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Babylon Boyz
Dante, Pook, and Wyatt, 8th-graders in a rundown West Oakland, California school plagued by guns, gangs, drugs and violence as well as inept or indifferent teachers, don't have many choices in life. Dante, 13, was born to a crack-addicted mother and needs an expensive heart operation if he hopes to reach 30. Pook is newly 14 and, though handsome and muscular, with a dream of becoming a doctor, is an outcast because he’s gay. Wyatt, 13, is awesomely fat, though his biggest handicap is being smart in a stupid place. Dante’s father, though loving, is an engineer on a tugboat and often absent from Dante’s life, but Wyatt’s single mother, who owns a little cafe and lives in Dante’s building, provides ample mothering and most of Dante’s meals; while Wyatt’s younger brother, Cheo, provides a little brother figure. Pook, whose crack-addicted parents are mostly indifferent to him, usually cribs with Dante; and all the boys have known each other for most of their lives.The boys also know the odds are against they are trapped in an evil Babylon which is ruled by hate, violence and greed; an environment which, both blatantly and subtly, encourages young black men to fight or kill or exploit each other while discouraging any dreams they may have of someday getting out. The elusive magic formula for escape is mostly composed of money, and the only people around them who seem to have any money are hustlers, drug-dealers, and gun-toting thugs. Nevertheless, and thanks mostly to Dante’s strong father and Wyatt’s formidable but caring mother, the boys have thus far managed to stay as good as they can. This becomes obvious when they take in Radgi, a homeless, alley-dwelling 12-year-old.Then, real hope of money appears when Dante and Pook witness a major drug deal on the waterfront at night... a deal that goes bad when cops chase Air Touch, a 17-year-old wannabe gangster sent to make the buy. Air Touch, fleeing in his Dodge Viper, throws his gun and a suitcase-sized package out the window where they tumble beneath a parked truck. Confident because he’s clean, Air Torch pulls over, even though with his powerful car he might have gotten away. But, his thuggish bluster soon crumbles when he finds that the cops want the drug money and aren't enforcing the law. Finding no money, the cops Rodney King Air Touch and leave him unconscious in the gutter. Dante and Pook, hiding beneath another parked truck, snatch up the gun and the package, believing the latter to be full of cash.But their hopes are dashed when, arriving home and getting Wyatt to share their fortune, they discover that instead of bundles of bills, the package contains pure cocaine just off a ship. At first they consider flushing it down the toilet, but then Dante begins to speculate how much money it might be worth. Enough for his heart operation? Enough to put Pook through medical school? Enough for Wyatt to go to college? Pook and Wyatt are if they did manage to sell the coke, it would likely be cooked into more crack and end up back in their ‘hood. But Dante argues what’s the difference between paper or powder? Don’t people kill each other for money? Isn’t money evil, even if you need it to have choices in life? For the first time in their lives, the boys’ friendship is put to a test. Finally, though Wyatt is still reluctant and Pook remains troubled, an agreement is reached that Dante will try to find a buyer. But, if this becomes too dangerous, they will flush the stuff and try for the best of the choices they have.And it does become dangerous -- VERY dangerous -- not only for Dante but for all of his friends.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
5 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Jess Mowry
32 books21 followersWhy do I write?
"After almost forty years of working with kids and raising four of my own, along with a few strays -- none of whom are in prison or collecting Welfare -- not to mention over twenty years of writing books and stories for and about kids, I've found that it's a lot easier for people to be "pro-child" about some kids than it is for them to care about and champion "other" kids. Perhaps, like the animals in George Orwell's Animal Farm, some kids are more equal than others?
"Almost all my stories and books are for and about black kids, who are not always cute and cuddly. My characters often spit, sweat and swear, as well as occasionally smoke or drink. Just like their real-world counterparts, some are "overweight," may look "too black," or are otherwise unacceptable by superficial American values. Like on the real kids, they often live in dirty and violent environments, and are forced into sometimes unpleasant lifestyles.
"And virtually no one writes books or stories about them -- at least seldom in ways that don't exploit them, and/or don't glorify gangs, guns, drugs and violence. I've learned from experience that few publishers, including black ones, will publish positive books about these kids... books that don't portray them in stereotypical roles, and thus only reinforce the negative aspects of their lives.
"The result is that there very few positive books about these kids. This leaves them with no role models except stereotypes of gangsters, rappers or sports figures. Worse, virtually the only books that "white" (or more fortunate) children have to read about most black kids are also filled with these negative stereotypes. About the only exception are books in which black kids play a supporting role to a white hero.
