The Moves Make the Man

Name: The Moves Make the Man
ISBN: 9780064470223

by Bruce Brooks

In 1961 North Carolina, African American Jerome "Jayfox" Foxworthy forms a complex friendship with Bix, a white boy grappling with profound emotional issues. Through basketball, they confront racism,

About This Book

"The Moves Make the Man" is a Newbery Honor-winning novel set in 1961 North Carolina, during the Civil Rights era. It follows Jerome "Jayfox" Foxworthy, an African American teenager navigating school integration, and his unusual friendship with Braxton "Bix" Rivers III, a white boy struggling with severe emotional problems and a compulsion to tell the truth. The story delves into serious themes including racism, domestic violence, mental health, and family challenges, all woven around their shared love for basketball. Jerome, the narrator, offers a witty and insightful perspective on their lives and the societal issues they face. This book is ideal for middle schoolers ready for a thought-provoking read that explores deep emotional and social complexities.

A black boy and an emotionally troubled white boy in North Carolina form a precarious friendship.

Heads up, parents

racism

mental_health_themes

domestic_violence

peril_danger

Character Death

Discussion Prompts

How does Jerome's experience as the only African American student in his school affect his perspective and actions?

Bix struggles with always telling the truth. What are the advantages and disadvantages of always being completely honest, and when might it be difficult?

How does basketball serve as a way for Jerome and Bix to connect and understand each other, even when they face different challenges?

The book touches on serious issues like racism, family problems, and mental health. How do Jerome and Bix show resilience in the face of these difficulties?

What does the title "The Moves Make the Man" mean to you, both in terms of basketball and in life?

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