Every Pointed Star — David Booth

In Every Pointed Star, David Booth tells the interesting, sometimes funny, oddly moving story of J.D., a gifted football player who goofs his way through high school and expects to do the same in college. But J.D.'s questionable choices provoke a violent event with wide-ranging aftershocks that force him to look deep into himself and into the lives of his parents. Without recognizing what's happening, he begins to develop an inkling of the depth and significance in the silent lives of others and perhaps even in himself; simultaneously, circumstances may be turning J.D. in the direction of finding his voice as a writer. “… a rich, many dimensional story. J.D., its eighteen-year-old narrator is flawed, yet compelling and wonderful, one of the most intriguing characters I've met in a long time.” -- Joyce Engelson, veteran editor of Richard Condon, Norman Cousins, and others “… beautifully written and tight in its construction; Every Pointed Star's themes of muteness, secrecy, and fear of revelation are subtly presented… Good unraveling of the plot and very nice finish.” -- Richard Marek, former President and Publisher of E.P. Dutton “There are not many true voices of eighteen-year-old boys in current young adult fiction, but in J.D., David Booth has created a memorable one. Full of moral confusion and self doubt, forced to make critical choices without input or support from his cold and secretive parents, J.D. stumbles toward maturity. Along the way he finds (for the first time) friends, perhaps a girl and something like a life of the mind. A good read with a satisfying conclusion.” -- Jim Tolbert, Full Circle Bookstore, Oklahoma City “… the best literary sports fiction I've read since Irwin Shaw's 1955 classic, 'The Eighty-Yard Run'; but Every Pointed Star is far more than sports fiction. It's for anyone looking for a smart, creative, insightful novel that's fun to read.” -- Gene Knight, longtime English teacher and coach, former defensive back at the University of Oklahoma, Inductee into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.