The Boxer by Kathleen Karr

Bibliographic information:

Karr, Kathleen.  The Boxer.  New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2000.  ISBN: 0-374-30921-3

Plot Summary:

            Johnny Woods is a fifteen-year-old son of immigrants who supports his family by working in a sweat shop in late 19^th century New York after the family is deserted by their father.  Johnny is on his way home from work and sees an advert that promises to pay a five dollar purse for a boxing match.  He gets to fight, but does not go the distance before the bout is broken up by the police and he is arrested and thrown in jail for six months.  The protagonist is tutored in jail by a professional boxer Michael O’Shaunnessey, who also sends money to Johnny’s family.  Johnny even wins some money fighting in jail and is released with money in his pocket, a strong body, and a skill. 

            After being released Johnny finds that it is difficult to gain employment and has to survive by fighting for five dollar purses which is able to feed his family and allow him and his siblings to go to school.  As Johnny emerges from the ring each time with a victory, he makes more money and the family is a little better off.  He is asked to throw a fight and decides he can’t live with himself if he does, costing him his job.  O’Shaunnessey contacts him and is able to get him a job as a maintenance man while he trains at the New York Athletic club and becomes his manager.  Johnny fights bouts and does not seem to be able to be defeated.  Eventually a fight against what promises to be his toughest opponent is arranged. This fight will bring in a purse big enough to buy his family a house and allow the family the possibility of leaving the slums for the more salubrious suburbs.

Critical Evaluation:

            The book was a great illustration of the trials and tribulations of immigrant families in New York in the late 19^th century.  The book is told from the point of view of the protagonist and the internal and external struggles really make the story.  The struggles of other characters in the story are also apparent and are reflective of the troubles poor immigrants have faced throughout history.   The boxing action sequences are easy to follow, these are not too technical for someone who has little knowledge of the sport, but some technical language is used in the fight sequences.  The book also describes the early standardization of boxing and the writer must have had great knowledge of the history of boxing as well as techniques used in the sport in order to accurately convey this.

Reader’s Annotation:

Johnny is sent to jail for participation in an illegal boxing match.  The six months incarceration teaches him to really box and sets his destiny.  After release he is able to support his destitute family with a long string of victories.  Johnny fights to keep his family fed and to put himself and his siblings through school.  A major bout may be the only chance the family gets to leave the slums, but it will take every bit of strength and training for Johnny to win. 

Information about the author:

Kathleen Karr was born Kathleen Csere in 1946 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, but grew up on a chicken farm in New Jersey.  She has a degree in English literature from Catholic University and a MA in English Literature from Providencetown College. Karr has worked for the American Film Institute and the Circle Theater before becoming a writer.

Karr has written over a dozen books, most of which are historical fiction aimed at a YA audience.  Her efforts in the field of literature have been recognized and she is the recipient of the Agatha Award (2003) and of The Golden Kite Award (2000).  Her book The Great Turkey Walk was selected as best book of the year by Publisher’s Weekly and School Library Journal.   She is a widow and has two adult children.

Genre:

Sports Fiction/Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties:

History/Social Studies

Booktalking Ideas:

1. Talk about what ways Johnny is responsible for his family.

2. Focus on the larger social and economic themes which drive the plot.

3. Discuss the stages of Johnny’s development as a man.

 Reading Level/Interest Age:

15+

Challenge Issues:

None

Challenge Defense Ideas:

Should a challenge arise:

1.  Read the book.

2.  Be Familiar with the policy of the ALA and your institution.

3. Make a note of the contents of the work and how they fall in with the collection development policy of your institution and the standpoint of the ALA. 

4. Gain an awareness of the awards, reviews, and criticisms of the work, as well as other works by the same writer.

5. Know the process for materials challenges at your library.

Why did you include this book? :

I have a passing interest in boxing, which started in my teens, and this book seemed interesting.
Author Info page:
 http://www.childrensbookguild.org/kathleen-karr