Wolf Boys by Dan SlaterISBN: 9781501126543
Publication Date: 2016-09-13
Reviewer: Romeo Rosales, Librarian II
Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, approximately eight miles north of Mexico, I have always been fascinated by border history. It would only seem logical considering the proximity of my childhood home and the nearest border crossing. But never could I have imagined the torture, crime and horrendous acts being committed across the border by some of the most violent teenagers who were part of one of the most violent cartels ever. Wolf Boys details the violent and tragic lives of two boys from Laredo, Texas who were victims of poverty on a border town that, until this day, still suffers from violent crime and rampant poverty. What fascinated me most about this book was that the teenagers are my age and are now in jail for life. Both were convicted of murder and countless other crimes. These crimes were committed both in Mexico and the United States. I was naive and stupid enough to cross into Mexico on multiple occasions as a teenager not knowing the magnitude of the drug war. This book is not for the faint of heart, however. It is violent, gruesome and disgusting at times. Dan Slater did an amazing job of putting this one together. If you have ever been curious of just how violent things in Mexico are, pick this one up and read it.