many ways a timeless American narrative of small town life, mischief, and growing up. This is written as historical fiction that looks back on the racially charged 1960s and addresses how people like Jack and Stony overcome some of their racial prejudices. Yet, it also reflects the unrest we see in the United States today. What I appreciate most about the novel is the racial awareness and awakening that the Jack and Stony undertake throughout the novel. In the beginning they are passive bystanders to racial inequality. It is something they never questioned or even really thought about. This is true of most people even today. Unless we are directly affected by something it can be hard for us to see how it affects others. And this blindness goes beyond race relations. I hope that the characters Stony and Jack lead by example and maybe even change a few reader’s lives.”—Hope Lee, bound2books.co (01/30/19)

“Different in style, setting and development, this was a refreshing way to start 2019 and new book thoughts…All in all, I think a valid word to describe the book is cohesive. There are a lot more characters than just Stony and his friend, and they are all tied into the story in an enjoyable, understandable and personally motivated way. Even characters who all-in-all are mostly insignificant behave consistently and in a relatable way, and help move everything forward. Without the bustling life and small, yet important, interpersonal relationships between people Stony would not have ended up where he did.—Thor Høgås, Goodreads.com (01/20/19)

“A. D Hopkins first novel and I expect to read more. How is one to follow on this brilliant novel? The novel has an abundant of history, characters you are involved with and engaging Boys you root for. Not a book you want to end. I loved it from the beginning and did not want to see it end.”—Edna Gadoury, Goodreads.com (01/09/19)

“I enjoyed the writing style of this book. It was refreshing. The story was interesting. I kept turning the pages just want to find out how it’d go.”—Cecile Chandler, remivfoliage (01/24/19)

“I love that this book is set in the 50s. It added such a good historical aspect to the story especially dealing with with some of the aspects of the book. Jack and Stony want to be detectives and even go as far to start hanging out at the police station and finally get to help on a case when the DA’s house is robbed. The things they find though on their “assignment” lead them to question everything they know about their town and their families. This is the first book I read by A.D Hopkins and I look forward to reading more of his“—Cheryl Weaver, Goodreads.com (01/14/19)

“The boys woke up the town to some of the things that were going on out of sight. It is a good examination of life in a small town. The narrator is writing as if he is looking back on his past, in a memoir form. The events played a transformative role in the life of the town as well as the boys.”—Kim Cabrera, Goodreads.com (11/30/18)

“The Boys Who Woke Up Early is captivating and fascinating. It is filled with awesome characters and a very entertaining and intriguing plot. I really like this book. It’s a great book. I will look for other books by this author. I highly recommend it.”—Lee Staes, Goodreads.com (11/21/18)

“This is a thought provoking coming of age drama that goes beneath the surface to present a picture of a community and society in transition and it shows how division and fear detrimentally effects the human condition. Well worth a read and hopefully there will be more from this writer in the future.”—G. Heard, Goodreads.com (11/15/18)

“It’s a coming of age during a time when racial tensions were on the rise, when the Ku Klux Klan were hidden sometimes in your own family and two boys playing at being grown men, thrilled by the power of police work sometimes learn that the difference between right and wrong, good and bad is thin. That love can incite all manner of shocking violence, and messing with the wrong boy can possibly cost you your very life. It’s like reading a memoir, a genuine picture of the times “—Lolly K Dandeneau, bookstalkerblog (10/22/2018)

“‘The Boys Who Woke Up Early’ might be A.D. Hopkins’ first novel, but it feels like it has always been with us; it’s a novel filled with heart and grace and a surging sense of wonder, while also lined with brutality and violence. A rare combination, for sure, but A.D. Hopkins is a rare writer.”—Tod Goldberg, author of Gangsterland and Gangster Nation.

5 Stars out of 5 “A book that is engaging and enthralling, full of wonderful characters and with a wonderful plot.A very good read , I will surely look for other books by this author.”—Anna Maria Giacomasso, NetGalley (10/31/2018)

“Equipped with the grace of a fencer and the attentiveness of a journalist, A.D. Hopkins drops us into the world of teenager Stony Shelor, a blossoming humanist, would-be-detective, and hopeful gallant. Read it for the pleasure of this boy’s ideas, for the perfectly pitched turn-of-phrase, for the reminder that in every community, there are those fighting for the right and the true.”—Laura McBride, author of We Are Called to Rise and In the Midnight Room.

“A rollicking coming-of-age tale, shining a light on the not too distant past of the Jim Crow South. With his storyteller’s ear and reporter’s attention to detail, A.D. Hopkins has created poignant characters and a plotline to match. His lines convey the sadness and shortness of life—the sorrows brought on by family members lost to typical feuds and grudges whose origins no one can remember. In Hopkins’ hands, it all comes to life.”—Sally Denton, author of The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs & Murder, and The Profiteers: Bechtel and the Men Who Built the World.

“A coming-of-age story that doesn’t pull its punches. Set in the waning years of the Jim Crow era in rural Virginia, it’s a narrative in which fists fly, guns go off and the Ku Klux Klan is hiding in plain sight. A.D. Hopkins convincingly re-creates the time and place, and his characters are as natural as the creative turns of phrase he captures from his native South.”—Geoff Schumacher, National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement and author of “Sun, Sin & Suburbia: The History of Modern Las Vegas” and “Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia & Palace Intrigue”.