In Nick Brooks's latest novel, the captivating YA mystery Promise Boys, three teen boys of color must investigate the murder of their school principal when they are named as prime suspects in the case.
Set at the prestigious Urban Promise Prep School—an institution with a reputation for turning boys into men through extreme discipline—Promise Boys follows J.B., Ramón, and Trey as they work to clear their names and uncover the truth about the murder of Principal Kenneth Moore, while also exploring social issues, such as the ways the criminal justice system fails boys of color.
PW caught up with Brooks to talk about Promise Boys, writing from experience, the criminal justice system, what he's working on now, and a whole lot more.
How would you say your experience working in schools helped to inform your writing? Did you base Urban Promise Prep on any school in particular?
I’d say my experience as an educator was pivotal in telling this story, I couldn’t have done so without it. Knowing some of the inner workings of both public and charter schools gave me tools in building the mystery of UPP and how it contributes to Principal Moore’s death. Also, many of the staff, student, and family characters that make up the Urban Promise Prep community are inspired by real interactions I had during my time as an educator.
UPP isn’t based on any particular school, but it’s a heightened amalgamation of many of the schools I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
You are a filmmaker and have previously written children’s books. How was the experience of writing a YA novel? Did your work in film inform your creative process?
I loved writing the novel. It allowed me to explore characters deeper than I typically have in a film or children’s book. My work in film definitely came in handy when it came to outlining the book and keeping up with the different character voices. I’ve had so much practice outlining screenplays that when it came to building the plot for Promise Boys, it felt natural. I also think writing for screen helped me with quick-paced dialogue and crafting cinematic scenes.
Promise Boys offers multiple perspectives from a broad range of characters. Why did you decide to write using this structure?
For me, meeting these boys through the eyes of all the people that judge them and then reversing expectations when we meet them is a great way to highlight the theme of the book. The multiple perspectives really allowed us to peel back the layers of UPP and the D.C. community as a whole. Multiple POVs also just work so well in mysteries and I think that’s a big reason why too.
What was challenging about it?
Cutting characters was really challenging! In earlier drafts there were characters present that I really grew attached to, but ultimately, we didn’t have the room to include them all.
In the book, you write about the experience of being accused of a crime. Do you have an interest in crime and the justice system as a whole?
Yes, to both. I definitely have an interest in writing more crime stories, it’s what I like to read and watch most. And I think more stories around our unfair justice system need to be told as well, so it’s something I’ve been doing more research on.
One of the themes in the book is how the system often fails boys of color. What do you hope your readers take away from the book—particularly relating to this issue you raise?
I think it’s there in the question, the system often fails Black and Brown boys, particularly in low-income communities. Our students are sometimes up against things that would cripple most adults. They need more grace, more advocacy, and certainly more resources, and hopefully telling their stories will spark conversations to get them what they need.
What are you working on now? Can we expect more books about characters from Urban Promise Prep?
I’m working on my next YA mystery, which won’t feature any characters from UPP but exists in a similar world. I’m also preparing to direct my debut feature film—it’s a story I’m really excited about!
