The Moves Make the Man

The Moves Make the Man by Bruce Brooks
Published in 1984 by Trophy Newbery
280 pages
Warning: This book contains language and lots of sports. If you don't like sports, I would not suggest this book.
Genre: Sports, Multicultural

Jerome decides, over the summer, to write the story of his friend Bix. Jerome is black and Bix is white. Jerome finds out he is chosen to be integrated into a white school, where he is desperate to try out for the basketball team. Unfortunately, he is not allowed to play on the team because of the prejudice from the coach. Jerome discovers Bix playing basketball one night, and starts to teach him the game. Bix is a baseball player, and learns how different baseball and basketball can be.


This book was interesting at one part when the coach of the basketball team does not want a Black player on the team, despite his incredible talent. But, the boys on the team beg and persuade the coach to accept a Black student on the team because they recognize the team needs his exceptional talent. I love the students and what an example they are to the coach, to put aside prejudice and racism and pay attention to the core and goodness of a person rather then the color of their skin. Young people are a powerful force in the world, and they can be a powerful example to adults when adults are unwilling to open their eyes to what really matters.

This book was a little difficult for me because I am not a sports fan. I often felt lost amidst the dialog because of the sports terms, they did not interest me or catch my attention as they would the attention of a sports fan.