Black Boy White School

by Brian F. Walker

In a hard-hitting novel about fitting in—or not— Anthony “Ant” Jones gets transported from his East Cleveland hood to an almost all-white prep school and has to figure out where he belongs...before he loses himself entirely.  Black Boy White School is a memorable debut that will appeal to fans of Walter Dean Myers and Sherman Alexie. Anthony has never been outside his rough neighborhood when he receives a scholarship to Belton Academy, an elite prep school in Maine. But at Belton things are far from perfect. Everyone calls him “Tony,” assumes he’s from Brooklyn, expects him to play basketball, and yet acts shocked when he fights back. As Anthony tries to adapt to a world that will never fully accept him, he’s in for a rude Home is becoming a place where he no longer belongs. In debut author Brian F. Walker’s honest and dynamic novel about staying true to yourself, Anthony might find a way to survive at Belton, but what will it cost him?

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, African American, Teen, School

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 3, 2012

Reviews

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This weekend I had the honor of reading the first novel of my favorite high school English teacher. Brian Walker was the first person to teach me how to build an argument in a paper. I remember whenever I'd give an opinion about what we read he'd shout WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE!! And send us scrambling through our book to find a quotation. Brian always had such moving and insightful things to say about race, things that impacted me even then as a naive privileged white girl and I've continued to think about as an adult, especially now that I married a black man.

This book is incredibly moving. It's written for a young adult audience but there is enough subtle symbolism and important topics to be thought provoking for adult readers. There are a lot of frightening adult themes-- drugs, swears & slurs, gun violence, etc-- that could turn off some teachers and parents, but in my opinion I think it was refreshing to have these very real facts of life not sugar-coated. Trust kids, they can handle it.

Walker eloquently-- and with great subtlety-- demonstrates how non-homogenous the black experience is and how many white people have trouble understanding that. Ant has a different lived experience than the other black kids in the school (and among them, their perspectives on race vary wildly, from Gloria to George), but no one realizes it. The town is filled with Somali immigrants, which adds to the tense race relations in town. And there's one black teen ("Claude") who doesn't talk to the other black kids at all. And yet the people at the school can't understand that all black people are not the same- they assume he's from Brooklyn, call him "Tony" without asking if he likes that nickname, and more.

Walker also demonstrates the bidirectionality of this assumption-making: Ant thinks all the kids at his school must have butlers, learns later on that this is not true, and that the white kids also have diversity within them.

The school environment was very interesting as well, and beautifully portrayed. I loved the complex way a school can be supportive and open minded in some ways and yet still demonstrate some of the ignorance and subtle racism even the best intentioned people can harbor. My favorite was the scene with the headmaster, where the headmaster enthusiastically tells Ant he'd love to talk to him about his ideas, and Ant tries to raise some important race issues and the headmaster says "we'll talk about this later!".

Of course, I thought back to my own experience at a private New England boarding school (the same school where the author still teaches!). I wondered how much Walker pulled from his own childhood experience (that is very similar to Ant's) and how much came from my school. I loved my school, and as an adult, I see most of my favorite teachers are still there, which reinforces my belief that it is a wonderful place. The school in the book was supportive of Ant, which reminded me of my experience.

I could go on and on- there is so much to talk about with this novel! But I'll stop rambling and conclude that this was a truly wonderful book and I hope more people read it and it gets more buzz. If you enjoyed "Prep", or disliked "Prep" but were interested in the topic, and if you are interested in coming of age novels and/or race relations in America, you will like this book.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a year in his life where he learned a lot about the world. Ant didn't know much about life outside of East Cleveland, but after one of his friends is murdered right in front of him, he seizes the opportunity to attend prep school in Maine. His got quite an education during his year at Belton Academy. Thrust into a very white world, Ant struggled with fitting in while not losing himself. He gravitated to the very few Black students who also attended the academy and were all coping in their own way. I really liked the way Walker contrasted their experiences with Ant's. Each came with a different point of view and each helped Ant form his own understanding. I really felt for Ant too. His frustration with living between two worlds but never really belonging to one rang true, and though the ending made me a bit sad, I appreciated how much Anthony had grown from his trials.

BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS

[Rachee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally just finished reading Brian F. Walker's Black Boy White School and I cannot wait to share it with someone, anyone. Anthony "Ant" Jones is given a scholarship to an elite prep school in Boston. Leaving his East Cleveland neighborhood he struggles with the realization that he may never fit in with either world.

Ant's struggles with fitting in seem so familiar. Readers will relate to the struggle Ant has of growing and become a different person while trying to remain true to himself. The book begins with a glimpse of Ant's life in Cleveland, his friends and learning of being accepted to the school. Here we learn that Ant struggles with wanting better than where he is but also worrying about whether the school will be something he can accept.

Once Ant arrives at Belton, he struggles to fit in. He wants to play by the rules but notices that the rules are not the same as in his handbook. Befriending the handful of Black students, Ant sees that he must play a role in order to fit in but he struggles. Should he follow the advice of the George, a fellow Black student and star of the basketball team, or should he rebel and confront the injustice he feels?

When he returns home during breaks he sees that he is beginning to grow from the neighborhood he comes from but is unsure of where he belongs.

This book encouraged me to ask myself what matters? Is it the education and opportunity one may get from an elite school? Is it being confident and comfortable in who you are and how the world sees you? Is it getting along for the sake of getting along in order to survive?

There is a subplot in the book about Somali refugees that seemed to highlight Ant's increasing discomfort with his place at school. Tension rises as the small town the Belton school is located in becomes populated with Somali's. Tension within Ant rises as he tries to figure the process to help him succeed as a student.

This was a quick read; I finished this within a few days. I think anyone who may have felt like an outsider will enjoy this book.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find it unfortunate that Black Boy, White School by Brian F. Walker has received so little attention online. Black Boy, White School is a young adult novel about Ant, a black boy from East Cleveland who earns a scholarship to a boarding school in Main. Black Boy, White School is a quick read with interesting insight about racism.

Read the rest of my review here

[Heidi | Paper Safari Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Racism...that dirty work no one likes to talk about or brushes under the rug. It makes people uncomfortable so we don't talk about it or only talk about it on a superficial level.

This is an easy read about a hard subject. "Ant" comes from a rough neighborhood, he doesn't want to go to Maine but after one of his best friends is shot and killed when they are together he makes the decision to go. What he finds is that fitting in might mean losing his identity. People at school call him Tony no matter how many times he corrects them, they think he is from Brooklyn because thats where the other black kids at the school are from and when he stands up against a hazing tradition he is thought of as dangerous.

Fighting stereotypes is hard, trying to fit but maintain your identity even harder. I think many people may not understand when "Ant" goes through but as a Puerto Rican Jew who lived in the city and went to school in the suburbs I felt "Ant's" story profoundly. Oh I looked like I fit in with the other kids but I lived in a two bedroom apartment in a the city and they lived in mansions in a wealthy suburb. I had one parent and they had two. It was a struggle to fit in but when I was home it was also a struggle, school changed me. I was learning about things that the people in my neighborhood couldn't relate to, I was going places they had never been. When I was home I felt like a stranger and at school I felt like a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. Would I change my experience? Never but it wasn't always easy.

"Ant" had it worse. He couldn't even try to blend in. He couldn't change his skin color and the well meaning people at the school had blinders on when it came to racism...if they ignored it or made platitudes it would go away. But an influx of Somali refuges create a tension in the small Maine town that ultimately lead to "Ant" teaching them a thing or two about race. I can't recommend this book enough. It was fabulous.

[EnigmaticEnergy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such high hopes before reading this book but I was really let down. As a Black male who grew up feeling out of place, I was looking forward to reading about Ant's journey.

From the first few chapters, I wasn't feeling the way the story was being told. It got better as the book progressed but I feel like there was too much telling and not enough showing. I didn't like how it wasn't really explained why Ant received the scholarship to Belton. Yes, it was said that Black students are recruited for their basketball skills but Ant was never any good at the sport. He says he had average grades and got into trouble sometimes, so why would Belton spend thousands of dollars on this type of student. It seemed like a stretch to me.

I did like how his relationship with his mom was portrayed. I could relate and I see that type of relationship in other black families. I thought many of the other characters had potential and I liked them, but there wasn't enough development for me to really get to know them. I feel that if this book were told from Ant's POV it would've been a more fluid read. And the moments that should have tugged at my heart strings really didn't. The deaths of his friends is a prime example. It was sad because death is sad but the author didn't make me feel anything deeply.