"I have devoted my career, such as it is, to writing positive but realistic books and stories, not only for and about black kids, but also for "white" kids so they will understand that the negative stereotypes aren't true... that most black kids have other interests besides guns, gangs, drugs, violence, becoming rap stars, or playing basketball.
"When I first began writing I wanted to write many different kinds of books; adventure novels, magic, ghost stories. These were the kinds of books I grew up reading, though I often wondered why there were no black heroes, such as ship captains or airplane pilots... no black Indiana Joneses, Hardy Boys or Hobbits. But mainstream publishers only want the stereotypes: if not blatantly negative stereotypes, then only stereotypical positive images. Only what "good black kids" are "supposed" to do. What the mainstream white world expects them to dream about and aspire to be.
"I often write about violence because the U.S.A. is a violent country in a violent world and pretending it isn't doesn't help anyone. Most of my kids aren't angels, but they are being as good as they can be... which is a lot better than most people seem to think they are.
"To me, being pro-child includes all children, even kids whom it may be hard to like... especially kids who are hard to like."
"After almost forty years of working with kids and raising four of my own, along with a few strays -- none of whom are in prison or collecting Welfare -- not to mention over twenty years of writing books and stories for and about kids, I've found that it's a lot easier for people to be "pro-child" about some kids than it is for them to care about and champion "other" kids. Perhaps, like the animals in George Orwell's Animal Farm, some kids are more equal than others?
"Almost all my stories and books are for and about black kids, who are not always cute and cuddly. My characters often spit, sweat and swear, as well as occasionally smoke or drink. Just like their real-world counterparts, some are "overweight," may look "too black," or are otherwise unacceptable by superficial American values. Like on the real kids, they often live in dirty and violent environments, and are forced into sometimes unpleasant lifestyles.
"And virtually no one writes books or stories about them -- at least seldom in ways that don't exploit them, and/or don't glorify gangs, guns, drugs and violence. I've learned from experience that few publishers, including black ones, will publish positive books about these kids... books that don't portray them in stereotypical roles, and thus only reinforce the negative aspects of their lives.
"The result is that there very few positive books about these kids. This leaves them with no role models except stereotypes of gangsters, rappers or sports figures. Worse, virtually the only books that "white" (or more fortunate) children have to read about most black kids are also filled with these negative stereotypes. About the only exception are books in which black kids play a supporting role to a white hero.
"I have devoted my career, such as it is, to writing positive but realistic books and stories, not only for and about black kids, but also for "white" kids so they will understand that the negative stereotypes aren't true... that most black kids have other interests besides guns, gangs, drugs, violence, becoming rap stars, or playing basketball.
"When I first began writing I wanted to write many different kinds of books; adventure novels, magic, ghost stories. These were the kinds of books I grew up reading, though I often wondered why there were no black heroes, such as ship captains or airplane pilots... no black Indiana Joneses, Hardy Boys or Hobbits. But mainstream publishers only want the stereotypes: if not blatantly negative stereotypes, then only stereotypical positive images. Only what "good black kids" are "supposed" to do. What the mainstream white world expects them to dream about and aspire to be.
"I often write about violence because the U.S.A. is a violent country in a violent world and pretending it isn't doesn't help anyone. Most of my kids aren't angels, but they are being as good as they can be... which is a lot better than most people seem to think they are.
"To me, being pro-child includes all children, even kids whom it may be hard to like... especially kids who are hard to like."
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 10, 2010
Plot Summary
Three unlikely African American boys are best buds, having grown up in the same neighborhood of Oakland -that they call Babylon - since they were young. Pook is 14 and openly gay, Dante is 13 and has a frail heart condition, and Wyatt is14 and obese.
At the wrong place and time, Pook and Dante discover a gun a case of drugs, when a dealer they know and dislike is forced to throw them from his car during a police chase. After cluing Wyatt in, the three boys have to decide what to do with the drugs. Sell them to get money for Dante's heart surgery? Flush them down the toilet so to not perpetuate the drug culture and defeat of their own neighborhood? Not everyone sees eye to eye on what to do. On top of trying to figure this all out, the gang of three make two new interesting and complicated friends, whom are thrown into the mix. Suddenly the what to do with the drugs and the gun are not their only issues.
