The Paper Cowboy
The Paper Cowboy by Kristin Levine is a reprint edition published by Penguin on March 1, 2016. This 368-page work of historical fiction explores the life of Tommy, who perceives himself as a cowboy but struggles with his identity as a bully. Set against the backdrop of the 20th century United States, the narrative delves into Tommy’s challenging home life, marked by his mother’s mental illness and the aftermath of a tragic accident involving his sister, Mary Lou.
Readers will find a story that intricately weaves themes of social issues, including physical and emotional abuse, and bullying. As Tommy takes over his sister’s paper route, he becomes embroiled in the complexities of his community, particularly when he discovers a communist newspaper that ignites fear among his neighbors. The unfolding events lead to a series of actions that exacerbate his family’s struggles and highlight the impact of his choices on those around him. This edition presents a nuanced portrayal of a young boy grappling with difficult circumstances and the consequences of his actions.
Official synopsis Publisher
The newest powerful work of historical fiction from award-winning author of THE LIONS OF LITTLE ROCK Kristin Levine.
Though he thinks of himself as a cowboy, Tommy is really a bully. He’s always playing cruel jokes on classmates or stealing from the store. But Tommy has a reason: life at home is tough. His abusive mother isn’t well; in fact, she may be mentally ill, and his sister, Mary Lou, is in the hospital badly burned from doing a chore it was really Tommy’s turn to do. To make amends, Tommy takes over Mary Lou’s paper route. But the paper route also becomes the perfect way for Tommy to investigate his neighbors after stumbling across a copy of The Daily Worker, a communist newspaper.
Tommy is shocked to learn that one of his neighbors could be a communist, and soon fear of a communist in this tight-knit community takes hold of everyone when Tommy uses the paper to frame a storeowner, Mr. McKenzie. As Mr. McKenzie’s business slowly falls apart and Mary Lou doesn’t seem to get any better, Tommy’s mother’s abuse gets worse causing Tommy’s bullying to spiral out of control.
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