The storyline about racism was a strong part of the book. Ant's thoughts and feelings rang true to how many Blacks feel and what they/we go through.

I also think the dialogue was a highlight. I enjoyed the conversations and the way certain words were abbreviated.

Brian Walker has a ton of potential as an author. Although I didn't think this book was stellar, I would give him another try. Keep writing brother. We need more of these stories.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid debut from and author I will delight in following. This was a great quick read. The authenticity the authors' voice lent to the story was very apparent. The switching up of the language used from his home of East Cleveland to learning to understand the 'prep' school language was very well done and gave me a deeper feel for his dilemma of fitting in to neither of his worlds.

Yes there were parts where I felt it could have done with a bit of more careful editing, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to the next book from this exceptional author.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLACK BOY WHITE SCHOOL by Brian F. Walker, HarperTeen, January 2012, 256p., ISBN: 978-0-06-191483-6

"Anthony went to the main building and registered. They gave him a lot of things to read plus his room key. John had been right: He was staying in Kaster Hall, on the freshman floor. He left the desk and moved through the crowded lobby, making sure not to bump anyone or even make eye contact. Most of the kids were with their parents and all of them were white. Self-conscious, Anthony walked quickly toward the door. A man in a bow tie stopped him, though, before he could leave.
"'Anthony Jones?'
"Ant nodded but didn't say anything.
"'Fantastic!' The man grabbed Anthony's hand and shook it. 'Good to meet you, Tony.' he continued. 'I'm Mr. Kraft, director of admissions.'
"'Nice to meet you, sir,' Anthony said. 'Thanks for letting me in.'
"'Nonsense. We should thank you for coming.' Mr. Kraft clapped him on the shoulder and squeezed. Then he waved to a passing man in the crowd. He was big and had bushy eyebrows. 'Tony, this is Mr. Rockwell. Coach, meet Tony Jones.'
"The tall man shook Anthony's hand and nearly broke it. 'Welcome to Belton, Tony. Where you from?'
"'Cleveland?' He made a face and both men smiled. Anthony smiled, too, although he didn't know what was funny. 'Had a kid here from Cleveland once, he could jump out the gym.' The coach looked Anthony up and down. 'What about you, Tony? You play any hoops?'
"'Basketball?' Anthony though about his brother's warning and shook his head. Didn't they see how short he was? 'I ain't no good.'
"'Maybe not yet,' Mr. Kraft said with a wink. 'But give it time.'"

It always unnerves me to experience how a chunk of the 99 percent is left to live (and die) in twenty-first century America, particularly when is as well-articulated a view of that life as are the harrowing opening scenes of young Ant Jones's trying to keep on keepin' on in East Cleveland, Ohio. That is, before his witnessing the drive-by murder of a close friend becomes the straw that persuades him to accept the admission he's been offered to attend Belton Academy (Established 1844), a prep school in rural Maine.

I don't think I've ever even visited a prep school, other than through reading stories and seeing movies. It quickly becomes clear that Anthony, as an incoming freshman and the odd (black) man out, is going to need all of the instinct and survival skills he's developed at home to make it at Belton:

"None of the talk made sense to Anthony. Just like in class, the way that he saw things seemed different from everyone else. No wonder he had never heard of hazing before. Back at home, it would get someone shot."

This young man's strong sense of justice -- and willingness to act upon it -- quickly earns him some friends and a healthy number of enemies, both among his peers and among the adults

And then when he returns home for Christmas vacation, after four months away, he realizes that he no longer fits into the place where he's grown up.

BLACK BOY WHITE SCHOOL is the coming of age story of a year in the life of a young man from the hood. It is a high interest title that will appeal to lots of middle school and high school reluctant readers. It thoroughly distinguishes itself as a significant piece of young adult literature thanks to the story's probing -- through the words and deeds of adolescent and adult characters -- of attitudes, assumptions, mis-assumptions and prejudices that stubbornly persist regarding black and white in America. In addition to Anthony, there is a wealth of memorable adolescent characters, both in East Cleveland and in Maine.

This is a quick read that won't be quickly forgotten.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quasi-memoir by the author about a 14-year-old boy who grew up in a very bad section of East Cleveland, but manages to win a scholarship to start 9th grade at an elite boarding school in Maine.

