Author and filmmaker Ed Burns returns to his Long Island roots in his new novel, “The Marlboro Road Gang,” a coming-of-age story told through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy.

Set against the backdrop of a working-class Long Island summer, the book captures the freedom, friendships and everyday adventures that define adolescence, offering a nostalgic look at a time when the days seemed endless and the smallest moments could leave a lasting impression.

Drawing on the Long Island community that helped shape him, Burns brings an authentic sense of place to a story about growing up and the experiences that stay with us long after childhood ends.

Through the perspective of a young teenager navigating the joys and challenges of summer, “The Marlboro Road Gang” explores how friendships, family and the world around us influence the people we become.