The State Boys Rebellion

The State Boys Rebellion by Michael D’Antonio, published by Simon & Schuster on April 20, 2004, is a compelling exposé that delves into the mid-twentieth-century practice of identifying and institutionalizing children based on low IQ scores. This first edition spans 320 pages and recounts the experiences of a group of boys at the Fernald State School in Massachusetts, who successfully fought for their freedom only to uncover the unsettling truth about their involvement in Cold War experiments.

Readers will find a detailed account of the boys’ struggle against institutionalization and the broader implications of their fight for autonomy. The narrative highlights themes of local history and insurgency, shedding light on the societal attitudes towards children deemed “different” during that era. Through this exploration, the book presents a critical view of the intersection between education, mental health, and civil rights in the United States.