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The Paper Cowboy
Though he thinks of himself as a cowboy, Tommy is really a bully. He's always playing cruel jokes on classmates or stealing from the store. But Tommy has a life at home is tough. His abusive mother isn't well; in fact, she may be mentally ill, and his sister, Mary Lou, is in the hospital badly burned from doing a chore it was really Tommy's turn to do. To make amends, Tommy takes over Mary Lou's paper route. But the paper route also becomes the perfect way for Tommy to investigate his neighbors after stumbling across a copy of The Daily Worker , a communist newspaper.
Tommy is shocked to learn that one of his neighbors could be a communist, and soon fear of a communist in this tight-knit community takes hold of everyone when Tommy uses the paper to frame a storeowner, Mr. McKenzie. As Mr. McKenzie's business slowly falls apart and Mary Lou doesn't seem to get any better, Tommy's mother's abuse gets worse causing Tommy's bullying to spiral out of control.
Poignantly written, Kristin Levine proves herself a master of gripping and affecting historical fiction.
Tommy is shocked to learn that one of his neighbors could be a communist, and soon fear of a communist in this tight-knit community takes hold of everyone when Tommy uses the paper to frame a storeowner, Mr. McKenzie. As Mr. McKenzie's business slowly falls apart and Mary Lou doesn't seem to get any better, Tommy's mother's abuse gets worse causing Tommy's bullying to spiral out of control.
Poignantly written, Kristin Levine proves herself a master of gripping and affecting historical fiction.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2014
51 people are currently reading
1180 people want to read
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March 4, 2022
This book has many depressing moments: beatings, bullying, polio, car accident, burning accident, dog accident, depression, financial problems, slander, you name it. But at the same time, I enjoyed the Downers Grove setting, the historical parts about Communism in the 1950s, and the overall satisfying resolution with the message that people can change and overcome. Students seem to enjoy this book. :)
June 19, 2016
Not only a great historical read, growing up in the 1950s, communist hysteria, but the fiction deals with some real coming of age problems....bullying, parental mental illness, family dysfunction, building community. What I loved most was Tommy's growth over the course of the story. I think every middle school reader can learn something from this narrative.
December 1, 2016
Tommy finds a communist paper at the paper drive in his community and goes on an adventure to find who the communist is, but will he figure out which of his neighbors owned the paper? "The Paper Cowboy" is a historical fiction that took place in the 1950's. In my opinion, I thought the book had too many problems for only 1 book, but if the problems were a bit more spread out, I would have had a little bit more interest in the book that I lost during the problems being presented. However, I did like this book and would recommended it to others, but it is not one of my favorites.
"The Paper Cowboy" takes place in Downer's Grove, Illinois in the 1950's. It is relevant to the story, because it is in a small town where everyone knows each other and gives one another assistance when it is needed. Also, the time is relevant to the story because it takes place near the cold war and it contributes to the many types of people in Downer's Grove. In "The Paper Cowboy", Tommy wanted to find which one of his neighbor's owned the communist paper he found, but the people he thinks are the communist turn out to be the wrong people and he puts them in many circumstances. Then, Tommy has to figure out a way to solve all of his problems, so he starts a fundraiser for his sister, brings his community together, and figures out who the real "communist" is. The conflict Tommy faces is against himself and his neighborhood, because he has to face the situations he puts himself and his neighbors in. The theme can be described as don't judge a book by it's cover, and to be more careful with your actions, because he misjudged Mr. McKenzie and Mrs. Glazov, two of his neighbors, and one small rumor can turn into a huge problem.
The title, "The Paper Cowboy", relates to the book because of Tommy's obsession for cowboys and imaging he is cowboy that will save his town from the communist. Also, the paper part of the title comes from the commie paper Tommy found and the paper route, that Mary Lou did before she accidentally got burned and hospitalized, that helps him observe his neighbors. For example, the story states, "I held the paper out to him. 'The Daily Worker' was a communist newspaper.... And for the first time in ages, for the first time since Mary Lou had gotten burned, I knew who I was. I was Tommy John Wilson. A paper cowboy." This shows how Tommy had considered himself as a cowboy, but soon realizes he is a paper cowboy. The text also shows, how Tommy had found a Communist paper at his neighborhood's paper drive. , This is also when Tommy realizes that he is not just a cowboy, but a "paper cowboy".
If I were the author I would have made the obstacles presented a little more spread out throughout the story, because I felt that in the middle of the story there were lots of problems that happened all at once. For example, while Tommy was doing the paper route, he sees that Ma and Pa's, his neighbors, rooster had escaped from their chicken coop, then Boots, Tommy's dog, chases after the rooster. Then, a car turns the corner of the street that Tommy is on and almost runs him over, but runs Boots over instead. So, Tommy takes Boots to Mrs. Scully, a neighbor and a seamstress, to stitch up his dog, and then returns home late. When he gets home his mother is very disappointed that he was not back at home in time, so she beats him with a belt. However, the next day his mom gets in a car crash that sends her to a hospital. I can understand how Tommy being late can lead to a beating from his mom, but I think that Boots should have never gotten hit by the car, and Tommy's mom would not get into a car crash so soon. On the other hand, I really enjoyed this book and definitely will recommend it to others.
