Quick,
Matthew. 2012. BOY21. New York: Little Brown. ISBN 9780316127974
[Suggested Grade Level 7 – 12]
REVIEW
Finley finds refuge in basketball; in the repetitive beat of the
ball on the gym floor, the swish of the basket. In that rhythm he drowns out
the loss of his mother, the strife of his family and the presence of
neighborhood gangs. Basketball is Finley’s world until he meets Russ, or BOY21
as he prefers to be called. “I am BOY21 from the cosmos. I am stranded here on
Earth, but I will be leaving soon.” In the face of a horrific tragedy, Russ has
retreated from stark reality and to the stars. Placed in the role of protector
and friend, Finley helps bring BOY21 back to Earth.
Told in gritty terse tones, BOY21 is a coming to grips with coming
to age story, set in a place where there are no answers but those you create
for yourself.
CONNECITONS
There are many ways that people handle tragedy. BOY21’s method was
extreme, but so were Finley’s. Discuss the stages of grief and ways they are
represented (or not) in BOY21 by comparing the two characters.
RELATED
BOOKS
Other young adult novels with resilient male protagonists:Chbosky, Stephen. THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER. ISBN 9781451696202
Sonnenblick, Jordan. DRUMS, GIRLS, & DANGEROUS PIE. ISBN 9780439755191
Saenz, Benjamin Alire. LAST NIGHT I SANG TO THE MONSTER. ISBN 9781933693583
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