Anthony's life before Belton Academy is contrasted with his life after he matriculates. In East Cleveland (EC), he had to contend with drugs, drinking, gangs, guns, and a culture that defined manhood in deleterious ways including “punching on girls.”

In Maine, he is one of only a few blacks, and he struggles to define himself among them. Acceptance carries a price:

"If I wanted to stay and get along with the people at Belton, then I had to become somebody else. Being black was okay, even cool, but only when it was convenient for others. If I sat with other black kids or wanted to talk about prejudice, then I was the one being racist.”

Meanwhile, back at home, he now seems too white; too non-ghetto for his old friends.

Anthony is not sure to which world he belongs, or even to which he wants to belong.

Evaluation: This well-written book provides an excellent glimpse at the pressures growing up in a neighborhood mired in poverty and crime, and the concurrent pressures faced by trying to leave that legacy behind. I have heard that The Beast by Walter Dean Myers is similar, but much more depressing; this one has a hopeful ending, especially since we know the author went on to be successful. I highly recommend this book for an understanding of what life is like in the chaos of blighted neighborhoods, and for a look at the hurdles to getting out of them.

Rating: 3.5/5

Note: This book has heavy use of the “n” word. If you missed all the controversy over CNN’s Don Lemon’s broadcast criticizing the use of this word by blacks, it is a dialogue well worth examining. This is a link to a video in which Don Lemon defends his broadcast as well as reactions to his statements.

[Phobean · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is so much to like about this YA contemporary novel that I picked up on a whim at one of my many local libraries. First, the title: can't get more bold or concise than that! The author has taken a topic about that has been oft-covered in the world of fiction about African-heritage children, put it in a bottle of one boy's personality and experience, cleverly added some adult wisdoms (through carefully-written adult role-models), and shook it. In this story, nothing is simple, little is as it appears, and everyone gets a taste of being in the right, or in the wrong. I appreciated the author's navigation of gray areas, also his careful description of how the character navigates newness -new experiences, new friends, new challenges- all while trying to remain true to his own personality. My one big critique is that, in terms of the conclusion, the author could have done better: instead of sticking to his strength of gray-area observations, he veers towards the black and white, and I think the book suffers for this surprising and, in my opinion unnecessary, unambiguous jolt. Still, you got me, Brian F. Walker. I look forward to your future work.

[Luis Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me this book called Black Boy White School was great it is about a kid named Anthony that’s from a ghetto neighborhood and is given a chance to go Belton Academy. But Anthony doesn’t want to go but his mom forces him to go. After being in the school he’s alright until he realizes that people in that neighborhood don’t like black people and are racist to him and others. This book is great I like everything about it the author Brian F. Walker did a great job and I hope he does more books like this. I think the author’s viewpoint is that racism can’t stop Anthony Jones from going to his school. Well I like the books main idea and I do think its convincing because Anthony goes through some hardships that most people can’t handle like racism and friends that died by guns.
I have not read any books like this one so can’t compare it with any other book. I would like to read more books like this because it keeps me reading more and more. This book is pretty much one of the best books I’ve read. This book has everything that gets my attention. If you like books that have are funny and sad then this book would be great for you.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anthony grew up in East Cleveland where there's little to hope for, and there's plenty of violence, drugs, and poverty. When he gets the chance to attend a private school in Maine on scholarship, he takes it -- and he faces the kind of racism and discrimination he never imagined.

The story is the strength here, as the writing leaves much to be desired. The characters are never really well fleshed out, there are intense moments that should have incited some feelings but failed to do so (there's a lot of loss in this book, but never once did Anthony mourn and while it makes sense because he's grown up having become immune to it because he has to, it's jarring). The use of third person didn't feel right in this particular story, but I suspect that will help make this a book reluctant readers will gravitate toward. The style makes it a quick read and one that'll resonate with middle schoolers and early high schoolers.

Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/03/t...

[Giselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the Book was really good and set out a good point of racism. It made you see how the main character had to deal with things and it makes you wonder if other people feel how he did, alone and frustrated with being judged. You were able to see the frustration in a couple of characters and how everybody expected them to come from the same state just because their race. Overall I really enjoyed reading the book I couldn't stop reading so when it came to the end I was so disappointed because I wanted there to be more. However I didn't really like how it ended because I wanted to know what happened next it left me with so many questions.