I gave this book 3 stars, but it is more like 3.5 stars, because I really enjoyed this book, but I wanted to know what happens after Mr. Sullivan (Tommy's friend's dad) figured out that Tommy's dad had got the paper during his college years to see what a communist newspaper was like and how Mr. McKenzie deals with him being known as the supposedly communist. Also, as I mentioned before, I felt that there were some unnecessary problems and some that could have been put in a different time of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who like mysteries, suspenseful, or historical fiction books, because the book included many hints that led to the right answer, which also give the reader some suspense. Also, it takes place near the cold war and talks about it in a couple of chapters throughout the story. Tommy does find out who the owner of the communist paper is and it is not exactly who he thought it was.
"The Paper Cowboy" takes place in Downer's Grove, Illinois in the 1950's. It is relevant to the story, because it is in a small town where everyone knows each other and gives one another assistance when it is needed. Also, the time is relevant to the story because it takes place near the cold war and it contributes to the many types of people in Downer's Grove. In "The Paper Cowboy", Tommy wanted to find which one of his neighbor's owned the communist paper he found, but the people he thinks are the communist turn out to be the wrong people and he puts them in many circumstances. Then, Tommy has to figure out a way to solve all of his problems, so he starts a fundraiser for his sister, brings his community together, and figures out who the real "communist" is. The conflict Tommy faces is against himself and his neighborhood, because he has to face the situations he puts himself and his neighbors in. The theme can be described as don't judge a book by it's cover, and to be more careful with your actions, because he misjudged Mr. McKenzie and Mrs. Glazov, two of his neighbors, and one small rumor can turn into a huge problem.
The title, "The Paper Cowboy", relates to the book because of Tommy's obsession for cowboys and imaging he is cowboy that will save his town from the communist. Also, the paper part of the title comes from the commie paper Tommy found and the paper route, that Mary Lou did before she accidentally got burned and hospitalized, that helps him observe his neighbors. For example, the story states, "I held the paper out to him. 'The Daily Worker' was a communist newspaper.... And for the first time in ages, for the first time since Mary Lou had gotten burned, I knew who I was. I was Tommy John Wilson. A paper cowboy." This shows how Tommy had considered himself as a cowboy, but soon realizes he is a paper cowboy. The text also shows, how Tommy had found a Communist paper at his neighborhood's paper drive. , This is also when Tommy realizes that he is not just a cowboy, but a "paper cowboy".
If I were the author I would have made the obstacles presented a little more spread out throughout the story, because I felt that in the middle of the story there were lots of problems that happened all at once. For example, while Tommy was doing the paper route, he sees that Ma and Pa's, his neighbors, rooster had escaped from their chicken coop, then Boots, Tommy's dog, chases after the rooster. Then, a car turns the corner of the street that Tommy is on and almost runs him over, but runs Boots over instead. So, Tommy takes Boots to Mrs. Scully, a neighbor and a seamstress, to stitch up his dog, and then returns home late. When he gets home his mother is very disappointed that he was not back at home in time, so she beats him with a belt. However, the next day his mom gets in a car crash that sends her to a hospital. I can understand how Tommy being late can lead to a beating from his mom, but I think that Boots should have never gotten hit by the car, and Tommy's mom would not get into a car crash so soon. On the other hand, I really enjoyed this book and definitely will recommend it to others.
I gave this book 3 stars, but it is more like 3.5 stars, because I really enjoyed this book, but I wanted to know what happens after Mr. Sullivan (Tommy's friend's dad) figured out that Tommy's dad had got the paper during his college years to see what a communist newspaper was like and how Mr. McKenzie deals with him being known as the supposedly communist. Also, as I mentioned before, I felt that there were some unnecessary problems and some that could have been put in a different time of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who like mysteries, suspenseful, or historical fiction books, because the book included many hints that led to the right answer, which also give the reader some suspense. Also, it takes place near the cold war and talks about it in a couple of chapters throughout the story. Tommy does find out who the owner of the communist paper is and it is not exactly who he thought it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2017
I thought that this was a good book. I liked how Tommy had to fight with his emotions and control his feelings. This isn't the type of book I would want to read if I had a choice. But I'm happy that we read it anyways because it gave a full perspective of how he solved his problems and made everything fine.
February 8, 2017
(Spoiler Alert)Have you ever felt like everything bad that has happened was your fault? In this adventure fiction story readers will not be able to put down the book which is very inspiring .
In this book a young boy named Tommy and his family face a tragedy that puts their life into a different perspective. The event where Tommy’s sister Mary Lou is burned while doing a chore that Tommy was suppose to do, greatly affects the entire family. Due to this Tommy feels that the reason his sister was badly hurt was his fault. Due to self guilt Tommy’s started acting out more than he usually did. An example of this in the story is when Tommy stole a couple of yo-yos. Tommy ended up being caught and had to work in the store (owned by Sam’s father).Out of anger Tommy planted a communist paper he had found in the pile of newspaper that were used to wrap up the items the customers bought. But this prank turned into a bigger problem when Mr. McKenzie uses the newspaper and a customer the wrong idea. Creating the rumor that Mr. McKenzie is a communist, this rumor ends up running Mr.McKenzie’s shop out of business.
