Paperboy

Paperboy

Juvenile fiction
When the hubby and I moved to Veazie in anticipation of our
first baby, one of the first folks who knocked on my door was 11-year-
old P. J. (Peter Junior) Munn. He let me know that he would really
appreciate the chance to deliver the Bangor Daily News to my door.
That was an offer I could not refuse. P. J. and his little sister,
Heather, came through beautifully. When I was able to grab my first
coffee of the day my paper was always right at hand. And my carriers
were some of the most courteous young people I saw on a regular basis.
Maybe you've had that kind of experience. Maybe you were the
young woman or man bundling the newspapers and heading off in the wee
hours on your appointed round. Maybe your growing up years were
effected by your on the job training and close encounters of the
customer kind. Vince Vawter captures the essence of this coming of
age ritual beautifully in his first novel, Paperboy.
Stuttering is a torment for 11-year-old Victor. So many words
containing problem sounds are difficult for him to say, including his
own name. In baseball he's a pitching star. Off the mound just
answering seemingly simple questions or expressing thoughts is a
serious challenge. In 1959 speech therapy was not as state of the art
as it is today.
Needless to say, when he takes over his vacationing best
friend's paper route for a month, Friday afternoon collections are
what scares Victor. Just anticipating telling someone he or she owes
ninety-five cents gives him the heebie jeebies. Deliveries seem
easy. All his practice in precise and powerful throwing would be a
decided asset. What he is not at all prepared for is the knowledge of
some of his customers he gains. A beautiful red haired woman has him
fearing for her safety. A retired merchant marine shows him new and
fascinating ways in which to view the world.
Oh, yeah, and simmering in the background is a very real danger
posed by a neighborhood junk man with a penchant for theft and violence.
After reading Paperboy, it came as no surprise to learn that
Vawter had to overcome stuttering in his own life. His protagonist's
voice is too authentic to be based on anything other than personal
experience. This poignant coming of age novel, combining memoir and
fiction, is a good summer reading list selection.
On a personal note, last Saturday was the long awaited first session
of Orono Community Garden. We cleared beds and did the first seed
sowing. I was quite proud of being able to shovel out a whole truck
load of mulch without the slightest ache or stiffness.
A great big shout out goes out to kids and adults who struggle with
speech impediments and the professionals who help them find their
voices.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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