It has already received some serious starred reviews from several major professional publication. But I do think this books lacks clearer focus and a better overreaching story arc.Īs often is with these things, I am a little baffled by the overwhelmingly positive critical reception of Boy21. I admire Quick and some passages in Boy21 made my eyes tingle. I do not want to take away from the merits of this novel.

The main point of the story is just lost.

I feel like Boy21 is a case of the writer having his fingers in too many (idea) pots. In the end, only maybe 25% of the book is about friendship, and the rest - just everything else. The book that was supposed to be about Boy21 (you would assume, judging by the title) and about the friendship bonds between the two boys is diluted and often overshadowed by the side plots - Irish mob, Finley's girlfriend and family problems. To my disappointment, this conflict never really comes to the front of this novel, never develops to its full potential, never impacts the characters as strongly as it could and should have. There is a very interesting conflict here: Should Finley encourage Boy21 to play, knowing that he will for sure take his place on the team? Should he sacrifice his own dreams in order to save his new friend, because maybe basketball indeed has a power to heal Boy21, bring him back from the imaginary escape world he exists in now? What is more important - your friend's well-being or your own ? And also guide him back into playing basketball, because, among other things, what Boy21 had lost is his passion for the game.

Finley is entrusted to guard and partner with Boy21 in school. Enter Boy21, another damaged young boy, a rising basketball star, who suffers from a mental breakdown after the death of his parents. His goal for his last school year is just to be on the team and play well. Finley's most favorite occupation, his therapy of sorts, is basketball. Imagine Finley, a reserved high school senior with some serious darkness in his past, whose only friend is his girlfriend/soulmate Erin. While I agree that at some point in life you do meet that special person who becomes your partner in everything, up until that point it is friends that help you out, support you, accompany you through life.įriendship, the healing, supporting, non-judgmental type of friendship, is what Boy21 is about. For some strange reason, romantic relationships are promoted as more important. There is not nearly enough YA books about friendships.

What is wonder boy on area 21