Black Holes And Basketball Shoes Book Analysis

The story Black Holes and Basketball Shoes by Lori Aurelia Williams is based very closely on experiences from her child hood. The story revolves around a teenager named Malik, and his self perceived need for a new wardrobe. He just moved to Houston with his single mother and brothers and sisters, he has had a hard time fitting in even if he is a smart and nice kid. Things are different than where he came from, in Houston it's all about nice clothing and shoes, which Malik lacked. He is bullied for his wardrobe and he would do anything for a new pair of "JC Jumpers", and he almost does. Carl, an enormous yet nice ninth grader who lives next to him is in a gang called the bullets wants to help Malik get new gear, and do it by beating up a basketball player and taking his clothes. This provides Malik with a moral dilemma, take the shoes or don't, this helps him develop a strong character. The perception of Malik and Carl to the reader change greatly over the course of beginning to end.

The perceived character, morals, and values of Carl and Malik at the beginning of the story contrast greatly to the end of the story. At the beginning you see Malik as a nice innocent
They see Malik's morals and values sway as he is tempted to take the JC Jumpers, even when he say the horrible thing that was done to get them. His gut tells him that he could never take those shoes, but there is a voice in his head saying, "Nobody is going to use them, they will just go to waste." In a position like this he could ask Carl what to do, but he's seen Carl's true colors show, he is a gang member who commits brutal crimes and has no remorse. Malik's "big brother" is gone and replaced with a thug. The attack and robbery at the basketball court shows Carl for who he really is and gives a small peek at a layer of Malik's character that had not been