The Adventures of Uncle Billy & Ross: Life Lessons Made Simple

by Solon Phillips

In The Adventures of Uncle Bill and Ross , Solon Phillips has conjured a magical world that speaks to young people and adults alike. Mind you, this is no swashbuckler. These adventures are not those of an urban Peter Pan, flying through the air and battling pirates. These are the adventures of life, real life. Thirteen-year-old Ross Miller, an only child being raised by his mom in a tough city neighborhood, and his retired Uncle Billy come together each day after school. That might seem prosaic. But as these two engage head on the issues and concerns of a boy coming of age, it is quite an adventure. They slay the dragons of what it means to feel poor and to have your name dragged in the mud. They take on the quests of taking control of your world just by using your own thoughts, choosing your friends wisely, transforming a situation by transforming your attitude, and more

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2023

Reviews

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Ross lived in the inner city which had a bad school district so he had to go to a school near his Uncles house which was better. After school he would come home to his Uncles house then his mom would pick him up later. His Uncle told his nephew life lessons about how to live in the world. One of which is if you have the right attitude about everything then you can go far in life. He talked about the importance of gratitude. Another thing he talked about was the importance of befriending people who you want to be like. He also referred to Historical people like the First black man to graduate from Harvard which gave Uncle Billy a lot of pride.He also used Thomas Edison as an example to explain the importance of keeping working hard to achieve your dreams. I like the way the Uncle made Ross write down everything on his phone when he was giving him a life lesson. The scene when Ross wanted 700 dollars to go on a class field trip to Washington DC was funny I thought. Because Ross thought if he was tentative and listen to his Uncles story about money then he would get the money. All in all it was a warm story of a father figure helping his nephew with his issues in this modern world.

[Mb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book showcases the relationship between thirteen-year-old Ross and his uncle Billy. Ross lives with his mother, who is a single parent. She does not like the boys of her neighbourhood and is afraid that if Ross hangs out with them after school he will get into bad ways. So, she requests her brother, Uncle Billy, to watch over Ross after school.

In the hours that Ross spends with Uncle Billy, he learns lessons on taking responsibility, managing his money, having the right attitude, and working hard. These are issues we all want to discuss with the youngsters in our care. This book is an excellent resource to start having those conversations.

My only issue with the book is that its lessons sometimes come across as too positive, and a little bit at odds with some of the harsh realities of life. Other than that, it is a great book.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

African American Uncle Billy's Advice

Each chapter in the book is a short story of a lesson for living a better life. The lessons are imparted with examples and explained by Uncle Billy to his nephew Ross. Everyone can benefit from reading this book, even if they don't agree with all of it because the topics facilitate thought and ideas. I put some of Napoleon Hill's books on my reading list! Uncle Billy tackles advice on positive attitudes, believing in yourself, choosing friends, and black history, including a discussion about racial slurs. Would make a good book to read aloud by an African American narrator.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good choice

The book is a delightful and insightful book that successfully imparts valuable life lessons through engaging storytelling. The relatable characters, well-crafted narratives, and accessible writing style make it an excellent choice for readers of all ages who are seeking an entertaining and enlightening read. Despite a few minor shortcomings,.

[Faiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Adventures of Uncle Billy and Ross by Solon Phillips is a delightful and accessible read that explores important life lessons through engaging storytelling. The conversational tone and realistic dialogue between Uncle Billy and Ross create a narrative that feels both authentic and meaningful

[Tomi Ahmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very insightful about an uncle who teaches their nephew various lessons. Each chapter teaches various lessons such as appreciation, racism, money and attitude. I would recommend this book for school-aged children.


Please see my my full review:

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[Emerencia Nwapa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I regard each chapter in this book as a little story, each one dropping a lesson on how to live better. Uncle Billy teaches other uncles how to break things down for their nephews, using Ross as the guinea pig. At the same time, it teaches young kids how to listen to elders, even on a bad day - even when they are told off to clear off the roaches. Even if you don’t agree with every word, there’s something in here for everyone. It gets you thinking, sparking ideas. I even added some of Napoleon Hill’s books to my reading list after this! Uncle Billy gets into some heavy stuff—positive vibes, believing in yourself, picking your people, and even diving into black history, including real talk about racial slurs. I read the book, but would honestly like my son to listen to the audiobook her in Lagos. This one would hit him right if an African American narrator read it aloud so he can learn life's lessons and at the same time improve his English. Who doesn't want to have a Southern country twang?

PS. I also shave my son's hair.