The Crew

By: Michael Mohr

Narrated by: Tyler Nissen

When Jack Donnigan—a naïve, protected 16-year-old sophomore at St. Andy’s Prep in Southern California in 2000—jumps into The Crew, a renegade punk rock clique on campus led by the nefarious and intelligent Cannonball, he is thrilled. But he soon challenges Cannon’s leadership by starting a secret relationship with Cannon’s chosen girl, Sarah, and by jumping on stage at live punk shows, displaying more bravery to the rest of the members.

Jack’s relationship with mom and dad becomes increasingly strained. He stays out late and rebels for the first time, enjoying his freedom and wild experimentation. The faculty at St. Andy’s—wanting to dismantle the cult hero status of The Crew on campus—organize a coup. They plan to nail the perceived leader: Jack Donnigan, who’s been conned by Cannonball. Meanwhile, Sarah and Jack decide to run away to Jack’s uncle’s in San Francisco, flee their small town and live “real life.” Jack’s mentor is his beloved but unconventional English teacher, Mr. Bryce.

When the faculty nail Jack, Mr. Bryce does his best to save the floundering student. But when Jack is finally kicked out of his folks’ home, and Cannonball connives to drum up drama, stealing Sarah back by spreading a web of lies, who will save him from himself?

©2024 Michael Mohr (P)2024 Michael Mohr

The Crew is Fun and Relatable

The Crew is a fun read that connects you to the characters with great storytelling from the perspective of an intelligent teenager, Jack Donnigan (aka Dog). Though Jack is naive and inexperienced, Mohr maintains our respect for him as he grows into his independence. Jack’s desire to be “a good kid” ultimately yields to his need to be his authentic self. I identified with the era, music, and events described in the book in much the same way I related to S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders: there’s part of me in that book as well.