Boy21 in Mock Printz 2026

Apr 16, 2012 Becky rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, bromance

This book is getting a lot of buzzzz. I liked it, but I did not LOVE it, like I loved Matthew Quick's last book. Is it awards material? Maybe. I don't know. I love these lines, though:
"Someday an opportunity will come. Think about Harry Potter. His life is terrible, but then a letter arrives, he gets on a train, and everything is different for him afterward. Better. Magical."
"That's just a story."
"So are we--we're stories too."
Librarians love it when authors reference the power of stories in the ...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Barbara rated it really liked it

Shelves: bullies

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Brains and athletic prowess have long been touted as avenues for social and economic mobility. For Finley McManus, basketball promises to help him leave behind the neighborhood where he grew up. Divided between the Irish mob and African-American drug-runners, Bellmont is not a pretty place, and Finley and his basket-playing girlfriend dream of escaping its violence and poverty. When his basketball coach enlists Finley's help in supporting a transfer student from California, the athlete does as h Brains and athletic prowess have long been touted as avenues for social and economic mobility. For Finley McManus, basketball promises to help him leave behind the neighborhood where he grew up. Divided between the Irish mob and African-American drug-runners, Bellmont is not a pretty place, and Finley and his basket-playing girlfriend dream of escaping its violence and poverty. When his basketball coach enlists Finley's help in supporting a transfer student from California, the athlete does as his coach asks, even though it may mean that he will lose his own starting position on the team. Russ, who prefers to be called Boy21, is recovering from the murder of his parents, and claims to be an extraterrestrial. As the boys grow closer, the similarities in their lives become more readily apparent. While Russ spins elaborate an elaborate space fantasy, Finley remains silent, failing to stand up even when classmates pile carrots on his plate at lunch because his nickname is White Rabbit and when his girlfriend is disrespected by others. A tragedy involving Erin causes Finley to lose interest in everything else in his life. The author's exploration of love, loss, and second chances will remind readers of the power of hope and the coping mechanisms used by the human mind and heart as they heal. For me, the first two-thirds of the book are exceptionally strong, but the title uses steam once Erin disappears. While the long-reaching arms of kingpins who rule over communities frozen by fear that extends over generations and guarantees silence is described clearly here, I was saddened once Finley realizes the price his own family has paid for their mistakes. Although I hope for the best for Erin and Finley, I'm not sure how safe they will be in the end or how realistic it is to hope for a happy ending in their case. As Finley makes his escape, thanks to mob money, I wonder how long it will be before someone comes to collect what is owed. This provocative title is sure to inspire much debate about the choices each of the characters makes. Wow! The book's layers allow the characters to be drawn in a complex fashion as readers--and characters--discover small and large truths throughout the pages. ...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Mark rated it really liked it

Shelves: coming-of-age, relationships, young-adult-literature, sports, death-and-dying

"I know I'm probably not going to play college ball anywhere, not even at the division-three level. I'm a role player on my team, not a star. I'm okay with that. But Erin has a real chance to make a good college team and earn a scholarship, which is another reason I love training and playing off-season b-ball so much: It's a chance to help Erin.

We just want to get the hell out of this town somehow - together - and Erin's basketball career might be our best shot. We talk about leaving Bellmont al "I know I'm probably not going to play college ball anywhere, not even at the division-three level. I'm a role player on my team, not a star. I'm okay with that. But Erin has a real chance to make a good college team and earn a scholarship, which is another reason I love training and playing off-season b-ball so much: It's a chance to help Erin.

We just want to get the hell out of this town somehow - together - and Erin's basketball career might be our best shot. We talk about leaving Bellmont all the time, moving past the history of our families, breaking free. We've seen too many people make mistakes and get stuck here - like Erin's brother, Rod, and my pop did."

