No One Makes It Alone

by Andrew Valdez

No One Makes It Alone, by author Andrew Valdez, is the true story of how a poor, fatherless, westside Latino paperboy - destined to be a respected judge - is plucked off a cold, wintery Salt Lake City street corner by an Anglo business owner who mentors and fathers him. Jack Keller, affectionately known as "Jack Mormon," shows streetwise Andy Valdez how to face adversity and take responsibility. Most importantly, Jack sets Andy on the right path to grow into manhood. No One Makes It Alone starts in the present when Judge Andrew Valdez discovers his mentor, Jack, confused and disheveled at a local grocery store. Over the years they lost track and now Jack is penniless and suffering the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The once strong and able-bodied World War Two veteran is desperate and alone. This chance meeting sets in motion reflections and memories of those days long ago when Andy and Jack spent their time under the cooling canopy of century-old trees at the tennis courts in Liberty Park. It was Jack's guidance and the game of tennis that taught Andy about honesty, competition, honor and fair play. Tennis opened the door to a new world of possibilities - and Andy walked through. No One Makes It Alone is an important book. It is a poignant story of how a boy grows into manhood - and great accomplishment - with the help and love of an older, unrelated man. But it is also a reminder to each of us of where we came from and who helped us along the way. No matter who we are, what color our skin, what side of the tracks we call home or what our country of origin is, there are far more similarities than differences between us. With the debate about immigration continuing, the lessons and values author Andrew Valdez serves up through the wisdom of his own experiences are welcome and needed.

213 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOOOOOO GOOD!

[Chana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written by Andrew Valdez, a man who is now a judge but was once "a poor fatherless, westside Latino paperboy". A man named Jack, a printer in town, takes an interest in Andy and gives him jobs around the printing shop and teaches him tennis. He gets Andy involved in tennis tournaments and gives him lots of motivation and education. He really gets Andy onto the path that will lead him to his success as an adult. Everything comes full circle when Andy, 40 years later, finds Jack begging in front of a store, filthy and suffering from dementia. Andy gets Jack off the streets and gives Jack care and dignity for the remainder of his life.
The book is not the most professional piece of literature I've ever seen, nor is the editing very careful; but the story itself is worth reading. It makes you feel that there are good human beings in this world that can be trusted. Jack was such a one.

[Dev · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is an election year for Judge Valdez, and I found out about this book from his biography printed in the Utah Voter Information Pamphlet. I am going to go to the library ASAP and get this book because he is a great juvenile court judge. He is tough and doesn't let the miscreants get away with anything! I should know as I am a teacher and numerous students have been referred to Valdez. The miscreants know Valdez is tough, but fair, and dread going in front of him! I can't wait to read it!

[Keersten · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspirational story. The writing is not the best out there, and I would really love to know what happened between childhood and when they meet again in adulthood. Otherwise, this is a fabulous easy and worthwhile read.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have liked to know a bit of what happened between the end of the print shop and the reunion. The typos were distracting (and there were quite a few). The story was amazing and time-worthy. Great book

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was written by one of our board memebers (the charity I work for). This book really made me grow to admire Andrew Valdez. He is a 3rd district Juvenile Court Judge here in Salt Lake City and this book is the true story of his life. I absolutely loved this book!

[Onica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good example of how everyday life can greatly effect others for good or ill. How life is full of opportunities to pay it forward and back. A good book to pick up occasionally and reread a section or two.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have liked to read more about Judge Valdez's family, how he was raised, things like that. Maybe he'll write more books in the future!

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can tell that Valdez isn't a professional writer, but I loved that this is a true story and that I know who this guy actually is!

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

On our book club list!

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

great story but, surprisingly, not that well-written. Judge Valdez came and discussed it at our book club, which make the book significantly more interesting.

[Christopher Vassel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I interned for Judge Valdez and decided to read his book before I started. I thought the book was well writen and a good portrail of a poor child growing up in downtown Salt Lake City.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written autobiographical type book by Andrew Valdez, a judge in Salt Lake City, about his hard life growing up, and the man who mentored him through the game of tennis.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is not very difficult in subject matter or word choice, what it does for clarifying just how much a little time means to a child, this is the book to read!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational true story and it's local! (Although poorly edited--the spelling and grammatical mistakes bugged.)

[John E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emotional rags-to-riches rise of a skilled Hispanic kid in 1960s Salt Lake City. Too many loose ends to really be satisfying.

[Meggin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was interesting, but it was one of the most poorly written books I have ever read.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to get to know the judge presiding over my custody case. I was impressed. Valdez has came from a poor single parent home. a nice biography.

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

The numerous typos were very distracting.

[Cory]

Highly recommended by Dr. Abe