‘Paperboy’ delivers story of overcoming adversity

I  was drawn to this story because it tells of a young boy and his struggles with stuttering.

Both of our teenage boys stutter. The author himself stuttered as a child and wrote this story from his childhood experiences growing up.

Vince Vawter has since learned to overcome his struggles with speech and has worked in the newspaper business for many years. 'Paperboy” is his first novel and I hope there are more to come. His way of writing for young people is as enjoyable for adults as it is for the kids.

The main character is an 11-year-old boy who takes over his best friend's paper route while he goes to the farm for a few weeks in the summer of 1959 in Memphis. He narrates the story, which reminded me of the narrator in the movie 'Stand By Me.”

He has an arm that can throw the meanest fastball in town, so he knows throwing the paper won't be a problem. But, as he begins his paper route, he realizes that for the next four Fridays, he will have to approach the people on his route to collect the money. He will have to speak to them and the problem with that is, he stutters. He can't even say his own name without passing out from holding his breath trying to push the word out.

Through the paper route, we are introduced to other characters who turn out to be critical to the telling of the story. Mrs. Worthington's sad cries and beauty will forever haunt the boy. Mr. Spiro's wisdom, patience and house full of books could be just enough to bring him through his stuttering.

Ara T's looming presence and secret shed may put him in danger. Finally, Mam, his black nanny, gets in trouble and he might be the only one who can save her. Lil' Man, as Mam calls him, will have to make a choice and confront one of his biggest fears over this hot Memphis summer.

Through this story, we see Lil' Man grow up and gain confidence in just four short weeks. We see how some adults ignore him and kids make fun of him.

We also meet others who treat him like the great kid he is. We are privy to his thoughts and the words he wishes he could say, but, instead, stays silent. Beyond 'Paperboy” being a coming-of-age story, it also reminds us that we can all overcome the things that scare us most.