“The Zulu word for ‘hello’ is sawubona. It literally means ‘I see you.’ Wouldn’t it be good if, every time we came in contact with other human beings made in God’s image, the first thing we announced and intended was to see them? That sounds like something from the Kingdom of God.” – Author’s Note, The Found Boys by S. D. Smith
My children, ages 17, 15, and 13, do not know what the Ku Klux Klan is. I feel both mortified and grateful for that. I thank God that stories of the Klan are not as prevalent today as they once were. But that doesn’t mean humanity is any less fallen now than it was when those stories were commonplace. Have you taught your children about the Klan? When did you tell them that particular horror story? How did you approach it? When is the right time to introduce children to the nightmares of this broken world?
“I am so happy to share this story with you. My intention is to give you a gift, to love and serve you with a delightful, moving, inspiring, and soul-shaping adventure. The Found Boys is not really a story about race, but a story about people, and it involves race. I think it’s a hopeful, humorous tale you’ll enjoy.” – Author’s Note, The Found Boys by S. D. Smith
It is, Sam. It’s all of those things. Thank you for providing the perfect story to invite my children into a difficult, nuanced conversation about the complexity of humanity, the poison of hatred, the true nature of friendship, and the Kingdom-call to love and forgive even when anger and hurt are gripping our hearts.
“Mom always said we should pray for Willie. I didn’t feel good about that, but I did it anyway ‘cause it says in the Bible to love your neighbor and your enemies too, which is weird. Dad said Reverend Jones said that lots of his neighbors were his enemies, so he just prayed for everyone and got a two-for-one deal on lots of ‘em.”
The Found Boys by S. D. Smith is an engaging, funny, and thought-provoking story about ordinary boys growing up in two churches on opposite sides of the river in 1980s West Virginia. Scott and Tommy, white boys from Valley Baptist Church, love to jump off swings, shoot hoops, run along the shoreline, and chase after adventure. Dooley, a black kid from Mt. Zion Baptist Church, enjoys doing pretty much the same things. When the boys decide to put aside their differences and join forces for a mission to steal something from the junkyard, they get far more than they bargained for.
Sam skillfully developed multiple characters simultaneously, showing how the Body of Christ works best when it works together. His writing carries an honesty that reveals the depth of human nature—no one is one-dimensional. And while the forgiveness of Christ is the simplest truth, it is often won through a hard and complex journey.
In an interview we did with Margi McAllister about Mistmantle, we discussed how her stories handle tough topics. Her goal is never to scar or wound young readers, but to stretch them, leaving growth rings like those found in trees. Similarily, when we interviewed Gary D. Schmidt, we thanked him for guiding children through painful experiences alongside his characters, always sending good and trustworthy adults to help them emerge stronger and wiser.
I’ve loved S. D. Smith’s books since I discovered them nearly ten years ago. Beneath the thrilling adventures of Picket, Smalls, Heather, Helmer, and the unforgettable Jo Shanks, there is a heart for the Mended Wood that makes every adventure, friendship, and character feel deeply real to me—and to the many children I’ve shared these stories with. When we met Jack Zulu, Benny, and Michelle, in Jack Zulu, I was delighted to see Sam’s West Virginia leap off the page, bringing me back to my own childhood in the 1980s. newest Jack Zulu book, Sam’s most meaningful writing emerges through Michelle’s father, whose reflections on manhood and responsibility model for both Jack and readers what it means to be an honorable man. I can’t wait to see how the Jack Zulu stories unfold.
“Valley Baptist and Mt. Zion Baptist held their second joint service that night even though it was a Tuesday. All the black and white people from both churches joined hand in hand, surrounding the house. At first, I was afraid, but soon enough we were singing hymns together, and I grew bolder inside. By the time the Klan showed up, it felt like we were part of God’s army and the angels were all around us with a mighty host.”
I mention these other stories because The Found Boys stands as a mature, heartfelt story, building on the foundations Sam laid in his earlier works. The Mended Wood of The Green Ember is more than just a concept here—it is something to hope for, to choose, and to live out in every encounter. It is the choice to forgive someone who has terrorized your family. It is the choice to join hands with strangers who may make you nervous. It is the decision to confront hatred, to call it what it is, and to seek the good of others instead of giving in to your fears.
“He’s in the Klan,” Dooley said. “They burn crosses in our yards, wear white costumes, and ride around doing all kinds of stuff against blacks.”“They burn a cross?”“Yep,” he replied.“Well, that’s pretty much a dead giveaway for whose side they’re on.”
With its humor, big heart, and graceful handling of race, The Found Boys is an absolute must-read. Scott and Tommy possess an innocent charm that is tested but carefully protected throughout the story. Dooley, with his wholesome maturity, is wise, courageous, and entirely lovable. The boys’ parents are equally wonderful—loving, prudent, and principled.
“There was peace between us. I was like Dooley—like the Jones family. I was for forgiveness. There has to be a way for people to come back after being wrong and bad, and the Joneses were the kind of people who liked to open those roads.”
Together, my library patrons and I ordered 23 copies and had one of our very best book clubs discussing this book. There is one intense scene where a boy is attacked by dogs. It’s brief, and no serious harm comes to him, but younger readers might find it frightening if they read it alone.
Overall, I believe The Found Boys is an important, well-told story that will greatly aid families in discussing racism, sin, forgiveness, and the historical reality of the Ku Klux Klan.
Listen to S. D. Smith talk about his new book, The Found Boys: