Vernon God Little follows an intelligent teenager, innocently accused of capital murder, on his adventures through the penal and legal system. He briefly escapes to Acapulco into the arms of a lover, who brays him. The story shows reality television invading Death Row, and Vernon gaining a last second pardon through a remarkable series of phone calls to enemies and friends.

Vernon Little's life as a normal teenager falls apart, when his best friend, Jesus Navarro, murders their classmates in the schoolyard, and Vernon is taken in for questioning. He cooperates with Deputy Vain Gurie, because he had been running an errand for a teacher, Mr. Nuckles, and is not involved in the massacre. The perception of Vernon's innocence weakens, when Doris Little's best friend, the food-obsessed Palmyra (Pam,) arrives and, against Vernon's better judgment, whisks him off to Bar-B-Chew Barn, allowing the police to claim...