D'N'D

About the Book

It is the early 1980’s. The nice suburban North Bronx neighborhood of Baychester inches downward. Its courage and self-pride wane. Burglaries and gang activity increase. Murders, unintentional or plotted, are up. The police who care are discouraged. Crack-cocaine proliferates, particularly among the young.

But the neighborhood is D’N’D (deaf and dumb), minding its own business and keeping its collective mouth shut. Avoiding retaliation. Avoiding its own conscience.

One ninth grader ignores the rule and loses his life.

Hollis Gault, an eighth grader—formerly D’N’D—surprises even himself and opens his mouth. He and his family are now in the crosshairs.

About the Author

RUDY GRAY is an award-winning playwright and former Bronx junior high school teacher. A Ph.D. in Drama, he now teaches Thematic Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He’s a member/Playwright of The Workshop Theater Company in NYC, the Writers Guild of America, East, and The Dramatists Guild.