The title,The Paper Cowboy relates to the story because in the story Tommy acted all big and tough but as you read further into the story you find out that Tommy was feeling really alone and guilty. Therefore the tough act that Tommy put up was paper thin, like in the the title, The Paper Cowboy. Another reason the title was The Paper Cowboy was because in the story Tommy is obsessed with cowboys and sees himself as a cowboy. Some examples of this in the book is when Tommy knows he has to do something but is scared to like when he confesses to starting the rumor and tells himself things like I am a cowboy and cowboys aren’t cowards. A major event that changed the character Tommy was the event that his sister Mary Lou was burned. This is because Tommy was the one suppose to do the chore and he feels his family would be doing better off if he had been the one who had gotten burned instead of Mary Lou. Who had played a big part in the family which Tommy soon realizes.
I liked the way that the author was able to include both what Tommy did in the story versus what Tommy wanted to do without directly stating it. An example of this in the story is when Tommy and Eddie made a deal with Sam(the kid they had been bullying) to exchange stocking full of treats. But Eddie wanted to give Sam a stocking full of coal and even though Tommy didn’t want to do this to Sam he didn’t want to show that he cared about Sam. So when the time came Tommy put a couple of treats for Sam at the bottom of the stocking and filled the rest of coal. This shows that Tommy wanted to give Sam actual treats but he felt that he could do that without being embarrassed. An interesting thing I learned from this book was that there is always a reason people act the way they do. For example in the book Tommy lashes out at people because he was dealing with his sister being in the hospital, his dad turning out to have had part is a communist activity, and his mother having mood swings. Showing that Tommy had a reason for the way he acted towards other people.
In conclusion the book The Paper Cowboy was a book that helps you realize that your life might not be as bad as you think.I would give this book a 5 out of 5 star rating. I would recommend this book to people who like eye opening books. I say this because while reading this book I pre-judged Tommy but it turns out that he had a lot of things going on at home which changed my perspective of Tommy.
In this book a young boy named Tommy and his family face a tragedy that puts their life into a different perspective. The event where Tommy’s sister Mary Lou is burned while doing a chore that Tommy was suppose to do, greatly affects the entire family. Due to this Tommy feels that the reason his sister was badly hurt was his fault. Due to self guilt Tommy’s started acting out more than he usually did. An example of this in the story is when Tommy stole a couple of yo-yos. Tommy ended up being caught and had to work in the store (owned by Sam’s father).Out of anger Tommy planted a communist paper he had found in the pile of newspaper that were used to wrap up the items the customers bought. But this prank turned into a bigger problem when Mr. McKenzie uses the newspaper and a customer the wrong idea. Creating the rumor that Mr. McKenzie is a communist, this rumor ends up running Mr.McKenzie’s shop out of business.
The title,The Paper Cowboy relates to the story because in the story Tommy acted all big and tough but as you read further into the story you find out that Tommy was feeling really alone and guilty. Therefore the tough act that Tommy put up was paper thin, like in the the title, The Paper Cowboy. Another reason the title was The Paper Cowboy was because in the story Tommy is obsessed with cowboys and sees himself as a cowboy. Some examples of this in the book is when Tommy knows he has to do something but is scared to like when he confesses to starting the rumor and tells himself things like I am a cowboy and cowboys aren’t cowards. A major event that changed the character Tommy was the event that his sister Mary Lou was burned. This is because Tommy was the one suppose to do the chore and he feels his family would be doing better off if he had been the one who had gotten burned instead of Mary Lou. Who had played a big part in the family which Tommy soon realizes.
I liked the way that the author was able to include both what Tommy did in the story versus what Tommy wanted to do without directly stating it. An example of this in the story is when Tommy and Eddie made a deal with Sam(the kid they had been bullying) to exchange stocking full of treats. But Eddie wanted to give Sam a stocking full of coal and even though Tommy didn’t want to do this to Sam he didn’t want to show that he cared about Sam. So when the time came Tommy put a couple of treats for Sam at the bottom of the stocking and filled the rest of coal. This shows that Tommy wanted to give Sam actual treats but he felt that he could do that without being embarrassed. An interesting thing I learned from this book was that there is always a reason people act the way they do. For example in the book Tommy lashes out at people because he was dealing with his sister being in the hospital, his dad turning out to have had part is a communist activity, and his mother having mood swings. Showing that Tommy had a reason for the way he acted towards other people.
In conclusion the book The Paper Cowboy was a book that helps you realize that your life might not be as bad as you think.I would give this book a 5 out of 5 star rating. I would recommend this book to people who like eye opening books. I say this because while reading this book I pre-judged Tommy but it turns out that he had a lot of things going on at home which changed my perspective of Tommy.
June 7, 2016
A very original historical fiction novel for teens. Talks about many issues such mental illness, bullying, and communism in the 1950s. Many of these topics are on the surface level, but still can learn from them. Another interesting factor about this book is the setting, which takes places in Downer's Grove. It refers to the small town downtown area many times in the book.
