Mean Little People

Tony Bruno is like any other seven-year-old boy . . . he wants to have fun and be accepted by his peers. But the boys in Tony's school bully him unmercifully, until one day, they almost kill him. His father is embarrassed by Tony's inability to defend himself and tries to beat and berate the mean into his son. Tony's only moments of peace were found in the arms of his mother, but she was no match for her husband and could not protect her son. One day Tony's tormentors push him too far. Possessed by blind rage Tony fights back with a vengeance, tipping the balance of power, and taking his rightful place among his peers. Years later Tony notices the new kid, Salvatore being tormented by the class bully. Tony didn't know that Salvatore's father was a powerful man, and instinctively rushes into the fight and protects Salvatore. This act of kindness forges a bond creating a lifetime friendship of trust and loyalty. One night Salvatore commits a horrific crime, and Tony being a devoted friend, pays the consequences. While in juvenile detention Tony is assaulted and the acts of cruelty harden him. Back on the outside with no place to go, Tony does what's needed to survive. After leaving his street gang, Tony becomes a made man inside the Philadelphia mob family where he has a sense of belonging. With resolute allegiance and conviction to the mafia, Tony cherishes being part of a real family, one much stronger than those with a bloodline. This is a story about a boy born into poverty and destined to become a mobster. Tony Bruno loves as hard as he hates and protects as quickly as he kills. Some see Tony as a criminal and others see him as a hero . . . but you must decide for yourself if Tony falls on the side of good or evil. NOTE: Mean Little People was previously titled Born Mobster. The content remains the same. "It is addicting. Mean Little People reminded me of Karin Slaughter's Pretty Girls. I like authors that are not afraid to tackle subjects with straightforward rawness that they infuse in their prose." r "This is a wonderful piece of writing, and definitely a memorable story. This is one of those books that you will still be thinking about, long after finishing it." "This is a tale of abuse, betrayal, and the desperate quest for redemption and acceptance in a world that let one more child down. Read it, try to tell me you are not affected." "A unique novel with dark undertones. Paige is a master at revealing the underbelly of society and providing not only a good read, but also a lesson in morality."