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Boy21  By  cover art

Boy21

By: Matthew Quick
Narrated by: Ben Lukens
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Publisher's summary

You can lose yourself in repetition - quiet your thoughts; I learned the value of this at a very young age.

Basketball has always been an escape for Finley. He lives in broken-down Bellmont, a town ruled by the Irish mob, drugs, violence, and racially charged rivalries. At home, his dad works nights, and Finley is left to take care of his disabled grandfather alone. He's always dreamed of getting out someday, but until he can, putting on that number 21 jersey makes everything seem okay.

Russ has just moved to the neighborhood, and the life of this teen basketball phenom has been turned upside down by tragedy. Cut off from everyone he knows, he won't pick up a basketball, but answers only to the name Boy21 - taken from his former jersey number.

As their final year of high school brings these two boys together, a unique friendship may turn out to be the answer they both need.

©2014 Matthew Quick (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"The answers here are satisfying but never simple… A story that, like Finley, expresses a lot in relatively few words." ( Kirkus)
"Beautiful...It is this depth that makes Boy21 more than a first-rate novel fueled by basketball; it's a first-rate work of art." ( The The New York Time Book Review)
"His emotionally raw tale retains a delicate sense of hope and optimism, making it a real gut punch of a read." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Boy21

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Nice teenage journey

The story is nicely put together and the narrator’s tonality is enjoyable to listen to

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

amazing

loved it, it was a very emotional book and very interesting i will recommend it









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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very good summer listening!

This book was given as a summer reading assignment for my child going into 9th grade. I got the Audio version so I could listen and be able to discuss the book with her. I am glad I did because it is really a great book. I think young adults and older would find value from listening or reading Boy 21!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

good YA book

An easy read about the struggles of a teenage boy and his acceptance of his family. basketball, and the past.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Boy 21

Love it...not as corky of a story line. Still know kinda wacky. I think if Finley can & will make a life for himself

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  • VS
  • 09-02-19

Amazing truly amazing

This is a great book truly sad enjoyable and making always questioning what’s is going to happen next

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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good book recommendations to everyone. great plot and even better story line. it was fun to read and hard to put down

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Lit

Lit book. Cool book. Swag narrorrator. Lit lit lit lit lit lit lit lit savage lovely

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Book

I loved this book, this book is all about basketball, and I like that lol

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Best service ever

Although the book took 5 hours the man reading it was clear and played the voices great

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