MODULE 10: Paperboy

Genre:

Historical Fiction

Book Summary:

Set in segregated Memphis, Paperboy is the story of the narrator’s experiences as he takes over his friend Rat’s paper route in the summer of 1959. This is a daunting task for Little Man, whose name is not revealed until the end because he stutters and dreads having to talk with his customers. However, Little Man, who throws a mean fast ball, feels obligated, after busting Rat’s lip with a baseball. He meets several of the customers on his route including Mr. Spiro, a merchant marine who helps with his stutter. He also has a run-in with Ara, the local junk man, despite warnings from his African-American nanny, Mam, who must protect Little Man from the deranged man. This incident prompts Little Man to write the story using his trusty typewriter.

APA Reference of Book:

Vawter, V. (2013). Paperboy. New York: Delacorte Books.

Impressions:

Little Man narrates like he thinks so there are no commas which is a little distracting at first. However, once you get used to it and realize he stutters when he speaks, it makes sense and becomes part of the story. We do not find out his name until the end because it is difficult for him to speak. Despite the violence at the end, this is a sweet story about friendship, perseverance, and overcoming obstacles. Little Man displays loyalty when he agrees to take over his friend’s paper route, mostly out of guilt for hitting Rat with a baseball. He is extremely nervous about the route, especially about having to talk to the customers. It turns out to be a great opportunity for Little Man after meeting a few of the customers who, in some way, help him with his affliction. The one who stands out is Mr. Spiro who takes a special interest in Little Man and gives him words to think about and help him overcome his stutter. Mr. Spiro is patient but persistent with Little Man until he is called back to the Merchant Marines. It is easy to forget that this book is set in 1959 but the underlying tension between Little Man, Mam, and Ara T keep this aspect in the forefront. Mam is more like a mother to Little Man and the scenes on the bus when she must sit in the back unless she is with Little Man remind the reader that this is a different time. The violent incident with Mam and Ara T show just how dedicated Mam is to Little Man and the bond that they have. This is a great book about racial tensions in the south and overcoming disabilities like stuttering.

Professional Review:

It is with some trepidation that the eleven-year-old narrator, who withholds his name until he completes his story, takes over his best friend’s paper route until the other boy returns from vacation. It’s not that pitching papers is too hard; he’s known among the local kids for his arm on the diamond. Afflicted with a severe stutter, he’s embarrassed and concerned about how he will communicate with customers when he makes the collection rounds—a weekly task back in 1959. The humble neighborhood route turns into something of a voyage of discovery for the boy, who normally keeps to himself. There’s the flirtatious attention of a young alcoholic housewife, a glimpse into the mysterious condition of a boy who sits at the TV with the sound turned off, a bachelor who lives among stacks of books and has a knack for helping the new paperboy control his stutter, and, in a darker turn, a junk collector who attacks and threatens the life of the black housekeeper who looks after the paperboy. The protagonist tells his tale in short paragraphs that capture the way he imagines his own fluent speech—articulate, economical, and completely devoid of commas, since there are already too many pauses in his actual speech. Confidence born of his weeks of accomplishment eases his stutter somewhat, and readers will offer quiet but heartfelt congratulations when he finally utters his own name, which begins with the letter most difficult for him to pronounce.

APA Reference of Professional Review:

Bush, E. (2013). Paperboy by Vince Vawter (review). Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 66(7), 355-356. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Library Uses:

After reading Paperboy, students can research and report on different disabilities.  

Readalikes:

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, by Dusti Bowling – Born without arms, Aven Green moves to Arizona with her adopted parents who are hired to run the western theme park Stagecoach Pass.

Fish in a Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt – Ally has been able to hide her secret until a new teacher discovers her dyslexia.

Mockingbird, by Kathryn Erskine – Mockingbird is the story about Caitlin who has Asperger’s and trying to piece her family back together after a tragic loss.