Two Gentle Summer Reads

Jim the Boy

by Tony Earley

Jim Glass lives in a small Appalachian town with his widowed mother and three bachelor uncles. In this story of his tenth year, his world widens as he attends a new school, travels to the coast with his uncle, meets his notorious grandfather, and navigates a friendship with his arch rival. The Blue Star finds Jim in his 18th year, pining for Chrissie Steppe – who has a boyfriend in the Navy. It is the start of World War II and patriotism is running high. Jim struggles as he experiences what it means to grow up, considers enlisting to win the heart of Chrissie, and learns that life can be as complicated as love.

-Mirja