What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I have been looking for this book for over a decade. I first read it as a kid in like 2007 in one of those Reader's Digest compilations that had a few different books in them. My library used to set boxes of books outside and I'd pick them up.

Anyway, this book was about a black kid in a big city (in the US) -- I think on the east coast? I think it was during the 20s. I'm fairly certain it was a biography or autobiography. There's a part where he reminisces about summers being so hot that the tar on the roads used to melt and he'd scoop some up and chew it like gum. There's also a part where he has a toothache and it's cheaper to get it pulled (like 25 cents) than to have it fixed, so his dad decides to get the dentist to pull it.

These are the only things I remember from it, but I think about it soooo much. Please help!

How old did the compilation look?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reader%...

A list of all the Reader's Digest Condensed Book volume contents.

Lobstergirl wrote: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reader%...

A list of all the Reader's Digest Condensed Book volume contents."

Good idea. But I've been reading through it and there are just so many books, it's hard to find what it could possibly be. :(

Cilla wrote: "I have been looking for this book for over a decade. I first read it as a kid in like 2007 in one of those Reader's Digest compilations that had a few different books in them. My library used to se..."
They all looked the same to me. I read through a lot of the volumes.

King of the Hill: A Memoir by A.E. Hotchner? It appears in Reader's Digest Condensed Books Volume 212. Here's a couple of quotes:

"Here's fifty cents cash." My father put two quarters on the stand under the drill. My tooth hurt so bad I wanted to throw up.
Dr. Olvera looked at the quarters. "For fifty cents the tooth can be pulled," Dr. Olvera said. "Fillings are one dollar."

The only good thing about the St. Louis sun is, when it really gets going, it melts the streets, and you can just dig a finger in and scoop out a hunk and chew the black tar, same as Wrigley's.

Becca wrote: "King of the Hill: A Memoir by A.E. Hotchner? It appears in Reader's Digest Condensed Books Volume 212. Here's a couple of quotes:
"Here's fifty cents cash." My father put two quarters..."

THANK YOU!!! Yes! I was starting to doubt the main character was actually black, so this makes sense. Thanks again. :D

Glad to help!