"I liked the idea that is someone was in need, someone else would volunteer to help. It reminded me of why I moved to Downer's Grove. I hoped a small town would be a place where we would all...take care of one another." Page 258
There is a lot of rich historical facts presented in this story too.
"I liked the idea that is someone was in need, someone else would volunteer to help. It reminded me of why I moved to Downer's Grove. I hoped a small town would be a place where we would all...take care of one another." Page 258
There is a lot of rich historical facts presented in this story too.
November 19, 2016
Incredibly thoughtful historical fiction for middle grade, in a historical period that is rare to find in MG/YA lit.
I loved the 1950s backdrop that gives insight into McCarthyism/The Red Scare that lead to rising tensions at the start of the Cold War in small-town Illinois. I also liked how Levine wrote from a unique and interesting point of view -- taking a character who would often be the antagonist in a story and bringing them to focus of the story as protagonist. Bullying is a popular topic for this level, but rarely do you see novels that focus on the bully. Tommy was a complex and interesting character, and this lead to some perceptive discussion with my middle school kids how even normally goodhearted, compassionate people can lose their way or become caught up in destructive behavior.
One of my other favorite aspects was the importance placed on community and the background stories of the town's immigrants, many of whom suffered indelible and still recent scars leftover from the Second World War. Tommy's growing relationship with his lonely old Russian neighbor, and learning a bit of Czechoslovakian immigrants, Ma & Pa's stories were incredibly heartwarming.
This book dealt with many difficult and emotional issues, though much of it on the surface, including mental illness, bullying, child abuse/neglect, a terrible fire accident, and lightly touches on alcoholism. Some of these issues wrapped up a bit neatly, and I do wish there had been a little more resolution particularly surrounding the child abuse.
Nonetheless, this is excellent historical fiction for upper MG readers and particularly relevant for today, when it so eloquently parallels some of the fear and paranoia that sadly still exists in America, even if those fears are no longer communist spies trying to tear down our country. Ultimately a wonderful coming-of-age novel about friendship, family, and the healing that can come from community becoming extended family. Or as my middle school book club put it, "It's never too late to become a better person." :')
I loved the 1950s backdrop that gives insight into McCarthyism/The Red Scare that lead to rising tensions at the start of the Cold War in small-town Illinois. I also liked how Levine wrote from a unique and interesting point of view -- taking a character who would often be the antagonist in a story and bringing them to focus of the story as protagonist. Bullying is a popular topic for this level, but rarely do you see novels that focus on the bully. Tommy was a complex and interesting character, and this lead to some perceptive discussion with my middle school kids how even normally goodhearted, compassionate people can lose their way or become caught up in destructive behavior.
One of my other favorite aspects was the importance placed on community and the background stories of the town's immigrants, many of whom suffered indelible and still recent scars leftover from the Second World War. Tommy's growing relationship with his lonely old Russian neighbor, and learning a bit of Czechoslovakian immigrants, Ma & Pa's stories were incredibly heartwarming.
This book dealt with many difficult and emotional issues, though much of it on the surface, including mental illness, bullying, child abuse/neglect, a terrible fire accident, and lightly touches on alcoholism. Some of these issues wrapped up a bit neatly, and I do wish there had been a little more resolution particularly surrounding the child abuse.
Nonetheless, this is excellent historical fiction for upper MG readers and particularly relevant for today, when it so eloquently parallels some of the fear and paranoia that sadly still exists in America, even if those fears are no longer communist spies trying to tear down our country. Ultimately a wonderful coming-of-age novel about friendship, family, and the healing that can come from community becoming extended family. Or as my middle school book club put it, "It's never too late to become a better person." :')
July 21, 2014
Levine, Kristin. The Paper Cowboy. Putnam Juvenile, 2014.
Tommy is a bully who gets away with things because he's a cute kid. He picks on the weaker kids and school and even picks on his own friends. At home, though, Tommy has a lot to deal with. His mom has an undiagnosed mental illness and frequently vacillates between extreme happiness and beating Tommy for the smallest infraction. Also, Tommy blames himself for an accident that happens to his older sister, so he's feeling guilty on top of taking care of his younger sisters and his house and covering his older sister's paper route. Things come to a head as Tommy realizes that all actions have consequences and that sometimes all a person needs to do is ask for help.
This was an excellent book, although it wasn't an easy book to read. Tommy is not a likable character, but the glimpses into his home life help explain why he is such a jerk to the people around him. I could very easily use this book as a read-aloud in an upper elementary or middle school classroom. There is a great discussion of the Cold War and McCarthyism throughout this book, as well as dealing with bullying, abuse, and mental illness.
Recommended for: middle grade, tweens
Red Flags: abuse (mom beats the kid on several occasions)
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Paperboy, Okay for Now, Dead End in Norvelt
Tommy is a bully who gets away with things because he's a cute kid. He picks on the weaker kids and school and even picks on his own friends. At home, though, Tommy has a lot to deal with. His mom has an undiagnosed mental illness and frequently vacillates between extreme happiness and beating Tommy for the smallest infraction. Also, Tommy blames himself for an accident that happens to his older sister, so he's feeling guilty on top of taking care of his younger sisters and his house and covering his older sister's paper route. Things come to a head as Tommy realizes that all actions have consequences and that sometimes all a person needs to do is ask for help.
