Boy 21 by Matthew Quick
Basketball is almost everything to Finley. He lives in Bellmont, a poverty-ridden, mob-ruled hole near Philadelphia, where he works out almost constantly with his basketball playing Irish girlfriend Erin. Finley has been the starting point guard for the past two seasons, and has somewhat realistic hopes to lead his squad to a state championship. But before the start of his senior year, Finley's coach asks him a huge favor. A new senior is moving in, but there is a big secret that must be kept: the new kid is Russell Allen, a nationally known high school hoopster who is talented enough to skip college and jump straight to the NBA. But Russell isn't his name anymore. He's now calling himself Boy21, and he believes he is from outer space. Russell's parents were murdered in LA, and he has moved in with his grandparents in Bellmont. Coach says no one can know who the boy is, and Coach asks Finley to stay close to Boy21 as he transitions to the new school, regardless of whether Boy21 decides to play basketball for the school.
Author Matthew Quick, who wrote the adult novel The Silver Linings Playbook and the young adult novel Sorta Like A Rock Star, has crafted a wonderful, emotional novel that hits most of the right chords. The sports aspect and male protagonists will appeal to young men; the strong female lead Erin is someone young women will look up to. Like Rock Star, Boy21 seems to have a somewhat implausible ending, however in Boy21 the resolution works out more believably. More importantly, Finley and Boy21 are easy to root for-- they're good guys who, despite not wanting to talk much, are able to say a lot about their individual losses, heartache, and family. This is the rare book where two male athletes talk honestly about their feelings, or at least think about them on the page as neither Boy21 nor Finley are very talkative.
Quick hides key facts long enough to keep readers guessing as to some of the character's motives, which gives the story a bit of mystery. At 250 thin pages, this will get much wider circulation than Rock Star did. With Boy21, Quick has a definite all-star of a book (of course the sports cliche had to come at some point). Highly recommended for middle or high school.
Author Matthew Quick, who wrote the adult novel The Silver Linings Playbook and the young adult novel Sorta Like A Rock Star, has crafted a wonderful, emotional novel that hits most of the right chords. The sports aspect and male protagonists will appeal to young men; the strong female lead Erin is someone young women will look up to. Like Rock Star, Boy21 seems to have a somewhat implausible ending, however in Boy21 the resolution works out more believably. More importantly, Finley and Boy21 are easy to root for-- they're good guys who, despite not wanting to talk much, are able to say a lot about their individual losses, heartache, and family. This is the rare book where two male athletes talk honestly about their feelings, or at least think about them on the page as neither Boy21 nor Finley are very talkative.
Quick hides key facts long enough to keep readers guessing as to some of the character's motives, which gives the story a bit of mystery. At 250 thin pages, this will get much wider circulation than Rock Star did. With Boy21, Quick has a definite all-star of a book (of course the sports cliche had to come at some point). Highly recommended for middle or high school.
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