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Argh, I really wanted to like this book, and looking at all the other reviews, I think the problem is clear: way too much telling and not enough showing. It's really too bad, because the dialogue was mostly wonderful and I want to quote at least five different conversations here. *sigh*

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid, realistic story with strong characters that effectively tackles issues of class and race.

[Rad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad. Killer ending. And also really thought-provoking. Great book club read.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Black Boy White School” is a brilliant book written by Brian F. Walker. In this book you’ll meet Anthony but you’ll learn to call him Ant for short. Ant grew up in the streets of East Cleveland. His childhood was filled with known drug dealers and danger on the streets. He would be lying if he said his friends were saints. Ant never had the ideal role models. Everyone he grew up with only knew they wanted money. Ant had the chance to attend a new high class school in Maine. There were a few issues Ant had with going. For one, it was a mostly “all-white school”. It wasn’t that Ant was racist, but he knew he fit in with his own people. Once he was told that he actually made it into school, he was sent off to Maine with fear in his body and a small luggage bag. At this new school he realized he was different. The kids at this new school couldn’t name enough black people to fill one hand, but to be fair, Anthony couldn’t name one white person by name that wasn’t famous. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. “Black Boy White School” did a very quality job at putting the story all together. Every character was unique, I would recommend this book to people who like realistic fiction.

[Arisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book that led to many experiences and figuring out where the main character belongs.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Yourlocalneighborhoodemo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good little bit of a anti climatic ending. But overall I think it was good

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is much to like in this title that is likely to appeal to reluctant readers or those who rarely see their own lives depicted honestly in novels. After the death of a friend, Anthony (Ant) Jones reluctantly leaves behind his East Cleveland neighborhood for a prep school in Maine. He is decidedly in the minority there since there are so few African-American students, but at least he is safe from the violence of his city streets. Not only must he deal with upperclass hazing of freshmen, being poorly equipped for class and the assumptions of his peers and teachers that he is from Brooklyn and plays basketball, but he also has to deal with their shortening his name to Tony even when he corrects them and to the prejudices of some of the local citizens to anyone with a dark skin because of their anger at the growing number of Somali refugees in the area. All of these experiences might seem to be petty annoyances, but for Ant, they represent a lack of regard and respect for his identity and in some ways seem downright racist. All this might make readers expect Ant to hate Belton, but he comes to love the place in many ways, and when he returns home for a vacation, he no longer feels that he belongs. As so many who have left home for a very different environment have discovered to their chagrin, his experiences at Belton have changed him. In a sense he belongs in neither world. When he is home, he is afraid of dying on the streets, and when he is at Belton, he is angry at the almost-completely white world in which he is living. In fact, as the school year ends, he is even angry at his white allies. When his family cannot afford to pay the tuition, Ant speaks his mind at an end-of-the-year ceremony, perhaps changing some minds, perhaps not. The author is careful to show that Ant has as many mistaken assumptions about white folks as they do about him. I was with Ant all the way through the book until nearly the end. As he did, I vacillated about how I felt about his prep school and I hurt for him when Mookie dies at the beginning of the book and Floyd dies near the end. But I don't see how he is any more equipped to survive the tough East Cleveland streets now than he was before he left, and I find it improbable that someone at the school wouldn't have stepped in to provide him a full ride to school the next year. The author leaves plenty of issues unresolved and others resolved too neatly in the end. Would so many members of his audience have understood the message in his speech and then have taken the time to tell him so or to admit that he helped them grow? How will he resolve his earlier conflicts about returning home? What support systems could Belton have put in place to help him more? I'd like to know more about how he managed his academic turnaround and became a proficient writer, something that might have been provided with a few more classroom scenes. In the end, readers will be prompted to ponder how anyone manages to stay true to him/herself when there is so much pressure to change or to conform or when he/she hasn't decided who he/she is in the first place. Although the ending was disappointing and these was more dialogue than introspection, Ant seemed very real to me, and I will look for more from this first-time author.