This was an excellent book, although it wasn't an easy book to read. Tommy is not a likable character, but the glimpses into his home life help explain why he is such a jerk to the people around him. I could very easily use this book as a read-aloud in an upper elementary or middle school classroom. There is a great discussion of the Cold War and McCarthyism throughout this book, as well as dealing with bullying, abuse, and mental illness.
Recommended for: middle grade, tweens
Red Flags: abuse (mom beats the kid on several occasions)
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Paperboy, Okay for Now, Dead End in Norvelt
November 3, 2017
This book is one of the few that left me contemplating whether it deserves a 5 stars or lower. The characters are well developed, the setting is strong, and the plot keeps you riveted and wanting more. And although this ends happily, I couldn't get over the immensely serious conflicts this book takes on: bullying, a burn victim and treatment, mental instability, child abuse, alcoholism and violence, death of a parent - all set within the context of WWII. Every time a new conflict was introduced, I thought to myself, "you've got to be kidding me!", yet they all fit together in a way that just works. Many of the conflicts I found disturbing, and depressing.
Overall, this book is well written, giving the reader the necessary details, but never anything more. This book definitely speaks volumes and addresses important issues. Is it a must-read? I don't think so, but is it worthy of your time? Most definitely.
This was really cleverly written (so many conflicts that could have just created chaos) and I enjoyed the author's note at the end speaking about where this story came from...it makes it an even more incredible tale.
Overall, this book is well written, giving the reader the necessary details, but never anything more. This book definitely speaks volumes and addresses important issues. Is it a must-read? I don't think so, but is it worthy of your time? Most definitely.
This was really cleverly written (so many conflicts that could have just created chaos) and I enjoyed the author's note at the end speaking about where this story came from...it makes it an even more incredible tale.
December 4, 2016
Everything about this book felt so honest and real. It took me back to my childhood and reminded me of the dynamics of weaving my way through middle school. I loved how the book was told from the perspective of a bully, but not of your typical beat em up type. He was manipulating and sneaky and you almost don't even realize he's a bully until he starts feeling bad for what he's done. It's also nice when a story can be historical fiction (although this one is loosely nonfiction) and gently weave the time era into play. It was not a story about the era as much as the issues surrounding it, communism, but it made those issues seem relevant today. The issues these boys were facing are similar to the ones with racism we see affecting our world. The family life was so real as well. A broke down, stumbling family with some major issues. Nothing in this book was sugar coated, yet completely appropriate for the intended age group. I hated to finish this book because I wanted to continue on in the lives of the characters. They were all intriguing, full of flaws, but also full of hope.
November 14, 2014
Kristin Levine is one of my favorite YA authors. This is a difficult book to rate with the star system. I think it gets 4 stars for how accurately she captured what it would be like to live with someone who was struggling with bipolar disorder. I enjoyed the characters. Some of the plot line was a bit tidy, but it worked for this story. It was an EXTREMELY DIFFICULT book to read, because it was so emotionally intense. I cried several times. I read more than half the book the first night and it had me so agitated I had trouble getting to sleep. I would not classify this as children's literature. I wouldn't want my kids reading it before 8th or 9th grade and even then I doubt my particular kids would enjoy this. Too raw for it to be 'entertaining'.
January 26, 2015
This book was very good - second best book I've ever read! It was very well written. It was fast-paced, but not too many cliff-hangers where you felt like you had to stay up reading. There were a lot of good life lessons and I felt like the character learned a lot of them the harder way. Even though he made some bad choices, I felt bad for him because of things in his life and I really liked him the whole time.
May 3, 2016
I love this historical fiction, coming of age story. Tommy's struggle between doing what he knows is right and his cruel actions is such a realistic issue for people. Although Tommy makes many mistakes, the reader can't help but root for him to find his way and help his family. The incorporation of the time period and the hunt for the town communist is a piece of history I think many students will find intriguing.
December 3, 2014
Powerful, gut-wrenching narrative. McCarthyism, bullying, mental illness, an abusive home--but also love, friendship, coming-of-age....Never before have I read a story in which I could understand and relate to a character who acts out as a bully. And the book is set in Downers Grove in the 1950s, so you'll read about familiar settings such as the Tivoli Theater and Ogden Ave. A must-read!
October 25, 2016
This book would go in my top 10 favorite book that I have read. I really liked how you could relate your own problems to Tommy's. Tommy is the main character. When Tommy found out who the Communist was who was living in his neighborhood I was really shocked. I liked how the author added in another character Mrs. Gavolvs.
June 2, 2016
The time period of this book intrigued me, but I didn't love it. There is a lot going on with the characters, abuse, mental illness, bullying, etc. A good read for my middle school students.
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October 13, 2017I personally loved this book for many reasons. It was a very touching story about a young boy who has lots of problems with his family and the way he is living his life. It nearly brought me to tears at some parts with the sudden conflicts and the things the characters have to go through. My favorite part was the end and you will see why when you read it.
