Boy at the Crossroads
by Mary Ford
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Pub Date Feb 22 2021 | Archive Date Jul 08 2022
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Description
Mary Ford’s debut novel follows a young boy’s journey from jailbird, to teen runaway, to the place he truly belongs, and is based on the true story of her husband’s childhood. “Boy at the Crossroads: From Teenage Runaway to Class President” is layered with nostalgia, and will hit home for fans of The Outsiders and Where the Crawdads Sing.
“It’s hard to explain how our Dad still had control over us. David and I were as big as grown men. But Dad had a way of making us feel small.”
Tennessee, 1955. Conley Ford learned quickly the world’s full of hard knocks. Seeking the wrong kind of excitement, the restless thirteen-year-old falls in with a group of older boys joyriding in stolen Mercury cars…until he is arrested and put on probation. With a harsh father waiting and too embarrassed to face his classmates as a jailbird, the impetuous youth leaves town, making it all the way to New Orleans.
Conley uses his wits and street smarts to commandeer a hot dog cart and make some cash. But when a turf war and a near-fatal accident sends him back home, the resourceful teen faces a choice between staying in misery or once more striking out into a dangerous world. Mary Ford depicts an adolescent who grew up impoverished and with minimal affection, but still found the strength to follow his gut toward something more.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
“Rip-roaring escapades and nostalgic musings in an American coming-of-age adventure.”
– Booklife review
"Boy at the Crossroads," written and listed as fiction, was very factual to me being a classmate of Conley at Halls High School in the late 50's and early 60's. When his family moved to the Halls community from Happy Holler in Knoxville, none of the students were aware of his family dynamics. I knew Conley was a survivor, and now I know why. Anyone who grew up during this time period will be reminded of the blunders of their youth. I wish every adolescent would read "Boy at the Crossroads.: There are lessons to be learned from Conley Ford.”
– David Wayland
“For any youngster who has made some bad choices leading to a life of crime or destruction, Conley's story could possibly be life-changing.”
– Amazon Review
“Coming of age books, especially those that are true, are probably my favorite genre and this one is terrific. It is a well-written story that will appeal to readers of all ages. I found "Boy at the Crossroads" inspiring. The fast-moving pace takes us from the restlessness of a boy born in the early 1940s in eastern Tennessee to a young man in his early twenties. This book demonstrates the value of a strong work ethic better than anything else I have ever read (and I've read a lot). It is not an easy book to put down so get comfortable and enjoy. The journey is well worth the read.”
– Zelly
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781736316412 |
| PRICE | $13.51 (USD) |
