Why I Fight

By J. Adams Oaks

Book Overview

Left alone for days on end, twelve-and-a-half-year-old Wyatt Reaves burns down the family house. His parents lose everything, but Wyatt's favorite uncle, Spade, whisks him away to "safety." Spade sees potential in the boy--to earn money--in the bare-fist fight racket. As the two travel across America for the next six years, living off Wyatt's earnings and the goodness of ladyfriends, Wyatt begins to search for who he really is . . . and to realize who he isn't.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1442402547
• ISBN13: 9781442402546
• Release Date: July 2010
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

Coming of Age Story

This coming of age story is great for young adults and adults alike. It features a protagonist and subject that is rugged enough for young men and sensitive enough to make teenage girls swoon. Enjoy this page turner!

Excellent for youth and adults

Captivating story, interesting characters,accessible writing style. What I enjoy about Oaks and his forming of characters is that they breath their own breath. As an adult without children or teens, I enjoyed this book purely for my own enjoyment. I would recommend it for entertainment but also for a catalyst to deeper reflection. "Why I Fight," provides an opportunity to dissect where one comes from, how their environment shapes them, and what questions we ask ourselves about the world.

Why I Read

Despite being a "young adult" novel, this book has a compelling story and rich characters that held my (adult) attention strongly. I read it rapidly and found complex emotions in every page turn. The images are so immediate and accessible that it was like reading a screenplay. I was an avid reader during my "young adult" years (and beyond) and I do not recall ever reading anything like this. There exists unique and different gender and class perspectives in this book that are not often found in this genre. I highly recommend it for female or male readers of any age, but especially think it could be used as a jumping off point for heavier educational discussions with teens about class, race, violence, communication about emotions, and more.

The New (AND IMPROVED) Generation of YA Fiction.

When I was a kid I died for books like Oak's. In my day there wasn't a lot of options that mirrored the same voice driven plot of 'Why I Fight'. It was refreshing to be introduced to a world that most YA topics won't divulge in. But it's not just the story and voice that succeed. The author gets "it". He sees everything so clearly that his descriptions will place the reader so close to the story that it hurts to put the book down. With a mixture of serious topics mixed with emotional relevance, you can't help but think of another book intended for this age group that could ignite the same insights. Perfect for a classroom or even better for a starter reader-- this book will engage any audience.

This book packs a punch

This book is hard to categorize. It held my interest, albeit with a bit of the "can't look away from a car wreck" fascination. Wyatt Reaves is not very educated, big for his age (young teen) and oddly averse to repeating adult curses. He travels from place to place with his Uncle Spade, who is busy hustling a living, eventually using Wyatt as his meal ticket. Wyatt manages to maintain an air of innocence despite exposure to some gritty situations. If you like fiction with a dose of street-smart, gut-wrenching reality this is a good choice.