Bonham offers a sensitive portrait of the forces that can contribute to juvenile delinquency. Some readers may object to the novel's premise that there is no such thing as a "bad boy." Keeny is in many ways exonerated at the end of the novel, and Bonham clearly discounts the belief that more stringent punishments are the proper cure for current juvenile crime problems in large cities. But, without oversimplifying the matter, Bonham shows that Keeny has a strong desire and potential to lead a constructive life if given a chance. Viva Chicano seeks not to excuse juvenile offenders but to understand the causes of a problem that affects all of society, for understanding paves the way toward a viable solution.