Reviewer Fran Lewis:
Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing
Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters degrees and
a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently. She is a member of
Who's Who of America's Teachers and Who's
Who of America's Executives from Cambridge. In addition,
she is the author of three children's books and a fourth Alzheimer’s
book is Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey: Ruth’s story
in honor of her mom. Fran
hopes to create more awareness for a cure of Alzheimer.
She
was also the musical director for shows in her school and ran the
school's newspaper. Fran writes reviews for authors upon request and
for several other sites. You can read some of my reviews on Ezine.com
and on ijustfinished under
the name Gabina.
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Author: Richard Doster
Publisher: David C. Cook
ISBN-10: 1434700100
Richard Doster reminds us of how far we have come, and how far we still need to go. And how nice it would be to embrace our differences—of race, color and creed
Author: Richard Doster
Publisher: David C. Cook
ISBN-10: 1434700100
Click Here To Purchase Safe at Home: A Novel
Percy Jackson is a 17-year-old third-baseman who has a battling average that any major leaguer would envy. He has a great swing, can pitch and is an all around player. But, he has a major strike against him. He is black. Back in 1953, in the small town of Whitney where everyone knew everyone’s business, having a black man on the town’s baseball team was unheard of.
In 1953 prejudice is a disease as deadly as Aids. It spread
through small, Southern towns, igniting fear and wreaking havoc.
Which brings me to my review of Richard Doster’s debut novel. The
story sheds light on an important issue: Does the color of your skin
make you a better person, and in this case a baseball player? Why do
we judge people by their outer shells, and not by what’s inside?
How sad that many people felt that they could not mingle and become
friends with those of other races. How sad that they missed out on
many new friendships that they could have enjoyed for a
lifetime.
Jack Hall watched Percy Jackson at practice
one afternoon and wrote a sidebar in the Whitney Herald, the
paper he worked for, sparking a chain reaction that would stir up
this small town and create a wedge among friends, neighbors and even
family members. But this is a mere taste of what’s in store when
Percy Jackson comes to play for the Whitney Bobcats, a last ditch
effort to save the financially struggling team.
Charley,
the coach of the Bobcats; Jack Hall, the reporter; Rick Dolan, the
owner of the team and many others think long and hard about a
solution for saving the team. Raising ticket prices, charging for
parking and raising the price of concession—none of this will cover
the costs of keeping team alive. But a black player would draw new
fans, and increased ticket sales are the team’s only salvation. The
Bobcats sign Percy Jackson and hope for the best.
Town
meetings, discussions and one-on-one conversations don’t sway or
convince opponents, including Jack’s wife Rose Marie, who’s
dead-set against it (you will have to read to find out why).
It is baseball and it is a great sport. I loved watching the
Yankee’s play at the stadium in the Bronx. I rooted for the home
team and was proud to say that I came from the South Bronx. I played
punch ball and kickball—in the street and at the park—where no
one ever cared whether you were black or white. If you wanted to
play, you were included. My Dad coached the teams, and everyone
played.
Whitney was not the South Bronx, and the people
there had a lot to overcome. The end of the story may surprise you.
Families and friends are ripped apart and friendships die. Violence
erupts and a small town is changed forever—as is Jack Hall and his
family.
Author Richard Doster takes us back to a time
where people of different races did not mingle. They ate in their
designated areas and sat in different parts of the bus. He tells the
story of one small town, where one man—Jack Hall—and one young
Negro, a 17-year-old boy, have to endure the criticism, racial slurs
and indignations inflicted on them. As Percy Jackson comes to bat or
is about to pitch a ball, he hears the jeers, cheers, and comments
made by fans. Jackson is a rare young man, able to tune out the
malevolent crowd. He does not outwardly show his feelings or let
anyone know that he is hurt. But, that’s not all he has to
endure.
Jack Hall is a man with a mission, and so are
the manager of the team, Charley, and the mayor, and many
others—realizing that without Percy and the new fans he brings, the
Bobcats will face financial ruin. If big cities have major league
Negro players, like Willie Mays, Jackie Robinsons and Hank Aaron,
then the minor league teams must follow. But no everyone is that open
minded, including Percy’s teammates.
Words
are powerful. They can build a man up, or tear him down. Jack Hall
had a job to do. He had to make the public understand that Percy
Jackson was more than a great baseball player, but a special young
man too. Would he be able to change the way people viewed Percy and
other Negro players? Would he convince the city council to allow
Negroes to play? Or would they ban them?
The riots that
ensued, and the destruction of the homes of two families helped to
bind them together. What does happen in Whitney? Do things ever
change? Where do Rose Marie, Chris and Jack wind up and where does
Percy finally find a home in baseball? You have to read the events
for yourself to understand the gravity and lengths that ignore people
that are single minded will go to hurt those who only want to enjoy
life and become a part of America’s favorite past time
baseball.
Walter Jackson, Percy’s father and a teacher
at the local “colored” school took a right turn and bumped into
Jack Hall. It was a chance meeting that would forever rock the small
town of Whitney, and change the lives of so many people.
Richard
Doster reminds us of how far we have come, and how far we still need
to go. And how nice it would be to embrace our differences—of race,
color and creed.
This book is a must read. Baseball
season is about to begin, so to everyone out there who roots for
their home team: Play ball. Remember Percy! So proud of you!
Click Here To Purchase Safe at Home: A Novel