In this sequel to Pj Perez's teen adventure series THE UTOPIAN, nine months have passed since the death of James Douglas, the Sagebrush High School student who secretly crusaded for social justice in the guise of The Utopian-and the community is still feeling the impact of his sacrifice.
James' friends Michelle Matterson and Sean Palmer are trying to find their footing as freshmen at Valley University. His former adversary, Sagebrush Principal Richard Praglin, has become one of the founders of The Utopian Foundation, a nonprofit inspired by James' legacy.
Sagebrush faculty and students prepare for a gala celebrating the opening of the Foundation's James M. Douglas Center for Conflict Resolution. But the launch of the Center is plagued by ghosts: Terrence "T-Rex" Smith's former gang affiliation, Luis Aguila's adjustment to life in a wheelchair, and unknown to anyone, the boiling rage of Danielle Perry, whose younger brother's death she blames on The Utopian.