About the Author

Julian Houston was born in Richmond, Virginia, and educated in the public schools of that city before attending the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. He attended Boston University and was a community organizer in Harlem during the civil rights movement. He is now an associate justice of the Superior Court of Massachusetts. Julian Houston lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife and family.

Reviews

"[A] powerful debut novel. . . . A great addition to the history shelves, this brings up much for discussion about then and now." --Booklist, Starred Review "This is history without the sensationalism, in which small acts of resistance eventually change the rules." --The New York Times Book Review "Houston's depiction of racism during the 1950s is brutally honest. . . . With a likeable narator making tough decisions, New Boy is bound to elicit lively discussions." --Book Page "A strongly effective work of historical fiction." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books --

Gr 7-10-In the 1950s, Rob Garrett, 15, leaves Virginia for a prestigious Connecticut boarding school. His dentist father and schoolteacher mother are proud of their son's academic record and potential but anxious because he is the first African American to attend Draper. Rob quickly learns that bigotry takes many forms. He befriends Vinnie, whose acne, New York-Italian background, and vulnerability make him a target among the elitist students. On a weekend visit to a cousin who lives in Harlem, Rob unwittingly encounters Malcolm X and his followers and discovers a hostile, separatist attitude that disparages association with whites and Jews. When Rob learns that a lunch counter sit-in is planned in his hometown, he joins the protest, but then returns to Draper to pursue his dream of success. Although he is not in the activist trenches of the Civil Rights movement, his story sheds light on the social dilemmas that confronted privileged African Americans at the time. Wary but remarkably focused, Rob espouses the need to represent his race well and to make a difference. He is a well-spoken, reflective observer who empathizes with the pain of others but remains relatively unscathed. While maintaining honor-roll status, he contemplates the rise and fall of Joe Louis, is intrigued by the Harlem culture, and ponders the explosive rage of Minister Malcolm. The strong cast of characters, steady progression of events, realistic dialogue, historical facts, touch of romance, and coming-of-age awareness and reflection will appeal to readers.-Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.