Missouri Boy is an autobiographical graphic novel written and illustrated by Leland Myrick.

The book opens with a prologue set in 1961, titled "Ghost Umbilical", in which Myrick and his twin brother are born.

The chapter consists of two pages, and shows Myrick's father receiving a large chair.

At night the family (including Myrick's two older brothers) assembles around a tree to set off the fireworks.

The family goes to court where Myrick's oldest brother is sentenced to ten years in prison for robbery.

Myrick and some friends hang off the edge of a five-story parking garage in order to impress some girls.

One chapter of the book, titled "Paper Airplanes", was published in the anthology Happy Endings, by Dark Horse Comics in 2002.

[1] Missouri Boy was praised for its "vibrant imagery", realistic art, and "powerful moments".

[3] Reviewers drew comparisons to Chester Brown's I Never Liked You, and John Porcellino's Perfect Example in terms of subject matter.

[4] A reviewer in VOYA said the facial drawing and expression was "rudimentary", but also that the "simplistic style works best for the story.

"[5] The American Library Association named Missouri Boy on its top ten graphic novels for youth in 2007.