For the folks back home...
There was an article about me in today's paper.
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
1 comment:
Mr. Miller,
Heard about Cross-X on NPR last year and finally got around to reading it cover to cover on a flight this week. NEXT week will be purchasing 3 copies to give to family and friends. Why did I wait so long to read it?
I am "Suzy's Mom". One son captained the Rockhurst debate team, another son debated at Raytown, and a daughter who tried it at O'Hara. I never understood what I was supposed to don or how to judge. I was never given guidelines or instuctions. It was simply get up early on a Saturday morning and show up.
As I look back, I know there were teams I voted against because of my own lack of debate knowledge. Even worst, I'm sure my political leanings (to the left) affected my scoring.
About 6 or 7 years ago I played the role of Suzy's Mom in a round between Ray South and some other team. I voted for the "other team". I was told by my son that the bright black kid from South (Chris ??) had RARELY lost, was a debate superstar, and had already done an internship or something in DC for his future role in government. (My son also told me the kid was really pissed at me!)
This is what happens when Suzy's Mom judges.
I voted for Alvin Brooks, so you and I disagree on one thing, but Groundhog Day, Sam Cook, and Graham Greene are at the top of our lists.
You caused me to google Marcus and read about his political problems at UMKC. I'm starving to learn what has happened with the other kids I grew to love and respect.
You taught me so much about Kansas City. I moved here from San Francisco in '72 so only heard about the racial turmoil of the previous years from bigoted in-laws. And I'll never driven 71 through the city again without thinking of the irony of Bruce Watkins' opposition.
Thank you for opening my eyes to debate, Kansas City, and a teacher like Jane Rinehart. And I hope when you sign the movie deal that's inevitable, part of the money goes to Central.
In awe, Deidre Sexton
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