Finley and his girlfriend, Erin, are entering their senior year in Bellmont, a once-better town near Philadelphia, that has become a power center for the Irish mob. Finley and Erin both start for their respective teams, and they both completely dedicate themselves to their sport, to the point that they even "break up" each time basketball season begins, so that they can focus solely on their games. Before the season begins, Finley's coach (whom he deeply respects, and always listens to) asks Finley if he can keep a secret, and do him a favor. A new student will be arriving at Bellmont, a highly-recruited basketball superstar from LA, whose parents were murdered the previous year. Since that tragedy, Russ has been in group homes, therapy, and is coming to live with his grandparents in Bellmont, under a new name, so that the national media won't locate him. Coach wants Finley to look out for Russ, but also to encourage him to come back to basketball, because Coach thinks it will help him readjust better. Finley wonders if it's also because Russ can help the team win state.

When Finley meets Russ, it's apparent that Russ will need significant help adjusting to Bellmont, and to reality. Russ suffers from severe post-traumatic stress, and his coping mechanism is to adopt an emotionless personality, claiming that he is an extraterrestrial sent to Earth to study emotions, and wait for his parents to bring him back to outer space with them. While Finley can't imagine how he's helping Russ, if at all, the fact that Finley gives Russ space, listens to him, and is generally a very good and kind person, allows Russ to feel more comfortable with this new friendship. Finley thinks that the alien guise that Russ has adopted is just a front, but he's not going to push the issue with Russ. As basketball season draws closer, though, Coach begins to pressure Finley to make sure Russ comes out for the team. And once Russ reveals his true basketball skills in a game, his cover is blown, and the relationship between he and Finley is seriously tested.

This is only about half the plot of this book, and I don't want to reveal spoilers. Suffice it to say that Finley's own past is dark, and the relationship with his family and Erin's reveals the history and strain of Bellmont's past. Finley's narrative voice is simple, clear and exceptionally honest; there is no way you can genuinely not like this kid, and you will find yourself desperately rooting for him to get out of that bleak town, along with Erin. But the town's history will make that difficult. And for me, the way the families' histories came to play into the storyline, while interesting, prevented me from giving this a higher rating. The plot becomes a little crowded in the book's second half, and while it's clear that Russ and Finley both have their own personal journeys to travel, I felt that if Quick had revealed a little more context earlier in the novel, the second half wouldn't have felt as jumbled for me. In addition, the way in which Finley's coach effectively coerces him to watch out for Russ in the first place bothered me a lot. That being said, these are relatively minor points, and this is an incredible book - full of emotion, well-drawn characters, and sharp basketball scenes that will appeal to the most reluctant reading sports fan. I'm still thinking about these characters days after finishing the book, which says a lot to me. ...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Terri rated it it was amazing

"Boy21" by Matthew Quick has been on my radar for quite some time. I picked up an ARC of the book at the International Reading Association Conference (I think) almost two years ago. It's been in my ever-growing pile for quite some time. When it was nominated for a 2013 Los Angeles Times Book Prize, I knew I needed to read it. Last year "A Monster Calls," my vote for the book of the year, was nominated for a Los Angeles Times Book Prize - when the Printz committee didn't even give it a nod - and "Boy21" by Matthew Quick has been on my radar for quite some time. I picked up an ARC of the book at the International Reading Association Conference (I think) almost two years ago. It's been in my ever-growing pile for quite some time. When it was nominated for a 2013 Los Angeles Times Book Prize, I knew I needed to read it. Last year "A Monster Calls," my vote for the book of the year, was nominated for a Los Angeles Times Book Prize - when the Printz committee didn't even give it a nod - and then went on to win the Carnegie Medal. The Los Angeles Times gets it right, in my estimation. Their nominations also led me to reading "My Book of Life by Angel" by Martine Leavitt. Another stellar book.