[Teacher. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at my blog: HERE @ Teacher.Mother.Reader Book Blog

Black Boy, White School is a powerful book that struck many nerves, made me uncomfortable at times, pushed the limits in many ways, and made me think. Author Brian F. Walker paints a story showing truths that sometimes hurt and sometimes help all through the eyes of young black teen, Anthony. Anthony is precariously navigating the street life of East Cleveland, the violence and poverty stricken neighborhood in Northern Ohio. This is only part of the life that he has to balance. Anthony also is the teen who turns to a book for solace, the son who replies with a yes ma’am to his mother, and the scholarship student who will soon be attending a nearly all white prep school in New England.

This book is unapologetic in its realness. I say that because I have had Anthony as a student in my class. As I read, my heart actually was beating fast because of how closely Anthony’s East Cleveland life mirrored those of students I have taught. But the book’s author, Walker, doesn’t just expose the gritty street life in East Cleveland, he also exposes racism and hatred of immigrants. He weaves a story that looks at attitudes of young black students towards each other and their white peers. He puts age old traditions and what are deemed as socially acceptable practices under the microscope, so we can see them for what they are worth. Walker does all of this through the eyes of a 14 year old boy, so that we are forced into looking into a mirror, examining our own beliefs.

All this being said, let me be honest about the writing in this book. YA books sometimes can shock a teacher with the sex, swearing, open drug use, and violence. This book does all 4 of those things … in the first 4 pages of the book. If you are squeamish about gangster living or scared to know what’s really going on in the mind of your urban 8th grade students, this book might not be easy to read. As I was reading I also began to consider how I would approach a student about reading this book. While the book clearly doesn’t glorify sex, swearing, drug use, or violence it does give a hefty dose of these things. I suppose I would hope a student found this book and started secretly passing it to their friends, having secret little discussion groups behind my back. After all, the book was very well written, thought provoking, and generally would appeal to my urban students.

Recommended to students grades 10-12 and older interested YA readers.

[Michelle Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony "Ant" Jones is a cool kid on the streets of his dying neighborhood in East Cleveland. He's got his best friends Mookie and Floyd, and he's cool enough to hang with the older kids who like to drink and smoke. He fits right in, except for that part of him who is smart enough to win a scholarship to an elite Maine boarding school, hopes to meet Stephen King, and yearns to be a writer.

I couldn't help but like Ant, who isn't convinced that the boarding school is a good idea, at first. He's a practical realist with an optimistic heart who just wants to improve his writing craft and be somebody. But when his friends at home start dying, he realizes that in order to reach his dreams, he's going to have to leave. Once he arrives at school in Maine, he realizes that finding his place is that alien world is going to be harder than he thought.

First, he has to deal with people who make assumptions about everything from his name to where he is from and the sports he (doesn't) play. It's like they don't even see him. The racism starts with such microaggressions and ramps up to a racist message written in the dorm following a march led by racist townspeople protesting a growing Somalian community in their area. Ant has to decide how he's going to handle inability of his white friends to see him for who he is or to face their own racism. He also has to figure out who he is now that he realizes he'll always struggle to fit in the white community, but also no longer fits into his old neighborhood as he once did.

Overall, this book touched on important themes of racism and fitting in, but not as deeply as it could have. This is a good book for someone who is wanting to take a first step out of safe, dominant culture young adult literature and into realistic YA lit that will open your eyes to multiple cultures.

[Jaliyah Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Black Boy White School" is a novel that has to deal with racial politics and social structures of teens today, whether it’s fitting in or not.Many teen readers will relate in some type of way throughout this book no matter what race they are.
Growing up in a rough neighborhood of east Cleveland was all Anthony Jones knew until a tragic accident helps him make his decision about going to a prep school in Maine that he was accepted into.He feels like an outcast at Belton Academy but soon finds a way to make new friendships.He wants to be himself and still connect with others at the same time but thinks that he has to act differently to be like everyone else. When he returns home for break he doesn't do the things he used to do anymore.He changes but for the better.
The author Brian F. Walker wrote this book based on some of his real-life experiences growing up around drug dealers, gang members, and shootings until going to a private school.
I could relate to Anthony Jones about growing up around violence and moving to a new environment and school feeling different but wanting to fit in and still be yourself.I cared about Anthony throughout this whole book because while going through a lot he stayed strong and did what he thought was best for him and the people he cared about.I like how the author didn't hide the profanity to show true emotion that was believable.This book has everything to do with what still goes on in today’s world that deals with racism, stereotypes and judgement.
I don't recommend this book to just anyone because some teens don't understand and just cant relate to Anthony but i do recommend this book to teens who struggle to find their identity and where they belong.I rate this book 4 out of 5.