May 13, 2016
`Are you a Communist? Well unlike Tommy, I am glad you are politically involve in {insert country name here.} crazy world of politics. Even if your just a lazy teenager who thinks Communism is a good way of getting everything you need to live. [When in relativity Communism was thought up of Karl Marx as a society that every one gets basic needs but still works.] However this book is set in the *McCarthy era where any and all communist thoughts have to be eradicated. Tommy gets someone in trouble by taking a page out of McCarthy's book, in this greatly crafted realistic fiction tale.
Tommy is just a regular american boy who likes cowboys and has an unhealthy amount of patriotism. He goes to school and leads a normal life although he is a bit of a douche but that gets amplified by a million when his sister gets burned by burning the trash; Something Tommy was supposed to do. Although he blames himself, his mother blames him. His mom was always harsh towards Tommy but without Mary Lou to help shield them from there mother it gets worse. With his abusive mother becoming more violent he himself starts bullying. One day our hero decided to steal a yo-yo from a store and is forced to work for the owner. To spite the owner Tommy plants a communist newspaper. When business starts to go downhill Tommy starts to feel remorse and tries to find the real communist. He suspected the real communist is the Russian lady next door and starts to investigate her. With Thanksgiving coming Tommy invites the kind old Russian lady that he takes a liking to. When eating dinner Tommy asks if the lady was a communist, with one major error she cant read English and the paper is in English. Later on when all hope is lost to find the real communist his farther confesses to having owned the paper while communism was a new thought. Later on to try and win a friend back Tommy tells him about his Farther. While this is happening it seems Tommy's mom is getting better. All seems to look up for Tommy.
The reason the title is The Paper Cowboy can mean multiple things maybe Tommy believe he was a cowboy but realized that the title could be blown away like paper. A major symbol in all of this is the paper badge that Tommy wears because it was gifted to him by his sister. The setting was really important to the story since communism is not a big issue anymore, plus we would be a lot more excepting to people who are different to us. The setting also makes the conflict happen because they are still in a time where new ideas were scary.
What made me think in this book was about his abusive mom. I feel like if his mom was replaced by his dad than people would hold a lot less sympathy. While on the subject of dads it really bothered me that Tommy's did nothing about his wife. Never stepped in the way but he did try to get a therapist to help. One really somber tone to real life was when "Little Skinny" joined Tommy's click , he wasn't really excepted when Tommy wasn't around. Another thing that made me think was Tommy as a character himself since he was reckless and didn't think of the down side. Just like America during the Cold War since they toppled democratic countries in the name of democracy.
4 stars. All in all good writing but the little waste of time with Tommy relising it cant be the Russian lady since she cant read. I would recommend this book to someone who wants a little bit of everything in their books. The message of this book was its good to be a hero but dont be a false one.
*McCarthy was a politician that accused his rivals of being a communist while the red scare was happening.
Tommy is just a regular american boy who likes cowboys and has an unhealthy amount of patriotism. He goes to school and leads a normal life although he is a bit of a douche but that gets amplified by a million when his sister gets burned by burning the trash; Something Tommy was supposed to do. Although he blames himself, his mother blames him. His mom was always harsh towards Tommy but without Mary Lou to help shield them from there mother it gets worse. With his abusive mother becoming more violent he himself starts bullying. One day our hero decided to steal a yo-yo from a store and is forced to work for the owner. To spite the owner Tommy plants a communist newspaper. When business starts to go downhill Tommy starts to feel remorse and tries to find the real communist. He suspected the real communist is the Russian lady next door and starts to investigate her. With Thanksgiving coming Tommy invites the kind old Russian lady that he takes a liking to. When eating dinner Tommy asks if the lady was a communist, with one major error she cant read English and the paper is in English. Later on when all hope is lost to find the real communist his farther confesses to having owned the paper while communism was a new thought. Later on to try and win a friend back Tommy tells him about his Farther. While this is happening it seems Tommy's mom is getting better. All seems to look up for Tommy.
The reason the title is The Paper Cowboy can mean multiple things maybe Tommy believe he was a cowboy but realized that the title could be blown away like paper. A major symbol in all of this is the paper badge that Tommy wears because it was gifted to him by his sister. The setting was really important to the story since communism is not a big issue anymore, plus we would be a lot more excepting to people who are different to us. The setting also makes the conflict happen because they are still in a time where new ideas were scary.
What made me think in this book was about his abusive mom. I feel like if his mom was replaced by his dad than people would hold a lot less sympathy. While on the subject of dads it really bothered me that Tommy's did nothing about his wife. Never stepped in the way but he did try to get a therapist to help. One really somber tone to real life was when "Little Skinny" joined Tommy's click , he wasn't really excepted when Tommy wasn't around. Another thing that made me think was Tommy as a character himself since he was reckless and didn't think of the down side. Just like America during the Cold War since they toppled democratic countries in the name of democracy.
4 stars. All in all good writing but the little waste of time with Tommy relising it cant be the Russian lady since she cant read. I would recommend this book to someone who wants a little bit of everything in their books. The message of this book was its good to be a hero but dont be a false one.
