KIRKUS REVIEWS

Isom, George Hemingway

What Is That Boy Going
To Do Next?: A Memoir

At age 13, Isom, an African-American boy growing up in St. Louis, decided he could not abide school any longer. Manipulating his loving but distant mother, his separated alcoholic father and his father’s live-in significant other, Isom became a truant. He worked odd jobs, returned to school when caught by the authorities, then, at age 14, just a few months after the end of World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy. Placed in an all African-American unit for boot camp in Bainbridge, MD, Isom labored to fit in despite his unworldliness. He tells of being posted to Boston by the Navy; receiving an assignment on the troop transport ship U.S.S. General A.E. Anderson; sailing to San Francisco, Hawaii, China, the Philippines, and Japan; and looking for love during shore leaves. Choosing to go absent without permission, he and a shipmate end up court-martialed and imprisoned by military authorities. The consequences are grim, as Isom serves his time, then joins the crew of the U.S.S. Shelton, a destroyer. He leaves the military a veteran at just 16 years of age. Upon returning to St. Louis, he renews his family ties but sees no reason to remain for the rest of his life. Seemingly restless without end, he hits the road again, finding employment, giving it up, moving on. In 1951, he marries and settles down. It is only in an author's note after the narrative ends that readers learn that he eventually earned a doctorate and became a professional educator in New York.

A capably written account by a teacher who hopes to reach today’s troubled, nonconformist youth.

COMMENTS

"I just finished reading your memoir, and it certainly was a page turner! It was great to learn about your coming of age. I've recommended the book to others. I hope your adventures continue. I'm so glad to have read your book. It's inspiring to me. Time will tell if I will launch myself forward as you did to pursue life, experience, and adventure."
-Dahni-El Giles (Attorney) 

"I just finished reading your memoir. The experience has inspired me to remain positive and supportive of my only grandchild who is in his first year of college, struggling to find his way. It has also fostered the determination to always be a good listener. Individuals who seemed to impact your life the most, listened well, provided encouragement based on your voice and not their own. As I read I kept thinking how powerful life can be when lived beyond the boundaries others set for us!!!!! One last thing, there are times that book titles don't reflect the text. However, in this case I found myself asking the question out loud," What is that boy going to do next?"
-Katherine Corbett, Pastor and retired Junior High School Principal