I read Paperboy for the first time after realizing that this book is its sequel. I did not love it as much as other people, but boy did I love this sequel! There is something about seeing how Victor turned out that was pleasing and meeting up with the other characters was like a family reunion.

Mr. Spiro has died. His last request to Victor Vollmer, now almost 18, is to spread his ashes where the Mississippi river meets the Gulf of Mexico. Against his parents wishes, Victor heads out in his sports car to New Orleans and regions south. He ends up making new friends, nearly dies, races a hurricane, and comes of age.
I had forgotten how much I loved this character from Paperboy, until meeting him again in this novel. Mr. Vawter never expected to write the sequel, but was inspired by questions from fans of his first novel.
I hope he is somehow compelled to tell us more of Victor’s story. I’m not ready to let go of him.

I was very excited to see that Vince Vawter had written a sequel to his book Paperboy. Victor Vollmer was such an endearing character and I've often thought about him since reading that book.

Now, six years have passed since the then 11-year-old Vic met Mr. Spiro while temporarily taking over his friend Rat's newspaper route for a month. Back then, the very well read and very well traveled Mr. Spiro became a true friend to Vic, patiently helping him understand the world a little better and offering ways to help him manage his stutter, and the two remained friends.

Now, it's the summer of 1965, Vic is 17, working a summer job at the local newspaper as a copyboy, and getting ready to begin college. Sadly, Mr. Spiro has recently passed away, a loss Vic doesn't really want to deal with. But he has been left one last request by Mr. Spiro - to scatter his ashes at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Against his parents wishes, Vic decides to drive alone from Memphis to New Orleans, armed with the name of the sports editor at the Times-Picayune, a road map, the cash from his last 3 paychecks, and, of course, Mr. Spiro's ashes. He leaves early one the morning, after writing a note for his parents explaining his plan.

In New Orleans, Vic is introduced to a whole new world of people and experiences. Editor Ray Patton is more than happy to help Vic, taking him home to his houseboat for the night. There, Vic also meets Adrienne, Ray's Cajun girlfriend. After helping Vic understand a little about the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico, he puts him in touch with people who really understand those waterways, sending him off to Venice, Louisiana - Fishing Capital of the World - and his friend Captain Henri Moreau, a lifelong river man.

In Venice, Vic meets the Moreau family as they are getting ready to celebrate Captain Moreau's birthday and everyone is pitching in for the fais do-do. Vic is welcomed with open arms and immediately put to work, but it is the very independent Philomene "Phil" Moreau, 18, who really takes charge of him, introducing him to her Cajun world of people who make their living fishing, including a somewhat dangerous ex-boyfriend. Phil loves everything about river life and wants to follow in there father's footsteps.

Reports of a tropical storm had followed Vic from Memphis to the Gulf Coast, but even when it was upgraded to a hurricane, it was expected to stay on the eastern side of Florida. So when Hurricane Betsy suddenly shifts course and heads straight for Gulf Coast, everything changes as people prepare to flee.

I loved Paperboy and wondered if Copyboy, with its six year difference, would measure up. I am happy to say that yes, it does and does not disappoint. Copyboy is written in the same quiet, gentle style that was so appealing and so spot on for relating Victor's story in the first book. Now, Vic is older, but not really very worldly-wise. Because of his stutter, he has lived rather sheltered life, and his parents still treat him like a child. Vic's stutter isn't as much of a problem in this novel. The people he meets just accept it as part of who he is. For his part, Vic, who already loves words and language, finds their Cajun English new and different and wonderful.

Interestingly, it is Ray who suggests to Vic that perhaps Mr. Spiro had tasked him with spreading his ashes at the mouth of the Mississippi is a last parting gift, and it is an idea that Vic continues to think about. By sending Vic on a quest to find the mouth of the Mississippi River and scatter his ashes, Mr. Spiro knew that he was sending him an a new adventure, even if he couldn't envision what that adventure would hold for Vic. From eating raw oysters in a Bourbon Street bar with Ray to his first kiss, Vic experiences an independence in life he's never had before, and yet, he never loses sight of the purpose for his trip.

Copyboy is a compelling coming of age quest story that readers surely won't soon forget. Sure, Vic's journey had plenty of setbacks and some adversaries, but he ultimately figures what Mr. Spiro has been trying to help him understand - how to have a life well-lived.

A word about who this book is for. Paperboy was clearly a middle grade novel, but in Copyboy Vic is 17, and he really hasn't yet had the range of experience most 17-year-old have. He always been introverted and self-conscious about his stutter, and his parents made sure he had a somewhat sheltered life, which has left him slightly more immature than most kids his age. My feeling, therefore, is that this really isn't a strictly YA novel, but one that older middle grade readers will also enjoy reading it. And if you haven't yet read Paperboy, no problem. This is a fine stand alone novel.

This book is recommended for readers age 11+
This book was an EARC received from NetGalley

An exciting story with well-built characters.
When I took it, I did not imagine feeling everything that came to my heart with this reading.
Marvelous, engaging, touching. Compulsory reading for Everyone.

My introduction to Victor Vollmer transpired when I picked up the book PAPERBOY. It was 1959, Memphis, Tennessee, Victor was eleven, a star baseball player, but bedeviled with a bad stutter. When he took over his friend’s paper route he met several interesting people, but it was Mr. Spiro, a former merchant marine, who became a mentor and friend.

COPYBOY - Six years have passed, Victor is seventeen, still stuttering, still playing baseball and planning to attend college in the fall. He has taken a summer job as a copyboy for the Memphis Press-Scimitar. Mr. Spiro has passed on and entrusted Victor with the task of spreading his ashes at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Before leaving for college Victor is determined to complete the special promise he made to his friend.

The characters in this book are so relatable. The story flows well, full of interesting information about Acadian/Cajun heritage, great descriptions of the Mississippi River, believable dialog – a great continuation of Victor’s story.

Thank you Netgalley and Capstone for a copy.

Heartwarming, full of drama, wonder, and persistence, this story was written with love. It will stay with me for a long time. Thank you, Vince Vawter, for a memorable coming of age story!

A very admiral adventure! Great characters, awesome plot! Can't wait to recommend this book! Thank you netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review!

Copyboy is hands-down my favorite young adult novel of 2018! The characters are well-developed and likeable. Victor's trip to fulfill his friend's last request is fascinating. Mr. Vawter's teenage dialogue and emotions are spot on. I felt like I was on the trip with Victor. Copyboy is a book that should be in every middle and high school library. It would a great read aloud or small group discussion selection, and I plan to recommend it for my adult book discussion group. As soon as I finished Copyboy I ordered a copy of Paperboy for my personal collection and can't wait to read it.

"My new way of dealing with my worries at home was to sit in my room and type words other people had written." In "Copyboy" Vince Vawter imparts the rollercoaster journey of life and how we find ourselves throughout all the high and low moments. Seventeen-year-old Victor is a great protagonist that doesn't allow a speech impediment to overcome his desire to fulfill his promise to his deceased neighbor Mr. Spiro. Even if that means traveling far from home to New Orleans....and getting closer to truly discovering himself.

This book really struck a chord with me because author Vince Vawter was able to convey a great expanse of heart and emotion in "Copyboy" within a few pages and put a lifetime of wisdom by the end of the story.
This is a book that all teens or fans of YA readers should pick up.