"SHOES" by Russell Andrews

Then she looked down at my hands and saw the shoes. “Junior, what are those?” she said. “Honey, I told you that we would have to wait.” “Wait a minute Mama,” I told her. “That man said I could have them.” Mama looked around, “Man? What man?” I turned and pointed to where he was, but he was gone.  - Junior, SHOES
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Based on actual events, SHOES  is the first book of a planned trilogy. It is the story of Junior, an 11 year-old African American boy from inner-city Houston. A kind, responsible and resilient young man, Junior overcomes the tragic loss of his father in a fire that destroyed their home and left him with burns that threatened his ability to ever walk again. After multiple surgeries and seemingly endless hours of physical therapy, Junior assumes the role of “man of the house.”

 

Every chapter in SHOES contains actual moments in my life: The Williamson’s, the bus rides and that special day in the “store.” The “store” was a Salvation Army Thrift Store that my mom, my brother, and I regularly shopped at when I was a young boy. It was once a White’s Auto Parts that fell victim to gentrification and several economic shifts in the community. I liked browsing through secondhand shops and still do to this day. I was fortunate to be in this one on this particular day. It was here that I met yet never spoke to Junior.

 

With SHOES, the story in these 36 free-flowing pages is that of a young black boy navigating life with hope and optimism. Fatherless, physically challenged and with every reason in the world to give up, Junior will engage the readers as they become voyeurs and feel good as they witness ‘the hood’ through Junior’s eyes. They’ll see his village of support and will be genuinely uplifted by this young man whose courage and determination are far greater than his circumstances.

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THE DREAM

Selected public and private readings have been wonderful. Emotional, Uplifting and Clarity of Characters are words most commonly used to describe the story, and for this I'm humbled and grateful. As stated, this book is the first of a planned trilogy, that ideally I'd like to have on school reading lists, with the ultimate goal being the animated film SHOES.

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FUNDING

Any amount is appreciated. All money raised will go towards completing the artwork, publishing, printing, merchandising and marketing.


$ 0 - $50                  Acknowledgement in "Special Thanks" page of book

$50 - $100             Acknowledgement and limited edition SHOES coffee mug

$200  and up        Acknowledgement, limited edition SHOES coffee mug, Autographed copy of SHOES