SOLVED. YA Suspense book about a new boy in school that is bullied and has dark hair and torn clothing. [s]

[Larry]

The book was told from the perspective of a young boy in High School. I believe the book started with him riding a bike through town. He has one friend who I believe is a girl. A new boy arrives at school who is a bit grungy with long black hair and ripped clothing. He is instantly bullied. His father is on the run from the law. There is a climax at a quarry where the new boy fights a bully.

[Capn]

Approximately when did you read this, Larry? :) And in which country? (I don't suppose you remember where in the world the book was meant to be set? Or if it has British or American spelling conventions?).

There's a list that may have it:
YA Bullying: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...

[Larry]

I read this book in 2007. In the USA. I cannot remember exactly where the book was set. I know the book is based in the USA as well. It was not on the list but thank you for sharing. I know bullying was a part of the story but it was not the main focus. It is definitely more about judging a book by the cover and becoming friends with someone you would not expect. I remember the cover being yellow with a black silhouette of the long-haired boy.

[Capn]

So something that looks like something like this?
?

Or was it just his head/bust? Like:


I'll have a scan through the Silhouette covers lists (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... , https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5... , profiles: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...)

EDIT: I didn't see it. I've learned quite a lot from this exercise, though:
1. You could make a whole list just with dark silhouettes on yellow backgrounds
2. Men are seriously underrepresented as subjects for silhouette covers!

[Larry]

Thank you, everyone. I found it.

Plague Year
Book by Stephanie S. Tolan

[Capn]

Well found! :)

Plague Year for the link