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A review by mbladams
The Swag Is in the Socks by Kelly J. Baptist
3.0
This is a cute story that could have used a little more fleshing out.
Xavier is a typical middle school boy. He is trying to find his footing and figure out who he is, and what his "thing" will be. He lives with his great-aunt, sister and his great-uncle (who travels a lot, playing music). His parents are both incarcerated, but he is surrounded by family who love him. His goal this year is to be invited to join the Scepter League, a group of young men at his school who do service projects, dress up in fancy blazers, and receive mentoring from other men of color who are successful. His grandfather, great-uncle and father all were in the Scepter League, and he can't wait to follow in their footsteps.
Before school starts, Xavier receives a package from his great-uncle. He always sends strange presents from the road, and this one is no different. It is a pair of crazy, colorful socks. Why would Uncle Frankie send him those, and does he really want to wear them?
Xavier's year doesn't go exactly as he hoped it would be, but he begins to wear colorful socks every day (Frankie keeps sending him more). People love his socks, and they do give him the "swag" he needs to make his dreams come true.
This is really a 3.5 star book, mostly because while the premise is great, and the characters are great, the story feels too short. The ending is abrupt and while it is satisfying, I feel more could be said about the characters and where they ended up. I also questioned whether the Scepter League was really what Xavier needed, or if he could get the same benefits going his own way.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!
Xavier is a typical middle school boy. He is trying to find his footing and figure out who he is, and what his "thing" will be. He lives with his great-aunt, sister and his great-uncle (who travels a lot, playing music). His parents are both incarcerated, but he is surrounded by family who love him. His goal this year is to be invited to join the Scepter League, a group of young men at his school who do service projects, dress up in fancy blazers, and receive mentoring from other men of color who are successful. His grandfather, great-uncle and father all were in the Scepter League, and he can't wait to follow in their footsteps.
Before school starts, Xavier receives a package from his great-uncle. He always sends strange presents from the road, and this one is no different. It is a pair of crazy, colorful socks. Why would Uncle Frankie send him those, and does he really want to wear them?
Xavier's year doesn't go exactly as he hoped it would be, but he begins to wear colorful socks every day (Frankie keeps sending him more). People love his socks, and they do give him the "swag" he needs to make his dreams come true.
This is really a 3.5 star book, mostly because while the premise is great, and the characters are great, the story feels too short. The ending is abrupt and while it is satisfying, I feel more could be said about the characters and where they ended up. I also questioned whether the Scepter League was really what Xavier needed, or if he could get the same benefits going his own way.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!