*McCarthy was a politician that accused his rivals of being a communist while the red scare was happening.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2017
***SPOILER ALERT*** Wow. This book was absolutely amazing! No wonder it is a Virginia Readers Choice Book! I just loved how to author wrote it in first person and I was in Tommy's shoes. It really felt like I was experiencing what Tommy was experiencing. I almost cried toward the end because of how great the story ended and how happy the characters were. Probably my favorite part would be at the end when the Mother put in Dad's belt in the fire. I almost cried then because it was such an important moment in the story. I got so attached to Boots like he was my dog. I also got really attached to the next door Russian lady. (I forgot her name.) When Tommy found the book by Karl Marx I was so heartbroken. But it all turned out to be okay! I just can't believe how much Sam and Tommy's friendship progressed throughout the story! It was so cute and at times I felt like Tommy was such a bully to Sam but in the end it all turned out to be okay! Overall, I rate this a 4.5 out of 5 stars (but I don't know how to do half a star so I'll give it a 4 star rating).
April 3, 2017
Tommy wants to be a cowboy. Tommy wants to be in control and do what right in every situation. He wants to be able to know the right thing to say in every circumstance as that is what a good cowboy does, at least the ones Tommy knows from the big screen. It’s hard though, for things at home are falling apart, there are pressures from his friends at school and Tommy himself is confused at what is the “right” thing to do. I can tell you though; my review will not do this book justice on how phenomenal it really is. I fell in love with this novel from the very first chapter. The intensity and the emotions that the characters experienced carried through to me and I didn’t want this novel to end. Each scene was not just a glimpse into the lives of the characters but something much more; we were getting into their being. We knew where Tommy’s heart laid as he desired to become a cowboy, their image almost god-like but as he matured Tommy began to see where reality and the big screen differed. With his peers, he deals with many issues including communism, diversity and friendship. Tough issues for this young teen and the means at which he attempts to juggle them astonished me at times, yet I could understand his logic for he was reacting like a normal teen. His family life captured me many times in a vise and held me. Sometimes I was so memorized by the scene playing out before me, too stricken to even turn the page, just capturing the scene in my head, turning the image around and around just to make sure it really was happening. Tommy’s older sister got hurt and his mother blamed him. It seemed that Tommy carried the blame for a lot of things and this didn’t help matters much. Tommy’s mom hasn’t been well and this sends her farther down her dark path and her temper and her anger intensifies. Tommy’s father, he’s there but yet, he’s not. Tommy has to step up to take care of his younger sisters because, who else can do and because there is this guilt. Guilt can play a heavy role. I highly recommend this novel; it is definitely one of my hair-dryer books. I will definitely be singing its praises for a while!!
February 23, 2017
5.0/5.0. That book was amazing. Full review to come.
March 15, 2016
The Paper Cowboy is the best book I've read in the past 12 months!
The setting is the 1950s when Sen. McCarthy was trying to identify the communists in the United States. He succeeded--for awhile--and in the process made everyone paranoid even Tommy who lived in a small town in New York.
Tommy begins the book as a bully--an a really mean bully. He and his best friend Eddie both have miserable home lives so the reasons they are bullies are obvious. Tommy, on his own, searches out communists and, as a cruel bully joke, plays a terrible prank on a classmate's father: He plants a communist newspaper in Mr. McCready's store. When the adults discover the newspaper, they stop buying groceries from Mr. McCready.
Tommy also has a neighbor who is a Russian immigrant. He thinks she's a communist too and sets out to prove it. But, in the meantime, Tommy comes to like her because she's really more of a mother to him than his real mother is.
Tommy's home life hits bottom when his sister's hospital bills become overwhelming and when his mother, in one of her "down" moods has a car accident and then moves out of the house to get psychiatric treatment. These events make Tommy question the bad things he has done and he sets out to make them right.
The characters are deep, Tommy is remarkable, and the ending doesn't end in a completely tidy manner because that wouldn't be real life.
I wish all young adult books were written this well.
The setting is the 1950s when Sen. McCarthy was trying to identify the communists in the United States. He succeeded--for awhile--and in the process made everyone paranoid even Tommy who lived in a small town in New York.
Tommy begins the book as a bully--an a really mean bully. He and his best friend Eddie both have miserable home lives so the reasons they are bullies are obvious. Tommy, on his own, searches out communists and, as a cruel bully joke, plays a terrible prank on a classmate's father: He plants a communist newspaper in Mr. McCready's store. When the adults discover the newspaper, they stop buying groceries from Mr. McCready.
Tommy also has a neighbor who is a Russian immigrant. He thinks she's a communist too and sets out to prove it. But, in the meantime, Tommy comes to like her because she's really more of a mother to him than his real mother is.
Tommy's home life hits bottom when his sister's hospital bills become overwhelming and when his mother, in one of her "down" moods has a car accident and then moves out of the house to get psychiatric treatment. These events make Tommy question the bad things he has done and he sets out to make them right.
The characters are deep, Tommy is remarkable, and the ending doesn't end in a completely tidy manner because that wouldn't be real life.
I wish all young adult books were written this well.
