Based on a real life scenario, G. Neri has created this 2011 Junior Library Guild pick fictional story for teens. Ghetto Cowby is a unique story, written in a believable way from the point of view of an under educated twelve year old boy.
Other books by Neri include Yummy : The Last Days of a Southside Shorty, which won multiple awards in 2011, Chess Rumble and Surf Mules. Chess Rumble was awarded the 2010 IRA Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award as well as being receiving multiple awards over 2008 and 2009.
G. Neri on Ghetto Cowboy
It was an article discovered in LIFE magazine that arrested this author’s attention. Surprised to find black cowboys in the heart of the city, G. Neri researched this unusual discovery, finding a fictional piece being conjured in his mind.
Neri focuses on the historical events of a group of men that worked to get boys off the streets, and into horses. “…these cowboys gave the youth something positive: father figures, focus, and the ability to stand tall,” he says.
The Main Character
Cole is twelve years old. Having been raised solely by his mother, he hasn't had a male role model in life. Bored with school, the final straw comes when his principal threatens suspension. Not sure what she can do, Cole’s mum takes the young man on a road trip.
G. Neri narrates Ghetto Cowboy from Cole's point of view, the reader quickly learning how this twelve year old views the world. Cole has grown up in Detroit. Suddenly his mother’s decision results in his life being turned upside down.
"But you my mama! You supposed to watch out for me!" he accuses, far from thrilled with the change in events. The road trip takes them to Philadelphia, where Cole’s until now non-existent father lives.
Cole finds himself abandoned by his mother in the ghetto and left with a stranger whom he is told is his father. This is the last place Cole would expect to find a horse, let alone a stable full of them. And yet, as he finds the time lengthening from when his mother abandoned him, Cole discovers a band of black cowboys living in the ghetto.
An Escape from the Reality of Society
Cole finds horses large and intimidating… not to mention a waste of time. He doesn’t realise the incredible work that is being carried out by his father with these wonderful animals. Neri brings to life in his story characters that are based around factual people in the streets of Philadelphia, making this book an entertaining read with intriguing truth behind it.
Much to the Cole's disdain, he is expected to work whilst with his father. Everyone must contribute in some way. This is the way for all the kids involved – none are in school and spend their days grooming, washing and caring for horses. The alternative for most is brandishing a gun, dealing drugs, or other acts that will get them on the wrong side of the law.
Cole’s father uses horses to keep kids off the street and out of trouble. The stable becomes threatened by a series of events, all coming to a head when a storm causes great damage to the stables, culminating in the authorities moving in and claiming neglect of the horses. When some horses are taken away – including a gelding that Cole was slowly growing attached to – the young boy decides it’s time to act.
The Cowboy Way
Feeling a part of something for the first time in his life, Cole launches himself into rescuing the horses that have been confiscated. He finds himself with some unusual sidekicks and manages to free his favourite horse plus a couple of others. This leads to a showdown between the authorities, police and those standing up for ‘the cowboy way’.
A surprise visit from his mother leaves Cole questioning what he wants in life – the mother he’s grown up with or a new life with his father and horses. Ghetto Cowboy proves to be a unique but believeable story, narrated from the eyes of an undereducated young man who is learning what life is all about.
Source
- Ghetto Cowboy, G. Neri, Candlewick Press 2011, ISBN 978 0 7636 4922 7
Chris Thomas - C. Thomas has studied and worked with horses since 2001. She teaches horse studies part time and is undertaking an Equine Science ...
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