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Fast Talk on a Slow Track
From National Book Award finalist Rita Williams-Garcia!
Denzel Watson is a fast talker with a system, and it's made him valedictorian. But when he goes to a summer program at Princeton, he takes a fall. How can he tell his proud family that he won't be able to cut it in the Ivy League? Instead, he spends the rest of the summer selling candy, up against "Top Man" Mello, a drop-out with a police record. For the first time, Denzel is forced to take a hard look at himself -- and how much further he could fall.
"Williams-Garcia confronts some crucial issues that are generally ignored in YA issues of class and race, friendship and competition, identity and failure." -- Booklist
"Teens everywhere will be able to identify and commiserate with Denzel." School Library Journal , starred review
Denzel Watson is a fast talker with a system, and it's made him valedictorian. But when he goes to a summer program at Princeton, he takes a fall. How can he tell his proud family that he won't be able to cut it in the Ivy League? Instead, he spends the rest of the summer selling candy, up against "Top Man" Mello, a drop-out with a police record. For the first time, Denzel is forced to take a hard look at himself -- and how much further he could fall.
"Williams-Garcia confronts some crucial issues that are generally ignored in YA issues of class and race, friendship and competition, identity and failure." -- Booklist
"Teens everywhere will be able to identify and commiserate with Denzel." School Library Journal , starred review
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
2 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Rita Williams-Garcia
38 books761 followers"I was born in Queens, N.Y, on April 13, 1957. My mother, Miss Essie, named me 'NoMo' immediately after my birth. Although I was her last child, I took my time making my appearance. I like to believe I was dreaming up a good story and wouldn’t budge until I was finished. Even now, my daughters call me 'Pokey Mom', because I slow poke around when they want to go-go-go.
"I learned to read early, and was aware of events going on as I grew up in the 60s. In the midst of real events, I daydreamed and wrote stories. Writing stories for young people is my passion and my mission. Teens will read. They hunger for stories that engage them and reflect their images and experiences."
Author of four award winning novels, Rita Williams-Garcia continues to break new ground in young people's literature. Known for their realistic portrayal of teens of color, Williams-Garcia's works have been recognized by the Coretta Scott King Award Committee, PEN Norma Klein, American Library Association, and Parents' Choice, among others. She recently served on the National Book Award Committee for Young People's Literature and is on faculty at Vermont College MFA Writing for Children and Young People.
"I learned to read early, and was aware of events going on as I grew up in the 60s. In the midst of real events, I daydreamed and wrote stories. Writing stories for young people is my passion and my mission. Teens will read. They hunger for stories that engage them and reflect their images and experiences."
Author of four award winning novels, Rita Williams-Garcia continues to break new ground in young people's literature. Known for their realistic portrayal of teens of color, Williams-Garcia's works have been recognized by the Coretta Scott King Award Committee, PEN Norma Klein, American Library Association, and Parents' Choice, among others. She recently served on the National Book Award Committee for Young People's Literature and is on faculty at Vermont College MFA Writing for Children and Young People.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 21, 2017
2.5 out of 5
The main character is incredibly self-absorbed and arrogant (i.e., quite unlikable), and the sudden change of heart towards the end didn't seem very convincing to me. Also, although I liked the beginning and the ending of the story, there wasn't much of a plot in the middle and thus I felt rather disengaged.
However, I must admit that Denzel's thoughts and emotions feel very realistic (except for his sudden change of heart, that is), and the book in general seems authentic, emotionally raw and daring as it bravely acknowledges many ugly truths about race and class.
The main character is incredibly self-absorbed and arrogant (i.e., quite unlikable), and the sudden change of heart towards the end didn't seem very convincing to me. Also, although I liked the beginning and the ending of the story, there wasn't much of a plot in the middle and thus I felt rather disengaged.
However, I must admit that Denzel's thoughts and emotions feel very realistic (except for his sudden change of heart, that is), and the book in general seems authentic, emotionally raw and daring as it bravely acknowledges many ugly truths about race and class.
October 2, 2022
A story about a young brother who thinks he's got it all figured out only to realize that the real world doesn't quite work that way. I went from despising the protagonist in his arrogance, to sympathizing with him by the end. That's good writing if you ask me.
September 4, 2007
Terrible, miserable experience of a book. I loathed the main character, couldn't find a plot to save my life, and pretty much hated every second of this book. Read for my YA Lit class, because otherwise it would have been chucked at page 2, assuming it even got that far.
June 9, 2018
I read this for the Ethnic Crit section in my Critical Theory class, and I could see why. There's so much commentary going on here, and it doesn't feel at all overwhelming because of how true to life it is--the fact that Denzel is valedictorian at a disenfranchised school doesn't help him at an Ivy league, the fact that there's colorism and racism within his work group, the fact that he must code switch based on where he is, the fact that his family is intent on him getting a better education so that he could be better off than them, the fact that his family wants Denzel to be interested in his roots...it's all very true to life, and the fact that these are struggles still happening today despite it being published in 1991 proves to show just how little has changed.
Understandably, Denzel isn't necessarily the most compelling character--he's pretty self absorbed, and he takes forever to come to a decision about going to an Ivy league school. But also...he's a teenager, who's forced to make a decision that will ultimately affect the rest of his life. And he's terrified. And he copes with that terror through a blase and angsty attitude, an attitude that appears to help him more when he's with his work crew than his family or student colleagues.
Overall, I definitely appreciated this book for what it had to say about very important topics--granted, I couldn't personally relate to them, but they were posed in such a way that helped me better understand and empathize with Denzel.
Review cross-listed here!
Understandably, Denzel isn't necessarily the most compelling character--he's pretty self absorbed, and he takes forever to come to a decision about going to an Ivy league school. But also...he's a teenager, who's forced to make a decision that will ultimately affect the rest of his life. And he's terrified. And he copes with that terror through a blase and angsty attitude, an attitude that appears to help him more when he's with his work crew than his family or student colleagues.
Overall, I definitely appreciated this book for what it had to say about very important topics--granted, I couldn't personally relate to them, but they were posed in such a way that helped me better understand and empathize with Denzel.
Review cross-listed here!
November 18, 2017
I was both confused by and sympathized with Denzel. I was confused because I didn’t understand his choices in the story, but I was sympathetic because I understood the driving force behind them. I too have been the big fish in a small sea and then been shocked by finding there is more to learn.
January 8, 2011
This wasn't really disappointing because I wasn't expecting much, but still, I had to put a tag of some kind to show my disapproval. I just couldn't figure out why I should care about some whiny boy. I tried to relate but I just couldn't. Sure the main character in the story and I both care about our grades but he was just too arrogant to me and I couldn't read the book anymore. Plus it was due at the library. Basically I advise that you don't waste your time with this book, and if you decide that you won't take my advice then be forewarned that you'll end up stopping on page 25 like I did :/
May 2, 2013
"Fast Talk on a Slow Track" mostly tell us about the students who are trying to get on to their career, and the smartest kid who used to read in his own way to get the answer. He won't be wrong but the teacher proves him wrong.
I like the main character in this book because he is kind of related to me and caring of their grades is one of the most important things in life. He used to care too much for his grades.
I like the main character in this book because he is kind of related to me and caring of their grades is one of the most important things in life. He used to care too much for his grades.
March 25, 2008
Wanted to slap the main character for most of the book, but it showed a good picture of how some kids feel when they get to college, also good because he finally seems to realize that he's not as smart as he thinks.
March 28, 2008
worst main character ever. Could not relate to him or this book at all.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews