How The Boogeyman Became A Poet

How The Boogeyman Became A Poet, Tony Keith's powerful memoir in verse, goes where far too few YA books venture, following him from high school into college. I've always wondered why more YA authors don't set novels in higher ed turf. It's the logical conclusion to that writing rule of thumb: kids want to read about older kids. If tweens want to read about tweens and middle schoolers want to read about high schoolers, why wouldn't high schoolers want to read about college students? They're facing the biggest transition in their lives, one full of unknowns, especially for the many who don't have a family college going tradition.
It's a highly engaging narrative with a fabulous but flawed, in other words, authentic protagonist. Nearing the end of high school Tony hasn't applied to any colleges. His sister had passed up the chance to be the first in the family to attend and gone straight from high school to the work world. Now it's on him. But some pretty formidable obstacles stand in his way. His SAT scores are shall we say on the low side. And then there's the money thing. His parents are separated. His father doesn't pay child support. His mother struggles to make ends meet. He has no idea how she can come up with application fees, let alone tuition.
And then there's his secret. Although he has a girlfriend, for him the relationship is more performative than real. He may actually be attracted to guys. He has no idea how to find out if he is. And there are pretty strong reasons not to confide in even his besties. He's not willing to risk losing their friendships. His church has made it perfectly clear where they stand, equating gayness with spending eternity in a fiery inferno.
Not to mention this boogeyman who's been following him around since he was six.
Fortunately Tony has some pretty formidable strengths. His coming of age narrative is well worth reading.
On a purrrsonal note, it's the second grey, dreary, rainy day in a row here in Penobscot County. At least it's supposed to clear up for the drag show tomorrow and be downright pleasant Sunday for those Easter egg hunts if not the sunrise services.
A great big shout out goes out to you, my readers, with best wishes for a joyous Easter to those of you who celebrate it.
Jules Hathaway