Review: Really Great Book
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 3, 2014
From the first incident in this book when Willie stops the school play with his announcement he doesn’t want to be an orange, I found myself laughing.  Although the beginning of this story took place around 1942, people born in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or even today could relate to things that Willie went through.  He dealt with bullies, like Brucie Schultz.  He even joined Brucie’s gang until he was required to harass and abuse other kids.  This shows he had a great moral foundation.  When Brucie cornered  Carvis Bullock, one of the few colored kids at the school Willie knew he should do something but was too afraid of the bully to interfere.  However, when the teacher finally intervened and suggested to Carvis that maybe it would be better if he stayed indoors instead of going outside for recess, Willie knew this was just wrong.  I could identify with every situation where Willie was blamed for something he didn’t do.  He took the punishment and kept his mouth shut for many different reasons.  We follow Willie all the way through adulthood. This is definitely a trip down memory lane in so many ways for all ages.  Childhood experiences don’t change a lot.  It was refreshing to be reminded that so often the things we go through as a child is what shapes us into the adult we become.  Would I recommend this book? I most definitely would.  This was an excellent read.  I am so glad I was asked to read and review it.