✰✰✰✰ Once upon a time there were two Baltimore boys named Wes Moore. Both boys had difficult childhoods without their fathers present. Both struggled in school. Both played sports and hung out on street corners. Both got into trouble with the police. Then things changed. One Wes Moore grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar and combat veteran, while the other Wes Moore ended up serving a life sentence in prison.
How could two boys with such similar childhoods end up in two completely different places? Was it fate? Or was there something else at play? When author Wes Moore learned about the manhunt for the other Wes Moore, he couldn’t let go of the idea that it could have been him the police were looking for. Where did their parallel lives diverge? Did the author simply make different choices or was it just chance that led them down their respective roads? This book takes a fascinating look at what makes a difference in a child's life.
The Bottom Line: Author Wes Moore delves into the difficult issues of poverty, education, sociology, racism, and drugs in his debut book. Part biography and part autobiography, Moore takes a look at both the striking similarities and startling differences between the himself and the other Wes Moore. Moore's honesty and engaging writing style will appeal to both young adults and adults. Highly recommended reading for those interested in social issues. Also, recommended for high school and college reading.
Book Club Notes: Our group often tackles challenging issues, and this book brings up many. We looked at the role of the family, growing up fatherless, faith, race, education, inner city life, and personal decisions. We also discussed life in prison and how that situation affects a person. We chose to discuss this title during Black History Month and were able to discuss many African American role models as well.
Our group gave this title an average rating of 3.8 out of 5. This was an engaging and quick read. It provided us with valuable insight into the issues faced by children growing up in the inner city. We agreed that the author did a great job at making comparisons and contrasts between the two young men while trying to remain objective. The group enjoyed a lively discussion about just what it was that made a difference, and we each had a different answer: lucky breaks, mentors, faith, support systems, personal choices. Perhaps it was a combination of factors that made a difference too. We highly recommend this for book clubs and also high school or college discussions.
There is an abundance of discussion questions online, including at both LitLovers and MPPL.
Our group gave this title an average rating of 3.8 out of 5. This was an engaging and quick read. It provided us with valuable insight into the issues faced by children growing up in the inner city. We agreed that the author did a great job at making comparisons and contrasts between the two young men while trying to remain objective. The group enjoyed a lively discussion about just what it was that made a difference, and we each had a different answer: lucky breaks, mentors, faith, support systems, personal choices. Perhaps it was a combination of factors that made a difference too. We highly recommend this for book clubs and also high school or college discussions.
There is an abundance of discussion questions online, including at both LitLovers and MPPL.
Details: The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore. Paperback published by Spiegel & Grau Trade Paperbacks in 2011. 250 p. ISBN: 978-0-385-52820-7
