So I'm watching the rerun of the recent debate between Senator Talent and Claire McCaskill and who do I see sitting right in the front row but Jane Rinehart, coach of Kansas City Central. She served as time-keeper for the proceedings.
And as I continue to watch, and I hear McCaskill say "um" over and over, I can't help but wish Jane had her little bell in front of her, the one she rings during practice rounds every time one of the kids stammers audibly.
A Chicago Tribune Best Book of the Year
A Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year
One of Kansas City Star's 100 Noteworthy Books of the Year
Winner of the William Rockhill Nelson Award for Nonfiction
Winner of the Harry Chapin Media Award
. . .
Forget the nerdy reputation that debate has. Instead think of a scenario as exciting as a sports game with high stakes like triumphing over racism. bad politics and abject poverty... An important, thoughtful and provocative look at race and class in America.
- The Boston Globe
Joe Miller's enthusiasm is infectious and the plot creates the suspense of a good courtroom thriller.
- Entertainment Weekly
The minute I finished Joe Miller's Cross-X, I held the book out in front of me -- amazed, rapturous, and hopeful... Miller's mesmerizing, vivid accounts of the debates will leave you crouched in your seat, holding your breath... An incredibly powerful, daringly hopeful book.
- Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Irresistible... Miller begins breezily but is soon deeply invested in the Central squad's mission to not only master the debate game on its own terms but revolutionize it with flashes of poetry and hip-hop wordplay... If all these kids could run things, Miller implies, imagine what could get done.
- Elle
2 comments:
favorite part of the debate: when talent responds to sylvia's question about immigrant households where some family members are here legally and others are not by saying, "could you repeat the middle part?" -- such a kid-caught-daydreaming-in-class moment.
Joe,
I recently wrote a Cross- X review for the Roanoke Times. I would love to send you a copy and a follow up commentary.
If you would to read these, my e-mail address is: cslemone@wmconnect.com.
At the end of the review I predict Cross-X will one day be a film.
Your truly,
Charles Shea LeMone
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