Critical Analysis
I appreciated the freshness of having a gay character of color, whom did not fit the traditional stereotype of gay characters. I was surprised to see this was written when it was. It seemed much more recent. Also, while homosexuality was an underlying theme, it was not at all the main story, but nicely woven in as a backdrop. Also, the story takes quite a few twists and turns that are unexpected, but not cliché. In general, Mowry presents ideas that have been written about a million times, but puts a fresh spin on them. It could easily be a coming of age story but doesn't feel like one. The dynamic friendships between the boys are very nicely crafted, developing slowly, as is their relationship to the dangerous world they live in. Setting, character development and story are well done. The actual writing still could have been improved. The characters, are all young, but would be easy for any teen to relate to.
Three unlikely African American boys are best buds, having grown up in the same neighborhood of Oakland -that they call Babylon - since they were young. Pook is 14 and openly gay, Dante is 13 and has a frail heart condition, and Wyatt is14 and obese.
At the wrong place and time, Pook and Dante discover a gun a case of drugs, when a dealer they know and dislike is forced to throw them from his car during a police chase. After cluing Wyatt in, the three boys have to decide what to do with the drugs. Sell them to get money for Dante's heart surgery? Flush them down the toilet so to not perpetuate the drug culture and defeat of their own neighborhood? Not everyone sees eye to eye on what to do. On top of trying to figure this all out, the gang of three make two new interesting and complicated friends, whom are thrown into the mix. Suddenly the what to do with the drugs and the gun are not their only issues.
Critical Analysis
I appreciated the freshness of having a gay character of color, whom did not fit the traditional stereotype of gay characters. I was surprised to see this was written when it was. It seemed much more recent. Also, while homosexuality was an underlying theme, it was not at all the main story, but nicely woven in as a backdrop. Also, the story takes quite a few twists and turns that are unexpected, but not cliché. In general, Mowry presents ideas that have been written about a million times, but puts a fresh spin on them. It could easily be a coming of age story but doesn't feel like one. The dynamic friendships between the boys are very nicely crafted, developing slowly, as is their relationship to the dangerous world they live in. Setting, character development and story are well done. The actual writing still could have been improved. The characters, are all young, but would be easy for any teen to relate to.
March 18, 2016
Babylon Boyz is an intriguing story of a group of boys living in the Babylon Ghetto. Dante, the main character, develops greatly through the story. He changes from a keep it safe boy to a brave and protective leader. This books lets us see what it was and is like on the other side of the tracks, and for some it's what they are going through. Mr. Mowry uses all the right slang and words to make us feel like we're there with the trio. Dante, Pook, and Wyatt, who are just trying to stay out of the Babylon game, the game where it's kill or be killed, and where the money and drugs are most important to the players. The friends try to stay out of the Babylon game for their different reasons. Each character is unique and special in his own way. Dante is the one with a heart defect. Pook is the brawny one who is shunned of his homosexuality and his wanting to be a doctor. Lastly, There is Wyatt the chubby one who is great at tagging and loves to take photos. There are the other characters like Air Touch, Jinx, and Radgi. Air Touch is the Gangster that they cause so much trouble; Jinx is the recovering crack addict; and Radgi the homeless one who's lost all his family. Jess Mowry pulls you into the world that Dante, Pook, and Wyatt live in. This book has a great message and a thrilling tale; that you won't be able to put it down.
March 9, 2010
I really liked the characters in this book. While I have no firsthand experience of the trials they faced (poor black boys doing the best they can in a world that is constantly beating them down) I was able to “become” and empathize with them. The boys were very complex and realistic. The plot was original with a true sense of conflict and suspense. The end of the book left you hopeful and with a positive message but still uncertain as to the fate of the characters. Mowry is from Oakland so the language is very authentic with a lot of slang and natural swearing without it becoming distracting.
This would be a great discussion book.
1) The book is 10 years old now. Do you think the conflict and characters still hold true?
2) There is a big emphasis on choices. If you were put in these boy’s situations, what choices would you make?
3) Where do you see the characters going in life?
4) Several characters refer to the US being the “richest nation on earth,” does this story make you question that statement?
This would be a great discussion book.
1) The book is 10 years old now. Do you think the conflict and characters still hold true?
2) There is a big emphasis on choices. If you were put in these boy’s situations, what choices would you make?
3) Where do you see the characters going in life?
4) Several characters refer to the US being the “richest nation on earth,” does this story make you question that statement?
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews