Hello, and welcome to the first real post!
The Moves Make The Man was published in 1984. It tells the story of Jerome Foxworthy, a black kid. Set in the 60's, the work explores multiculturalism through the eyes of a Junior High student. Jerome's hometown is required to desegregate, so they expand the school district by one block. And guess who is the only black kid on that block? Yep. Jerome.
The work is full of sports: mostly basketball. Jerome lives and breathes basketball; he hates the summer when all the kids play baseball. But his opinion changes a little when he meets Bix. Bix is a shortstop, and the way he plays fascinates Jerome.
I could not take my eyes off that shortstop. He was the only kid I had ever seen who seemed to know with every part of himself just what to do on every single play. His feet were always placed just right to go along with his throwing motion or his gloving, his head was always turned the right way, his steps never left him on the wrong foot when he needed a jump or spin. (pg 21)
The boys eventually become best friends.
The book also examines family relationships. Jerome's father died when he was very young; he looks to his two older brothers as his examples. His mother plays a key role in the story as well. She is the wise, loving force of the family. The Foxworthys are a very close-knit happy family. Bix's family is a stark contrast to the Foxworthys. Bix is an only child. His mother is insane and lives in an asylum. Bix lives with his stepfather, who doesn't like him. All family scenes and conversations are full of tension and distrust. Both of the families learn and change throughout the book.
Themes of honesty, friendship, loyalty, and character are woven into this entertaining sports story.
Personally, I loved this book. It kept me hooked from the first chapter, and I stayed up until a ridiculous hour to finish it. It is remarkably well-written and funny. I absolutely recommend it.
The Moves Make The Man was published in 1984. It tells the story of Jerome Foxworthy, a black kid. Set in the 60's, the work explores multiculturalism through the eyes of a Junior High student. Jerome's hometown is required to desegregate, so they expand the school district by one block. And guess who is the only black kid on that block? Yep. Jerome.
The work is full of sports: mostly basketball. Jerome lives and breathes basketball; he hates the summer when all the kids play baseball. But his opinion changes a little when he meets Bix. Bix is a shortstop, and the way he plays fascinates Jerome.
I could not take my eyes off that shortstop. He was the only kid I had ever seen who seemed to know with every part of himself just what to do on every single play. His feet were always placed just right to go along with his throwing motion or his gloving, his head was always turned the right way, his steps never left him on the wrong foot when he needed a jump or spin. (pg 21)
The boys eventually become best friends.
The book also examines family relationships. Jerome's father died when he was very young; he looks to his two older brothers as his examples. His mother plays a key role in the story as well. She is the wise, loving force of the family. The Foxworthys are a very close-knit happy family. Bix's family is a stark contrast to the Foxworthys. Bix is an only child. His mother is insane and lives in an asylum. Bix lives with his stepfather, who doesn't like him. All family scenes and conversations are full of tension and distrust. Both of the families learn and change throughout the book.
Themes of honesty, friendship, loyalty, and character are woven into this entertaining sports story.
Personally, I loved this book. It kept me hooked from the first chapter, and I stayed up until a ridiculous hour to finish it. It is remarkably well-written and funny. I absolutely recommend it.
Word of Caution: One instance of attempted suicide by a minor character.
Read it if you love sports, boys, humor, and real life stories.
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