The novel follows the story of Vernon Little, a 15-year-old living in the small town of Martirio, Texas. The novel begins in the aftermath of a school shooting where Vernon's friend Jesus Navarro kills 16 of their classmates before committing suicide. Despite having no involvement in the shooting, Vernon becomes the prime suspect and target of the town's anger and suspicion. A media frenzy ensues, with a manipulative reporter named Eulalio Ledesma (Lally) arriving to supposedly help clear Vernon's name but instead exploiting the situation for his own gain. Vernon's mother also gets caught up in the media circus, pursuing fame and a relationship with Lally. As events spiral out of control, Vernon is forced to go on the run, eventually crossing the border into Mexico. Throughout his ordeal, Vernon maintains a cynical and foul-mouthed narrative voice that satirizes American consumerism, the media's sensationalism of tragedies, and the harsh realities of adolescent life.

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