October 25, 2014
This is the second Kristin Levine book that I have love. (The first being The Lions of Little Rock) This book cover so many tough issues; mental illness (in a time when no one really spoke about it), bullying, and child abuse. The story takes place during the 1950's and deals with the many issues facing the Wilson family. Tommy is the twelve year old boy who is the center of the story and he has to deal with the brunt of the issues that take place in the Wilson home. His older sister, whom Tommy is very close to, is in the hospital after an accident. Tommy then has to deal with his mom's undiagnosed, spiraling mental illness, his sister's paper route, the fact that he himself, is sometimes a bully, and trying to find out who the communist in the neighborhood is. The characters in the book are so well written I could picture each and every one in my mind. I could not put this book down. I would recommend it to any young reader who likes a good realistic story. Levine based this book on a period from her father's life. I now look forward to reading Levine's other book, Best Bad Luck I Ever Had.
November 13, 2014
Tommy Wilson is a twelve-year-old boy who lives in a small town, Downers Grove,Illinois, in the 1950s when the Communist scare is rampant. Tommy wishes he were like his cowboy heroes but he isn't because he misbehaves. It doesn't help that his mother is moody and then her behavior escalates to beating Tommy because she can't control her emotions brought on by the stress of a new baby and the terrible accident where Tommy's older sister is seriously burned because she lights the fire in the trash, which was Tommy's job. Tommy acts out even more by partnering with his friend Eddy in a stealing scam at the local store and gets caught. He retaliates by planting a Communist paper in the store's wrapping paper when he is working off his sentence there,and now the townspeople avoid the store. Tommy knows many of the townspeople because he's taken over his sister Mary Lou's paper route and now he really wants to be like Gary Cooper in Tommy's favorite movie, High Noon, and bring the community together too. In the process he helps his own family.
I loved how the author incorporated the theme of cowboys throughout the story and showed a 1950s perspective of mental illness.
I loved how the author incorporated the theme of cowboys throughout the story and showed a 1950s perspective of mental illness.
February 1, 2016
This book could be re-named "Everything Brittany Has Learned In Her Short 26 Years of Life."
Seriously, without dragging (easy to do with 300+ pages) or being completely didactic, this book had very bit of heart and soul necessary to bind abuse, bullying, injury, alcoholism, differing beliefs (read:communism), hard work, cowboys, historical fiction and more together seamlessly while keeping the entire thing -wait for it- completely believable.
To top it off, the action takes place in 1950's Downers Grove, Illinois, which was super cool for a Chicago suburbanite like me.
I'm recommending this to everyone who asks for a historical fiction, a story "about a boy," or "a good book for a (4th+) grader."
Seriously, without dragging (easy to do with 300+ pages) or being completely didactic, this book had very bit of heart and soul necessary to bind abuse, bullying, injury, alcoholism, differing beliefs (read:communism), hard work, cowboys, historical fiction and more together seamlessly while keeping the entire thing -wait for it- completely believable.
To top it off, the action takes place in 1950's Downers Grove, Illinois, which was super cool for a Chicago suburbanite like me.
I'm recommending this to everyone who asks for a historical fiction, a story "about a boy," or "a good book for a (4th+) grader."
March 26, 2016
I really enjoyed The Lions of Little Rock and The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had, so I was happy to read another book by Kristin Levine. I did not enjoy this one nearly as much. I didn't relate as well to the main character and did not like his parents at all. There were other redeeming characters, but it wasn't enough for me. Also, as historical fiction, it didn't contain enough information for a child to really learn about the time period in which it was based.
May 31, 2015
Timmy, a typical popular kid sometimes makes bad decisions like stealing or bullying, but one time, he found a communist newspaper, and suspected it was from someone in the neighborhood, so he met up with a russian lady that agreed on teaching him some music, It was al part of his plan. He then found out that the lady is actually nice and friendly, But then the arrow pointed to someone who he never suspected.... This story is about trust, adventure and honesty
February 1, 2017
This book takes place in the mind set of Tommy a boy who recently has had a new baby sister and had a close family member die. While the cold war makes people worried the death of his retaliative sends his mom into wild mood swings, and as a result he takes his anger out on the world. Tommy knows hes not doing the right thing but only after framing some one as a communist does he set out to right the wrongs.
March 25, 2016
There is so much about this book that is amazing! Tommy lives in Downer's Grove, IL during the 1950's and, when burning newspapers, he finds a communist paper. Tommy makes some choices that end up affecting a lot of people's lives in his family and his town. He needs to be a real cowboy to make things right!
June 18, 2017
It was definitely a quick read, but it was hard to read about a boy who was bullied by his mom (home is suppose to be a safe place). And difficult to read about all the blame he internalized for his sis, and in return how he was a bully at times himself. Half way through the book it was still going on if not getting worse, then little by little, step by step you see how his life is affecting those around him. And how sometimes you can't do everything yourself, you need help...aka charity. It's so hard to do, but in the end that's how a community pulls together. I loved that. I also found it so interesting that the author based the story on her fathers life. There are hard things that happen in children lives and sometimes it takes growing up and looking back to try and make sense of how things were handled. Very interesting.
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