So much stands out in reflection on this book, I scarcely know where to begin.

Grounded in historic Wichita…I’ve not read a work that banked so deftly on history, placenames, people, and aspects of reality quite so effectively. Maybe that’s simply because I am only now coming around to historical realistic fiction.

Or, it may be that I am living outside of Wichita now, and I know many of the locations referenced. It may be that it resonates with me for I was previously so ignorant to the racial tensions and violence that happened then in Wichita. I’m sure Overstake’s use of commercial enterprises and brands of the late 1960’s enhances my experience, as I was about TJ’s age in those days, myself. 

TJ’s personality was authentic, as was his homelife. I really enjoy this character, the quirks in his description of situations and the caustic wit in which he works the world. I’ve not been so reminded of Holden Caulfield (of Catcher in the Rye) in years.

That said, I feel TJ Crowley is more believable and relatable for me. He has good reason to sour to his surroundings, and he’s in much more of a pickle than Caulfield was with his teen angst. Crowley has to struggle with a number of  hardships that make his attitude understandable, even if not always palatable. 

In a very brief span of time, his father seems to have abandoned them, his big brother’s off to fight in Viet Nam, and a complicated racial dynamic springs up right next door. He’s going into junior high, yet another growing pain, and his family financial situation is crippling, too.

It would seem everything is stacked against TJ Crowley, but Overstake has crafted a witty and powerful protagonist who we never stop rooting for. 

Underlying tension is tight as a guitar string. The whole nation is tilting over discrimination and racism. His own neighborhood is ground zero (this side of Hillside) for integration irritations. More tangible and uncomfortable than anything else: his “uncle” Ray has arrived, and every scene he is in made me grit my teeth and keep reading. Bigotry, misogyny, poverty…as well as many other challenging topics…all get fair and credible treatment in Overstake’s Wichita. 

I am certain the cross burnings and references to episodes of violence were all carefully researched. I found the book to be very believable, and I’m now eager to cruise around that neighborhood, myself, and imagine where TJ lived and how it looked in his day. 

The Real Education of TJ Crowley is likely tagged as a young adult novel, but I’d say only due to the protagonist. Otherwise, the book’s themes resonate with all ages. Anyone seeking a refreshing, personal perspective on social justice should run to the bookstore and pick up a copy today.