Set in an urban area in Pennsylvania, "Boy21" focuses on the life of the protagonist, Finley (called "White Rabbit" by his classmates). Finley is the only white (and Irish) boy on the school's basketball team in a school that is largely black. He lives with his father and cares for his ailing grandfather who is missing both legs. During the summer before his senior year, Finley's basketball coach comes to him and confidentially tells him the story of Russell Allen, a basketball phenom from a private school in Los Angeles where he was the only black boy on an all white basketball team. His parents were recently murdered. He has moved to Pennsylvania to live with his grandparents and will be attending Finley's school in the fall. The coach asks Finley to take Russell, AKA Russ Washington, under his wings. He is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and says he's an extra-terrestrial from outer space who has come here to study human emotions. He claims that his parents will be coming to claim him soon. Finley agrees, though he knows that his own starting position on the team is at risk should Russel eventually agree to play basketball again. He loves basketball as much as his Irish girlfriend, Erin, who is a basketball phenom in her own right. We find that Russell and Finley have much in common.

"Boy21" is a character driven story, which will appeal to girls, with enough action to appeal to boys as well. I felt the ending needed more time and resolution, especially with the introduction of the Irish mob thing. It probably would have been helpful to have more herrings throughout the book to get the reader to this point. The ending may not have felt so abrupt. I also would have liked more in terms of the resolution of Russell/Boy21 and his issues (the book is named after him after all).

Themes include the issue of urban decline, racism, drug abuse, urban conflict and violence, coming of age, self-sacrifice, hard work (though hard work doesn't always get you what you want), family bonds, love, gangs, and loss. It can be read through many lenses. As a librarian, I know this book would appeal to teens - and can't wait to booktalk it. I imagine black and white young men would read the story differently. I imagine that females and males would read it differently. As a parent, the ending, the letting go of a child, was particularly moving to me.

"Boy21" is an unusual, beautiful book worthy of its recognition. It is a quick read, devoid of language, sex, and on screen violence. It will appeal to many readers. As a result, I think it would be a fantastic read aloud. Highly, highly recommended. ...more

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Mar 04, 2012 Doret rated it really liked it

Finley McManus lives in the small Pennsylvania town of Bellmont with his father and grandfather (Pop). The town is ruled by the Irish mob and the McManus men have suffered for it since Finley was a little boy. The two things Finley has to keep him going are his girlfriend Erin and basketball. The only white boy on team, his teammates call him White Rabbit. Going into his senior year, all Finley wants to do his play basketball and plan his escape from Bellmont with Erin. His plans are changed whe ...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Ellen rated it liked it

A curious read - between the spacey cover, and the basketball subject matter, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I came away with was a fairly decent buddy book, centered around the boys' shared love of basketball and family tragedy. What didn't quite work was Finley's overly dramatic, and somewhat unbelievable family history. ...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Gail rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, contemporary-fiction, 2012

There is so much more to this book than the summary lets on. I cried at the end (but I'm way over emotional lately). This is not a sports story, or a racial story, but a story about the lives three teens lead. Its hard to sum up because there is so much to it. I really enjoyed it. ...more

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Dec 19, 2012 Ricki rated it really liked it

Finley is the only white kid on his school's basketball team. When Coach asks him a favor to help a new kid adjust to the school and the team, he has to say yes. But Russ isn't normal--he thinks he is from outer space and calls himself Boy21.

This is a page-turner. Finley learns a lot about himself and his place in the mafia-controlled, dead-end town of Belmont. Quick is an outstanding author and readers are sure to find something new and thought-provoking in this one. ...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Chrissy rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, ya, sports

3.5 stars

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May 05, 2012 Julia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: appropriate-for-middle-school, appropriate-for-high-school, friendship-school, death-grief, violence, crime, 2012-best-books, sports, teen-drama

I give this book 5 stars despite a somewhat weak opening - the pacing is a little slow for the intended audience in my opinion. It explores the skills needed to survive trauma, particularly in a dangerous neighborhood. There is teen drama here, but it's understated, which makes it all the more powerful. An amazing read for any teen, but of special interest to basketball fans and fans of gritty urban life. Definately a Printz contender in my opinion. ...more

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