[Alexander Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anthony "Ant" Jones has grown up on the tough streets of East Cleveland, but he is leaving that all behind to attend a prep school in Maine. This mother has high hopes for his future. Anthony is hesitant about leaving his friends for an all-white boarding school. Surrounded by a bunch of new students and teachers who call him Tony, think he plays basketball, and assume he's from New York, Anthony must learn to navigate this new world and attempt to find a balance - if he can - between fitting in and keeping his identity - whatever that truly is.

At first, I wasn't taking to this title. I understood what the author was trying to do in the beginning of the novel, but it all seemed like too much too fast, and it made the world of the novel and its characters seem fake. As the novel went on, I did appreciate it more, but I still felt like there were too many stereotypes and common scenes from other works in order to find this title to be as good as it could be. The ending left me wanting to learn more about what happens next. I wish it kept going or included some type of epilogue for readers. As far as I know, no sequel is in the works.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that sticks with you long after you finish reading it.

Even though I couldn't always put myself in Anthony's situation, I found that by the end, I was both touched by him and his perspective on the world and actually worried about him. It ends on a positive note, but it made me feel like Hazel and Augustus from John Green's The Fault In Our Stars, wondering what would happen to the characters in this fictional universe after the novel ends. It's not something that I usually feel, but given the violence in East Cleveland and the racism he experienced at the prep school in Maine, the thought kept running through my head.

Read this book. Whether you have his experience yourself or you are just interested in reading books from different perspectives, it'll affect you.

[BAYA Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthony Jones, otherwise known as Ant is just a regular kid from the East Cleveland ghetto. He hangs out with his boys and drinking forties and smoking weed. When he gets a scholarship to a private boarding school in Maine his mother, wishing something better for her son pushes him to go. As Ant struggles to adapt to the mostly white boarding school he realizes that most of his classmates will never understand him for who he is. After a trip home for the holidays Ant begins to realize that having expanded his horizons beyond the “hood” means he doesn’t really fit in there anymore either.

Walker has written a really great book about classism and racism without moralizing. At times it feels like Walker hasn’t fully developed his craft, however the strength of the story as well as really good character development carries you through any lapses.

[Alex Templeton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say it, but I found this book disappointing. It has such a great and relevant premise: what it is like to be a poor African-American in a community of white, well-to-do people. I think I just felt disappointed that the book flew through Anthony's year at a private prep school. There were some tensions and conflicts that were given attention (I found Anthony's reaction, as a black man, to a faux-auction of his classmates for the prom particularly eye-opening), but I felt like they could have been delved into far further. In essence, the book seemed too short. I should note that I think this book could be a really (again) eye-opening book for white students, and one that black students will take solace in; it will go in my future classroom library. My critiques are those of an adult reader looking at it from a more "literary" p.o.v.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story had the potential to be powerful and deeply affecting, a bildungsroman for the ages, but unfortunately the characterization is weak and the story feels rushed and thin, so for me it fell rather flat. I knew that Ant would go through some changes and have trouble feeling like he still fit in at home, but the author tended to tell us what Ant felt rather than showing it, so the central struggle in the book really didn't move me as much as it should have.

Parts of the book were predictable, with much of the rest of the book seeming either really unlikely or just mildly interesting.

On the whole, to me the book seems like a memoir of something that happened 30 years ago, written without benefit of a journal kept at the time, except where it veers off toward the occasional banal Hollywoodism which breaks suspension of disbelief.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of an African American boy who has grown up in an area where drug crimes and violence are very much present when he moves to a small city in Maine to attend a private school. There, he is just one of a handful of minority students.

As soon as he gets there subtle racist incidents occur. He faces racism from his roommate's father, his teachers, classmates, and random people in town (white and black alike). Prior to living in Maine, he had never been treated like this so it was something new to him.

Further into the book, realizes his identity has been comprised by attending this school. He doesn't know where he belongs. He is not really "Ant" from East Cleveland anymore, but he definitely isn't "Tony" the prep school boy either.

This story touches some pretty important issues, and I really enjoyed reading it.