This Wasn’t Lean on Me: Coming of Age in The Shadows of Joe Clark (1985-1989)

About the Book

Most people know Eastside High School through the movie Lean On Me. They know Joe Clark—the principal, the baseball bat, the chains on the doors, and the Hollywood version of the story.

But they didn’t know the students.

This Wasn’t Lean On Me: Coming of Age in the Shadows of Joe Clark (1985–1989) tells the story from inside the hallways of Eastside High School during one of the most controversial chapters in American education.

Through the eyes of a Dominican teenager growing up in Paterson, New Jersey during the 1980s, Wilson Santos shares an honest and unfiltered account of adolescence surrounded by poverty, violence, gangs, family struggles, friendship, first love, loss, and survival.

At its heart, this memoir asks a timeless question:

How much of who we become is shaped by the world around us, and how much is determined by the choices we make when we finally have the power to choose?

Why I Wrote This Book

I wasn’t supposed to become a writer.

Growing up in that environment, there were many moments when my life could have taken a very different path. I could have become another statistic — another story of potential lost to the streets.

For years, I carried these memories with me. The people. The mistakes. The lessons. The ones who made it out, and the ones who didn’t.

This book is not about blaming the past. It’s about understanding it.

I didn’t choose the environment I grew up in.

But eventually, I chose what I would do with my life.

What People Are Saying

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“I absolutely loved This Is Not Lean on Me. It was one of those books that hooked me from the beginning and was so easy to get through. The writing style was simple and engaging, making it a quick read without taking away from the depth of the story. The characters felt real and relatable, and the emotions throughout the book stayed with me long after I finished it. It had the perfect balance of heart, honesty, and moments that made me stop and reflect. If you’re looking for a book that’s captivating, meaningful, and hard to put down, I highly recommend this one. I finished it wanting more and would definitely read it again.” Divina (Amazon Reviewer)

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“What a great read. Loved the perspective of the real experience . The story was interesting to read because you get a real feeling of what shaped Wilson and the why he became part of the problem . I like how real his feelings were described . For those who didn’t know how that Dominican street gang culture from how ppl got their names to the feeling of power these kids felt. The fact that Wilson overcame the lifestyle and the knowing that he was meant for more.” Ivette (Amazon Reviewer)

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“As someone who lived through those times I can say Wilson captured the true spirit and complexity of that time perfectly. But you don’t have to know the history of Eastside High School to be gripped by this book, and his personal journey was described with such honesty and vulnerability yet very inspiring. This is the kind of book that you can’t put down until you’re done! I highly recommend it.” Lisandra (Amazon Reviewer)