"Boys Like Me" is the story of Roy, a precocious twelve-year-old boy who sees the world in a different light than most anybody. He struggles with dyslexia but is an avid reader. Roy sees bigotry firsthand in strange and everyday human interactions in his small, insignificant town in south-central Texas. He knows how to stay aware and avoid getting beat up by bullies, and there's plenty to go around for a non-athletic kid like him. He holds solid ethics and relentlessly pursues the truth in all aspects of his life. Roy falls for Kid, also known as Gary, the "best looker" he's ever seen. He should know; he likes looking at boys. They share mutual feelings, spending all their time together until Kid becomes distant because of problems at home. Roy begins having strange, unexplained visions, as if life isn't peculiar enough for him. Reality isn't always as it seems.
Before a planned bike ride, Kid dumps Roy without reason. Roy is upset and rides an unfamiliar path home. Not far from home, an older boy confronts Roy, beating him raw and trying to steal his handmade bike. He finds himself face down on the gravel by the railroad tracks. All hope is lost, until A Dark Angel and a wise black woman named Mrs. Plowman change Roy's life forever.
