The Boy Who Hit Back

Matthew Wasn’t Always a Problem Child, But Now He’s Screwing Up… Big Time

After Matthew's parents’ marriage collapsed and his brother and father both disappeared, this once-popular high school kid learned how to act out: fighting, stealing, skipping school, and generally tearing his world to pieces. But when Matthew runs away to the seductive streets of Greenwich Village, he becomes fascinated with a mysterious panhandler called Sailor Barlow. Barlow offers him a life of freedom and release he never imagined, and when Matthew discovers a dark secret about Barlow, the youth convinces himself that he’s the only one who can save his new friend—even if he has to risk everything to do it. As Matthew descends ever-deeper into New York City’s terrifying underworld—a hellhole full of liars, cheats, thugs, and murderers—he must use his newfound fierce cunning to his advantage if he wants to survive. Can Matthew claw his way back from the brink of destruction? Or will Sailor Barlow draw him so deep into his own dark world that he drowns? Fans of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, and Hatchet by Gary Paulsen are sure to love this inspiring coming-of-age novel.

Peter Wood has long been acknowledged as a heavyweight champion of boxing literature. His novel, To Swallow a Toad, featuring an introspective and emotionally-damaged teenager entering a boxing tournament earned him a devoted following and reams of critical acclaim. To Swallow a Toad was later optioned for film by producer Steve Nicoleides. Because of Toad's success, it was re-released in 2008 with the title-Confessions of a Fighter. Peter, a tough middleweight Golden Gloves Finalist in Madison Square Garden, was asked to represent America in the 1976 Maccabean Games held in Tel Aviv, Israel. He declined and decided to begin hitting the books instead. He graduated from Fordham University in 1976 with a B.A. in Communications; Ohio State in 1984 with a B.S. in Education, and The College of New Rochelle with a M.S. in School Administration in 1990. But Peter was always writing. His follow-up book, A Clenched Fist, written with the same honest, hardcore prose he is known for, was completed while teaching English, and coaching football, baseball, and boxing at White Plains High School. In 2012, he made his Off-Broadway acting debut in Kid Shamrock at The TADA Theater, and in 2017 he appeared in the New York City indie film, The Expediter. In addition to acting, Peter has written two full-length plays, Candy Bars and Our Similarities Are Different-both produced in regional theatre in Westchester, New York. Peter also switched canvases, becoming a painter who has enjoyed numerous art shows in Manhattan, Easthampton, NY, and the Midwest. One of Peter's paintings was featured in the Katonah Museum of Art. Peter and his work have appeared in a variety of media outlets including a guest column in The New York Times, interviews on ESPN, and on The Sally Jessie Raphael Show, WOR's The Joey Reynolds Show, and WFUV. His articles have appeared in Commonweal, America, Ring, Boxing Illustrated, Westchester Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Proof, Boxing.com and TheSweetScience.com. His feature article in Sporting Classics has been anthologized in its 25th Anniversary leather-bound edition featuring their 40 finest pieces of writing. Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, Peter is married to his artist wife, Susan, they have a talented daughter, Zoe, who is now a proud Bowdoin College graduate.